Part 3 The British at last 1946-1962 May 23rd 1946 — Montreux 42nd ordinary FISA congress s- Delegates from ten federations (BEL DEN FRA NED ITA NOR FOR SUI SWE TCH) were present. This first post-war congress was convened by the secreta ry-treasurer in his domain on the banks of Lake Geneva. The affiliation of the Norwegian and Swedish federations was accepted. The striking-off of the German and Japa nese federations was ratified. On the other hand, the Ita lians, having reconstituted their federation, resumed their place. Following the agreement between its two national asso ciations, the ARA and the NARA, there was nothing further to prevent Britain from shortly becoming a mem ber of FISA. Four federations submitted bids to organize the 1947 European championships (FRA NED FOR SUI). The prevailing difficult economic conditions made Switzer land the obvious choice, to the advantage of all concer ned. To ensure the success of this reunion, financial help was granted by the Swiss federation, supplemented by a contribution from FISA. Rico Fiorino and Gaston Miillegg were confirmed in offi ce as president and secretary-general. August 27th 1947 — Lucerne 43rd ordinary FISA congress Present: 33 delegates from 18 federations. Rico Fioroni, the FISA president from Lucerne, welco med the delegates on his home ground. The meeting took place in the town hall. Many veterans were there: Jacques Spreux, Victor de Bisschop and Prosper de Sa- huguet, representing Belgium; Mario Rossi for Italy; Hans Walter and Hans Hottinger for Switzerland; Fran cois Widimsky for Czechoslovakia; and Roger Verey for Poland. All were proud to welcome Great Britain into FISA. At last, after so many attempts, FISA could count among its members the country which was the birthpla ce of modern rowing. Three great champions, Guy 0. Nickalls, Jack Beresford and the president of Henley, Harcourt Gold, were the first British delegates. They were warmly welcomed. It must be explained that the two associations, the Amateur Rowing Association, the 94 ARA, with its 196 clubs and its 26,669 members, and the National Amateur Rowing Association, the NARA, with its 108 clubs and 6,493 members, had reached agreement to found the British Amateur Rowing Asso ciation, which was eligible for recognition by FISA. Australia, with its 89 clubs and 4,074 members, was also admitted, and the Austrian federation was readmit ted. A French proposal to introduce womens rowing was re jected once more. The annual subscription was to be 350 Swiss francs. FISA would give financial help towards transporting to the Swiss frontier boats given by the Swiss federation to the depleted Belgian, French and Dutch clubs. August 29th—31st 1947 — Lucerne 39th men’s European championships The Rotsee was either discovered or rediscovered with joy and delight. Each race was followed by at least three launches, the first carrying the umpire, the second his stand-by, and the third a radio transmitter. The commen tary was in several languages, keeping spectators infor med of the progress of the races until the crew came wit hin their field of vision. The course was marked out by small buoys made of cork, attached at 50 metre intervals to a submerged me tal cable. The finish judges were isolated from the pub lic, in their hut built on piles, with the most up-to-date ti ming and checking equipment. Sadly, the federal rail ways had been unable to restore the “grandstand train” of 1934, which had run along the railway line beside the lake on the bank opposite to the boat-house. The radio commentary from the boat would to some extent make up for that disappointment. Eliminators and repechages The weather was perfect. The very fair rules ensured that no crew would be eliminated unless it had been bea ten twice. This meant that only the winner of each elimi nating heat would go forward to the final; the rest would race again the next day, to bring the number of finalists to six.
