Friday May 14th 2021
In the shadow of the flagship
The quiet return of the women’s eight
The German women’s eight had disappeared from the scene for years. But after silver at the European Championship last year, the team is now even hoping for an exclamation point in Tokyo. It would also be a step out of the shadow of the men in the Germany eight.
The fascination, the enthusiasm or the great interest of the public – the Germany eighth has long got used to all of this. While the flagship outshines almost everything in German rowing, the women’s eight had long disappeared from the scene. At the Olympic Games, however, the team now wants to build on previous successes – and step out of the shadows of the men.
It’s about getting the boat moving, “so that at some point there will be a murmur through the crowd when the women’s eighth passes by,” says crew member Marie-Catherine Arnold. The successes, the standing, but above all the achievements of the parade boat in the men’s area are “of course something you want to get to. But that is not what we want today.”
Participation in Tokyo could give a “boost”
The focus is initially on the final regatta in Lucerne and on qualifying for the summer games from July 23 to August 8. With five other nations, including European champions Romania, the German women will fight for the last two tickets in the final on Monday. Participation in Tokyo would be a “very good sign” and could give “a boost”, believes Arnold.
It is by no means a matter of course that there is now a realistic chance. For a long time, the women’s eight was considered a problem child in the German Rowing Association (DRV). The great times, for example with gold medals at world championships or Olympic bronze in 1992, are long gone. The last great success with World Cup gold in Milan was now 18 years ago, the world leaders had hurried.
Success creates euphoria
With the completely surprising trip to European Championship silver, the women’s eight reported back last year. This success brought “more euphoria”, says Arnold, “and made it clear to us that the goal of the Olympic Games is realistic and not a dream.” In Rio, the big boat wasn’t even there, but the worries in the women’s strap area have given way to confidence.
The relocation to the federal base in Potsdam around two years ago brought new momentum. In the Australian Tom Morris, there is also a national coach who brings a “different approach” and “different focus”, explains Arnold. The women’s belt area was previously “not approached in such a focused manner. There is now another train in it.”
Tokyo is actually not even the primary goal, the project is rather aimed at the Games in Paris in 2024 – this applies to the two-man, the four-man and especially the eight-man. “But in the last few weeks I’ve seen a very positive development that I’m very happy about,” says Morris. The way out of the shadows of men is getting shorter.
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