THE LONG ECLIPSE OF AMERICAN ROWING Official Report XVIII Olympiad United States Men’s Eight 1964 Olympic Champion, Toda Bashi USA 6:18.23, GER 6:23.29, TCH 6:25.10, YUG 6:27. 14, SOV 6:30.69, ITA 6:42.77 ago,5066 surged to victory by a length and a quarter in 6 minutes 18.23 seconds.”5067 Conn Findlay5068 was watching the eights final with interest. Not only was he rooting for his American teammates, but he also had a friend in the German boat. Findlay: “Stan Pocock and his father have talked about how we had ceased to be dominant in Olympic rowing after 1956, how we went into our dry spell when the U.S. college crews stopped focusing on the three-mile race. “They thought that the type of training you do for the three-mile race was what made us such good sprinters, and that was confirmed to me by Ratzeburg’s 6-man, Karl von Groddeck.5069 “He was second to us in the pairs in 1956 down in Australia, and I got to know him. He was a journalist, very likeable guy, and after the races in 1964 I was with him, and he said, ‘You know what Karl forgot to 5066 See Chapter 90. 5067 Georg N. Meyers, Vesper, Seattle Oarsmen Win, The Seattle Times, October 16, 1964 5068 See Chapter 82. 5069 See Chapter 92. 5070 Findlay, personal conversation, 2005 do? He forgot to take the long rows. It wasn’t part of our program.’ “Adam believed you didn’t need a 2,000 meter body of water to train on. You could train if you only had 500.”5070 Over the years, Vesper stroke Bill Stowe has kept in touch with von Groddeck, and he has heard a similar story. Stowe: “[Ratzeburg] had resumed a vigorous training schedule following its victory in Amsterdam. Adam believed improvement was a necessity for Ratzeburg to stay on top of the rowing world, and he allowed his crew no time off. He hammered away at achieving faster 500-meter times, becoming obsessive, falling into the trap of ‘more is better.’ “Adam and von Groddeck differed on the crew’s rigorous training. ‘You come with a suitcase full of energy in the springtime, and you take it out bit by bit. “‘But you must leave something for the race – not take everything out too early. 1401