XXVIIth Olympics September 2000 |
Christopher Dodd reports from Penrith Lakes especially for the Rowing Service |
Olympic Preview
The hot news from Penrith Lakes, site of the Olympic regatta nestling below the
foothills of the Blue Mountains, is that Marty Aitken, the coach from Melbourne
who once reigned at the University of London and is now Swiss national coach,
has changed sex. According to the Olympic news service, that is, whose editors
refer to Marty as "she". I can report, however, that a personal sighting on a
bus reveals that Marty remains his old moustachioed self, eyes darting and
uttering his customary terse one-liners.
This is a stunning course, pristine and eagerly awaiting proceedings to start
in the eight-day regatta. The 14 events are in two groups of seven which
leapfrog each other through heats, repechages, semi-finals and culminating in
finals on September 23 and 24. Everything was tested in races for spares - some
of them reluctant - on Saturday, and if Brits are looking for an omen, Debbie
Flood, the Nations Cup champion, won the singles by a street. The commentator,
whose name I have diplomatically forgotten, better learn hers.
There are 197 crews from 51 countries. The US has entries in all events, while
Australia and Germany have 12 boats each and GB 10, split evenly between men
and women.
It is fingers crossed time for the weather. September is Sydney's windiest
month and statistically the worst cross winds on the lake are in this week of
the year. Hence the streamlining of the boats now used by the British team, and
copious plans by FISA to ameliorate unfair conditions, plans which they are
reluctant to share, but could include changes to the schedule, changes to
lanes, or even time trials. At the British Olympic Association press conference
on Thursday Pinsent and Foster reported a glass surface at every visit since
the four arrived from the British camp on Queensland's Gold Coast - whereas the
Italians have been complaining of unrowable water and retiring to ergs.
However, it is interesting to hear from a very experienced former Olympic
champion from Australia that Penrith can be unfair even in light breezes. He
favours the grandstand side, facing the camera as you see it on tv.
Apart from the blow of injury to Tim Male which has brought Tom Middleton into
the lightweight double, the British team seems to be in good shape and good
heart. The draw - which is now selected along Henley lines to separate those
with the best track records apart - has pitched the men's eight, four and pair
against their Aussie opponents in the first round, adding piquancy for us to an
already spicy prospect.
The other piece of hot news is that the Aussie four has changed its seating
order in the last few days, with Ben Dodwell now in the two seat in tandem with
Geoff Stewart at three. It is open house on whether they are rattled or on a
roll.
Matt Pinsent, voted flag carrier at the opening ceremony by the whole British
team, performed in the manner in which we expect. He made it round the massive
stadium majestically holding the Union flag in one hand and with straight arm,
following Redgrave's example of 1992 and 1996. Perhaps a sculler would be
allowed two hands under the credo started by Matt in 1992 when he bet Steve
that he couldn't do it straight armed. For once in his life on Friday, Matt had
no option.
Click here for the British crews' first draw of racing.
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