The races 4 +: 3 started 1. BEL 2. ITA - FRA (stopped 40 metres before the finish) The Belgians scored a narrow victory after a lengthy neck and neck struggle with the Italians from Bari. 2x: 3 started 1. FRA 2. BEL 3. ALS-LOR After 300 metres, Deltour and Vedrenne had a two- length lead, which they increased to five at the finish. lx: 3 started 1. FRA 2. BEL 3. ITA After 500 metres, Edmond de Laet from Antwerp was leading by half a length, when Prevel, the holder of the title, drew level, overtook him, and went on to win easily. 2 +: 4 started 1. FRA 2. BEL 3. ITA 4. ALS-LOR An unexciting race. The finishing order established itself right from the first few metres. The Belgians, de Somville and Van Combrugge, were rowing in their second race of the day, after their victory in the 4 +, and seemed happy just to follow the winners in an attempt to conserve their strength for their third race, the 8 +. 8 +: 2 started 1. BEL 2. FRA Only two crews, but a bitter contest. At half way, the French led by a third of a length. A hundred metres from the finish, the Belgians led by a few metres. The French came back, only to lose by 50 centimetres. the secretary-treasurer, Louis Capuccio, before being elected by ac clamation to succeed him. He acted frequently as race umpire or finish judge at European championships between 1896 and 1920. He retired in 1923, through ill health. August 17th 1901 — Zurich 9th European championships Following Geneva, Zurich was the second Swiss city to organise the European championships. Its magnificent lake provided a perfect course. The already well-known “See-Club” lent prestige to the annual FISA rowing festival. The races 4 +: 5 started 1. ITA 2. BEL 3. ALS-LOR 4. FRA - SUI (Not rowed out / boat sank) Having won a remarkable second place the previous year, the oarsmen from “Can. Barion Bari” achieved the first Italian victory in the history of FISA (it was not to be the last!). Both the Swiss and the French crews were par ticularly affected by the wind and rough water. 2x: 5 started 1. FRA 2. BEL 3. SUI 4. ITA 5. ALS-LOR The doubles from Brussels and Strasbourg clashed after 50 metres, and the race was restarted. At 400 metres, the French crew from “RC Paris”, Octave Bouttemy and Robert d’Heilly, overtook the Swiss and remained in the lead. Less than a second separated the doubles who finished in second and third places. August 17th 1901 — Zurich 10th FISA congress Present: 11 delegates from 5 federations At the Baur Hotel, under the chairmanship of F. Wanner, the president of the Swiss federation, the fixing of a mini mum age and weight for coxswains at 14 years and 40 kilograms was discussed, but rejected. Oscar Gregoire, the president of the Belgian federation, announced that he had been to London to acquaint M. Lehman of the ARA (the British federation) with the Bel gian rules, and to sign an agreement between the two na tional organizations. A rule applying to gigs (“yoles franches”) was approved. The resignation of the secretary-treasurer, Louis Capucc- cio, who was too busy with his professional work, was ac cepted. A telegram of regret was sent to him. Count Carlo Vialardi di Verrone was elected by acclamation to suc ceed him. Count Carlo Vialardi di Verrone (ITA), secretary-treasurer of FISA between 1901 and 1922, then secretary of honour until his death in 1931. A native of Turin, he was present at all FISA con gresses between 1895 and 1920. He collaborated very closely with lx: 4 started 1. FRA 2. BEL 3. ITA 4. ALS-LOR After 300 metres, the Belgian, de Laet, could not main tain the three-length lead which he had established over the Frenchman, Henri Barrelet, the 1900 Olympic champion, who finished ten lengths ahead. 2 +: 5 started 1. FRA 2. ALS-LOR 3. ITA 4. BEL 5. SUI Conditions on the water had improved, but nevertheless remained difficult. The pair from Dieppe, H. Delabarre and R. Gelee, were in a class of their own, although then- style was much criticised by the purists. The French and Swiss crews went off the course towards the middle of the lake, in order to meet the waves at an angle, but fell be hind as a result, and the Alsatian crew from Strasbourg took the lead. The Belgian pair could not cope with the waves. The oarsmen from Dieppe, rowing very hard, drew level and went on to win by three lengths. 8 +: 3 started 1. BEL 2. FRA 3. SUI A hard-fought race. The Belgians clung desperately to a half-length lead. A record was established. Maurice Hel- mesoet had now carried off seven European titles (1897: 8 + , 1898: 4 + , 1899: 4+ and 8 + , 1900: 4+ and 8 + , 1901: 8 + ). Part 1 19
