September 9th and 10th 1911 — Como 20th FISA congress Present: 13 delegates from 5 federations Louis Capuccio, the former secretary-treasurer of FISA, took the chair. The delegates met in the evening and worked until mid night, then resumed their deliberations at 10am the next day. Individual clubs not belonging to their national federa tions were not entitled either to be recognised by FISA, or to take part in its activities. The international federations office was empowered to register the German federation as soon as its request for affiliation was submitted. The costs of forwarding the European championships trophies would in future be covered by FISA and not by the clubs. September 10th 1911 — Como 19th men’s European championships There would be a free start, because the depth of the lake made it impossible to anchor stake-boats. The start would be given by means of a loud-hailer and the lower ing of a flag. The races 4 + : 5 entered 1. SUI 2. ITA 3. BEL 4. FRA 5. ALS-LOR The Italians finished a mere three seconds behind the Swiss. So small was the gap which separated the second and third crews that the finish judge had difficulty in deciding which crew had won second place. The victors - Hans Walter, stroke, age: 22, height: lm80, weight: 72 kg, a philosophy student, born in Zurich and brought up in Schaffhaus- en. Strong, supple, excellent endurance, limitless ambition. - T.-O. Schmidt, age: 22, height: lm82, weight: 79kg, a shopkeep er. The crew’s best stylist. A member of the “Stade helvetique” team from Marseilles, which had won the French football champi onship. - Paul F. Schmidt, brother of the above, age: 32, height: lm78, weight: 75 kg. A shopkeeper from Zurich. Holder of the Zurich Grasshopper club’s record for the number of kilometres covered in one year. Indefatigable. - Conrad Wirth, age:24, height: lm82. From Zurich. President of the Grasshopper club’s rowing section. After studying chemistry, he is employed at his father’s dye-works. He is the crew’s heavyweight. - A, Wolf, coxswain, age: 25, height;lm54, weight: 52 kg. A law student from Zurich. These champions have learnt their style from P. F. Schmidt, who himself acquired it from an American professional during his stay in the United States. Briefly, this involves an adaptation of the Aus tralian sculling technique to rowing. It consists of emphasising the salient points which make for the most efficient stroke, and of eliminating all superfluous movements, in order to let the boat run between strokes. This style does not look elegant because of its ap parent lack of “polish”. It is therefore very deceptive, concealing, as it does, its efficiency. 2x: 4 entered 1. ITA 2. FRA 3. BEL 4. ALS-LOR The Italians, Mariani and Sinigaglia, were impressive on their home water. The current tide-holders were second, and the 1909 champions third. lx: 5 entered - 3 started 1. ITA 2. BEL 3. FRA Having already won the 2x, G. Sinigaglia, from Como, boosted by the fact that he was rowing on home water, won the race. The four times European champion, Gaston Delaplane could only finish third. G. Sinigaglia, tall (lm 86) and outstandingly elegant, was also to win the Diamond Sculls at Henley in 1912. Much admired, even by his opponents, he was unfortunately killed at the Front on August 10th, 1916. 2 +: 4 entered 1. ITA 2. SUI 3. BEL 4. FRA Ercole Olgeni, winning his fourth tide since 1906, and Enrico Bruna, completed the Italian domination. Again, the frequent European champions, Visser and Molmans, could only manage third place. 8 +: 4 entered 1. ITA 2. SUI 3. FRA BEL: (Not rowed out) For the first time, an Italian boat won the premier event, with Scipione del Guidice rounding off his string of FISA successes, by adding to it the tide of European champion for the sixth time. Thus ended a very happy day for the red white and green oarsmen. Part 1 31 1911: Giuseppe Sinigaglia (ITA)
