Preliminary report EUC Rowing

The selected crew of the men's eight is made up of Rupert Pretzler (bow position), Moritz Kopp, Lenz Kiefer, Jan Lukas Harder, Johann Fox, Simon Gessler, Adrian Elter, Adrian Seiler (bow position) and coxswain Linda Kromer. The lightweight women's double scull is at least as strong with Luise Möller (stroke position) and Nina Öhlckers (bow position). Both boats will be flying the colors of Karlsruhe University Sports in Sweden at the beginning of September, 03.09 to 08.09.

Both boats worked meticulously on their physical condition during the winter, whether in the gym, on the ergometer or in the rowing boat in icy winter temperatures. Over the course of the season, the team proved itself in many facets of rowing. In the men's team, a quadruple scull and a single scull with a focus on the DHM attended and successfully competed in various regattas. In addition, Rupert Pretzler took part in all of the U23 team's selection regattas in order to recommend himself for the national team.

Throughout July and August, the focus was on the two target boats for Sweden so that as many kilometers as possible could be rowed together in the last eight weeks. With a final training weekend in Breisach, the eight around stroke Rupert Pretzler feels ready to set Lake Jönköping on fire. The Karlsruhe team has not yet been able to gain any experience in the men's eight at the EUC, as several fours have competed successfully at these championships in recent years. However, the men's eight is in a class of its own. It is therefore difficult to make a prediction for the upcoming championship.

In addition, it would be possible for athletes from national squads to take part in the championships, as they do not coincide with the world championships this year. This means that the standard could be significantly higher than in previous years. Nevertheless, the eight's goal is to take part in the final and, with a bit of luck, win a medal. The situation is similar in the lightweight women's double sculls. No lightweight women from Karlsruhe have competed in recent years, making it difficult to assess their performance against the competition. Nevertheless, the final is the clear goal and anything beyond that is definitely within the realms of possibility.

All in all, the motivation and anticipation among the Karlsruhe rowers is great. Especially because this time they are going to Sweden with such a large squad of 11 athletes. Both boats are eager to compete in a thrilling final and measure themselves against the other European universities and colleges.

Now it's time to keep their fingers crossed and make efficient use of the last few weeks to be fit to the point.