Fourth European Rowing Championships conclude in Montemor-o-Velho, Portugal

The 2010 European Rowing Championships, the first regatta organised on the new Montemor-o-Vehlo rowing course, showed high standing racing.  Different teams took different approaches to this regatta; for a large number of rowers it was the last test before the World Championships in New Zealand early November.  For others, as the Polish Men's Quadruple scull who took the European Champion title today, it was an "end of season regatta" as they will now take a break before starting the important Olympic qualifying year in 2011. Great Britain was noticeably absent from this European event having chosen to concentrate on the World Rowing Championships preparation.

Overall, Germany impressed with five gold medals amongst which the Men's eight where Poland, the 2009 European Champions take silver and Ukraine bronze. In the Women's eight, the tradition was respected with Romania taking gold. Earlier in the day, Camelia Lupascu and Nicoleta Albu had already won the European title in the women's pair, doubling up in both events.

Another expected podium line-up was to be seen in the Women's single sculls with Ekaterina Karsten (BLR), taking gold, in front of Mirka Knapkova (CZE) and Frida Svensson (SWE).  In the absence of Norway's Olaf Tufte who withdrew from the men's single race yesterday due to medical reasons, final Rowing World Cup winner, Ondrej Synek (CZE) confirmed his series of wins in all major races of the season; Lassi Karonen (SWE) takes silver and Karl Schulze gave Germany yet another medal earning bronze.

Other highlights of these European Championships were the very comfortable win of Alexandra Tsiavou and Christina Giazitzudou of Greece, a second European title in a row for the World champions, and the silver medal for the home-country's Pedro Fraga and Nuno Mendes after an exciting race won by Germany and a third place for France in front of a very enthusiastic grandstand.

This was the fourth edition of the recently reinstated European Rowing Championships. The Championship will be held next year in Plovdiv, Bulgaria from 16 to 18 September.

The organization of the 2012 edition was awarded yesterday during the General Assembly of European Rowing Federations to the Lombard city of Varese, in Italy.

In addition, the General Assembly attributed the first-ever 2011 European Rowing Junior Championships to Kruszwica, Poland and the second European Rowing Junior Championships in 2012 to Bled in Slovenia.

For full race reports and information about the event go to
www.worldrowing.com .