To ensure this success, various sub-committees had been set up to handle the preparations, dealing with management, finance, the budget, the course and tech nical installations, decorations, hospitality, accommoda tion, the camp-site, sports, press and publicity, medical cover, entertainment and outings. All their offices were housed from the beginning of August in the vast hall of the Chamber of Commerce. It was well signposted in four languages (English, German, French and Italian), lighting was provided at night, as were courtesy cars, a constant ’bus service, a snack bar, public telephones, a “bureau de change”, a booking office for rail, boat and ’plane tickets, 18 interpreters for all languages, 21 hel pers, one of whom was assigned to each of the national teams, typists in the four main languages, message boys and policeman. The chairmen of each of the committees gave up all personal engagements from August 10th in order to devote their entire attention to the champion ships. Among many technical innovations was the photo electric timing system set up by experts from Longines. After the official banquet in the main room of the town hall, the presentation of prizes was preceded by a con cert and followed by a ball and a firework display on the quai de Breuil. March 29th 1952 — Cannes Extraordinary FISA congress Present: 24 delegates from 18 federations A more satisfactory elimination system for FISA regattas was worked out. The Dutch plan, which had been tried out at the 1949 European championships and improved by the commission, was finally adopted. The advantages were that it gave the following guarantees: no crew would be eliminated without having been beaten at least twice; and as far as was possible, depending on the draw, none would race twice against the same opponents. M. Pesliak, the vice-president of the Soviet Supreme Council of Physical Culture and Sport, requested and obtained affiliation as an extraordinary member for the rowing association of his country. This was accepted by 30 votes to 7. The affiliation of the New Zealand federation would be ratified by the FISA council to enable its team to com pete in the 1952 Olympic regatta, if this were deemed to be in accordance with the rules. A commission was appointed to revise the Statutes, FISA Rules of Racing and Regulations for European champi onships, so that these might keep pace with FISA’s ex pansion. Hendrik Bruyn (NED), Massimo Giovannetti (ITA), Pierre Graux (FRA), Karl Mueller, in place of Hans Walter (SUI) and Jacques Spreux (BEL), would meet under the chairmanship of the president of FISA on November 20th and 21st at Montreux. July 18th 1952 — Helsinki 48th ordinary FISA congress Present: 65 delegates from 33 federations, a record number. In spite of Gaston Muellegg’s declaration of his intention to retire, the outgoing council was re-elected by acclamation. However, he insisted on the federation’s finding a successor for him, so that he could gradually be trained. As the IOC had not yet taken a decision over the admis sion of East Germany, whose request had anyway arrived too late, the matter was deferred. The Finnish federation was made an ordinary member. July 20—23rd 1952 - Helsinki Games of the XVth Olympiad Out of 37 federations affiliated to FISA, 33 took part in the races. Qualifying heats July 20th - eliminators: The first two in each heat went forward to the semifinals. July 21st, am: - first repechages: The winners to race the losers of the semifinals on the 22nd. The other competi tors were eliminated. July 21st, pm: the winners went forward to the finals. July 22nd: Second repechages, the winners of which went to finals. 4 + : 17 started El: 1. FRA 2. URS 3. ITA 4. ESP 5. FIN Eli: 1. USA 2. GBR 3. DEN 4. EGY Fill: 1. TCH 2. NOR 3. NED 4. JPN EIV: 1. SUI 2. ARG 3. FRG 4. NZL 1RI: 1. ITA 2. NZL 3. JPN 1RII: 1. DEN 2. FRG 3. ESP 1RIII: 1. FIN 2. NED 3. EGY 1/2 FI: 1. USA 2. FRA 3. NOR 4. ARG 1/2 FEE: 1. TCH 2. SUI 3. GBR 4. URS 2RI: 1. FIN 2. URS 3. FRA 2RII: 1. SUI 2. ITA 3. ARG 2RIII: 1. GBR 2. NOR 3. DEN 2-: 16 started El: 1. SUI 2. GBR 3. BEL 4. USA In this heat were four crews who would all qualify for the final. The eventual winner came last. Eli: 1. AUS 2. DEN 3. ITA - POL (eliminated) Fill: 1. NED 2. ARG 3. SAR 4. URS EIV: 1. SWE 2. FRA 3. FRG 1RI: 1. BEL 2. URS 3. ITA 4. FIN 1RII: 1. USA 2. POL 3. SAR - FRG (scratched) 1/2 FI: 1. SUI 2. AUS 3. FRA 4. ARG 1/2 ED: 1. GBR 2. NED 3. SWE 4. DEN 2RI: 1. USA 2. DEN 3. AUS 2RII: 1. BEL 2. ARG 3. NED 2RIII: 1. FRA 2. SWE Part 3 103
