THE SUNSET OF CONIBEAR Perry: “In the USA, we had always rowed and trained for longer distances such as a mile and three-quarters, two and even three miles. We only raced the 2,000 meter European distance four times in four years [at the Eastern Sprints]!”4110 The New York Times: “America’s traditional Olympic supremacy came to an end in another sport today as Germany’s Ditmarsia Kiel / Ratzeburger Eight-Oared Crew4111 won the Gold Medal over a 2,000 meter course on Lake Albano beneath the summer palace of Pope John XXIII, in the second fastest time ever made in the quadrennial games. “The Germans went out in front immediately. At 500 meters, Canada was only a deck back, followed by Czechoslovakia, the United States, France and Italy. “At the halfway mark, Canada was still hanging on, a third of a length back. Czechoslovakia was less than a length to the rear. France had gone ahead of the United States. “At the 1,500-meter mark, Canada’s University of British Columbia Eight was no more than half a length behind Germany. The rest of the field was out of contention. “Then the Canadians, raising their beat, came on beautifully and took the lead. This was 300 meters or less from the finish. The German Eight showed its great striking power in magnificent unison. From 41, it went up to 45. With each stroke the Germans gained. “A hundred meters from the finish Canada faded, and the Ditmarsia Kiel / Ratzeburger oarsmen went slamming across the line the winner by open water in 5:57.1. “Several of them bent over their oars from the tremendous final effort. 4110 Perry, personal correspondence, 2006 4111 See Chapter 91. “Had conditions here been as fast as at Lucerne – [a month earlier, they had posted a 5:47.4 there in a tailwind] – the Germans might have been well under the 5:56.7 that California made in the 1948 Olympics [on a decidedly short course at Henley]. There was considerable wind earlier in the day. When the eights went to the water, the wind died down, and the water was almost flat. “The United States Naval Academy crew, never better than fourth in the field of six, finished nearly three lengths back. “Since 1920, the United States had won the eight-oared championship eight times in succession, Navy crews triumphing in 1920 and 1952. “Although the Middies’ defeat today was not unexpected, as they had been beaten by Canada in the heats and had to qualify for the final in the repêchage or second-chance race, as had Yale’s 1956 champions, their failure to finish better than fifth came as a shock.”4112 The Ratzeburg viewpoint: “It was a flat calm when the final of the Eights took place. We had great faith in ourselves thanks to our win in the European Championships, and we wanted to prove ourselves. “America had in their favour an unbeaten record in the Olympic Eights, but our tactics against America were already worked out. We suddenly woke up and realized this eight from Canada was to be watched. We led from the start, having a hard struggle with Canada, and it was only by the 1,000 metres that we could take half a length off them. “In spite of powerful spurts by Canada, we got another second’s lead by the 1,500 metres. When we put on the final spurt, our lead increased to 4.4 seconds. A long way 4112 Allison Danzig, German Eight Triumphs, With Navy Finishing Fifth, The New York Times, September 4, 1960 1135
