Rowing at the 1912 Summer Olympics - Men's eights

The men's eights was a rowing event held as part of the Rowing at the 1912 Summer Olympics programme. It was the fourth appearance of the event. The competition was held from Wednesday, July 17, 1912 to Friday, July 19, 1912.

Ninety-nine rowers from eight nations competed.

Medalists

Heat 3: 12.40 p.m. The German crew, which forced Germany's best eight, was in front all the time. The Hungarians rowed at a slower pace than their opponents during the whole of the race; they had a nice recovery but could get no good grip of the water and used the slide incorrectly, pushing it before the body. The Germans, on the other hand, rowed in clean English style, even if they had not the same extraordinarily rapid grip of the water and the swift, easy recovery possessed by their models. The Germans, too, were physically the superior of their opponents, and, before any long time had elapsed, their energetic efforts gave them such a lead that, at the boat-house, more than two lengths separated the boats. All the efforts of the Hungarians were in vain and the Germans won quite easily.

Heat 6: 1.40 p.m. The Swedish boat raced without opponent.

Quarterfinal 3: 4.20 p.m. Both crews started very well, Australia retaining its speed of about 40 for the whole of the race, while "Leander" was content with 36-34, the figures sometimes falling to 32. "Sydney" put all its weight into its stroke and led by a half length at the 1,000 metres mark. The time for half distance was 3:02; these figures showing the speed at which the boats were moving. At the boat-house Australia led and took the inner curve a clear length ahead. At this point, however, Philip Fleming began a terrific spurt, which resulted in his opponents# lead being diminished at the bridge to only half a length. The Australian eight now began to row somewhat raggedly and showed other signs of fatigue; "Leander", on the contrary, beginning another magnificent spurt which lasted until the winning post was passed. Roger Fitzhardinge was not sufficiently supported by his men, so that the half length by which Australia led at the bridge was snatched out of its hands. The two boats lay side by side 100 metres from the finish, but "Leander" stayed better, and the English style allowed of more being got of the spurt, so that the British boat won by about three metres.

Final

The final was held on Friday, July 19.

Final: 6 p.m. The two boats rowed side by side until the 1,000 metres mark was passed, when "Leander" spurted in order to neutralize Robert Bourne's efforts at the bath-house, where "New College" had the inner curve. Then Philip Fleming pressed his men from the bath-house to the brisge, so that "Leander" led by a clear length at the latter place, all Robert Bourne's efforts being unable to prevent "New College" from falling behind. "Leander" won by about a length.

References

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