2 x: 1. DEN 2. ITA 3. FRA 4. NED 5. GBR The Dutch were unable to retain their title. Not for one minute did the British Olympic champions pose a threat. 8 +: 1. ITA 2. TCH 3. NED 4. FRA 5. SWE The Italians were not pressed, confirming the overall su periority of the transalpine oarsmen. The followers of the races on the two roads running alongside the Bosbaan fell into three categories. The first consisted of large cars, radio-cars, ’buses and the mobile grandstands. The second was composed of ordinary cars, and the third, on the lower level, of cyclists. The swarm of cyclists was a marvellous sight, moving in im peccable ranks, keeping to a straight fine, bolt upright on their large cycles, with not a single collision throughout the entire three days of the regatta. Numbers were allot ted to the ’bus'es and cars, and after every race each of them took up its appointed place behind the escorting police cars and motorcycle combinations. An amusing detail: the Italians had forgotten to bring along the recording of their national anthem; to the con sternation of the regatta organisers an hour before the fi nals, in which the former appeared to have every chance of doing well. The Italian officials were hastily assem bled to record an unaccompanied version of their na tional anthem. The result was very good, and when the official record was finally flown in, in response to a tele phone call, the improvised version had already heralded two Italian triumphs. August 29th 1950 — Milan 1st FISA umpire’s seminar Most of the candidates obtained their international um pire’s licence, valid until December 31st 1951. From then onwards only the holders of this licence could offici ate at Olympic regattas or European championships. August 30th 1950 — Milan 46th oridnary FISA congress Present: 33 delegates from 18 federations Mario Rossi, the former secretary-treasurer, was still a member of the Italian delegation, to the delight of his many friends. The rules for women’s international regattas were adopt ed. In order to take part in international regattas, every women’s rowing club had to belong to a national federa tion which was a member of FISA. Four boat classes were recognised: lx, 2x, 4+ and 8 +. The race distance was to be 1,000 metres. For the 1952 Olympic Games, the FISA commission, af ter visiting three possible stretches of water, recommend ed the Meilahti rowing course, three kilometres from the Olympic stadium. It was not entirely sheltered from the wind, but the Finnish federation was prepared to install a string of buoys, to act as a sort of breakwater protecting the course from waves. After deliberation, the delegates approved this rowing course on condition, however, that, 100 in case of bad weather, and dependant on the decision of the FISA council, the regatta might be postponed until such time as racing could take place in conditions which would guarantee fairness. The Finnish federation was asked to organise an international regatta on this course in 1951, and this was agreed to by the delegation. Although for many the readmission of the German fed eration still remained unthinkable, at the request of Dr. Walter Wuelfing, the president of that federation, Ger man oarsmen would be allowed to compete against those of other nations, provided that the invitation to them was mentioned in the regatta’s advance programme. By as many as 25 votes in favour, 4 against and 9 absten tions, the Union of Saarland Rowing Clubs was accepted as a member. Any crew wishing to take part in international regattas abroad had to be entered by its national federation. Sanctions were provided for. Any offending club would be suspended for a time to be determined in each case. Any club accepting an entry which was not made by the national federation would be banned from organising in ternational regattas. Every international regatta was re quired to submit a report to the FISA council within twenty days. September 1st—4th 1950 — Milan 41st men’s European championships Very closely-fought races, on an ideal regatta course. Eliminating heats and repechages 4 + : 7 started El: 1. ITA 2. ESP 3. FRA Eli: 1. DEN 2. SUI 3. NED 4. BEL R. 1. NED 2. FRA 3. BEL 2-: 5 started - No eliminators lx: 8 started EL 1. DEN 2. NED 3. FRA 4. BEL Eli: 1. SUI 2. ITA 3. YUG 4. EGY R: 1. BEL 2. FRA 3. GRE 4. ESP 2 +: 9 started El: 1. ITA 2. DEN 3. BEL 4. FRA 5. YUG Eli: 1. SUI 2. SWE 3. GRE 4. ESP R: 1. FRA 2. YUG 3. EGY 4. BEL 4-: 7 started EL 1. ITA 2. YUG 3. NED 4. SUI Eli: 1. NOR 2. DEN 3. FRA R: 1. SUI 2. NED 3. FRA 2x: 6 started - No eliminators 8 + : 8 started El: 1. ITA 2. NED 3. AUT 4. POL Eli: 1. GBR 2. DEN 3. FRA 4. BEL R: 1. AUT 2. POR 3. FRA 4. BEL
