July 31st, August 5th and 6th 1928 — Amsterdam, 31st FISA congress Present: 22 delegates from 10 federations, at the “In- dustrieele Club”, in Dam Square (Royal Palace), in a su perbly imposing Gothic hall. The Danish federation was taking part in a FISA con gress for the first time, represented by Niels Ventegodt. A letter requesting affiliation was presented by the Ar gentinian federation, which comprised 25 clubs with over 18,000 members. This request was accepted. The National Amateur Rowing Association of the USA also sought affiliation. In future, the Statutes, Rules of Racing and Regulations could only be modified every four years, in the year fol lowing the Olympic Games. The subscription was fixed at 300 gold-francs for 1929. The proposal for a special supplementary subscription of 200 gold-francs was passed. On the proposal of Dr. Dryepondt (BEL), the entire FISA council was re-elected. It had been the useful convention during the last few years for a representative of the na tional federation organising the subsequent European championships to be appointed a vice-president of FISA. A request was made for the Statutes to provide for a more stable vice-presidency. The principle having been accepted, Alfred Loth, of the Polish federation, due to host the 1929 European championships, was made a se cond vice-president of FISA. August 2nd—10th 1928 — Amsterdam Games of the IXth Olympiad The choice of rowing course was a controversial one, conducted in public. Finally, with the approval of the president of FISA, the Sloten course, about 15 kilometres from the city centre, was chosen. Only two boats could race abreast in each race. The race programme was, therefore, awkward for the participants, tricky for the officials and tiresome for the spectators. Moreover, many people thought that the hospitality left much to be desired. The Olympic organization was in some respects too rigid compared with traditional regat tas, and left a poor impression. The races The umpires followed the coxed races from the bank and the coxswainless ones from launches. The four times Eu ropean champion, Victor de Bisschop (BEL) officiated as starter along with Moyantschik. Emile Lecuirot (FRA), whose son was among the best oarsmen, and Van- derhaeghen (BEL) were the finish judges.There were no fewer than 24 races on the first day. It proved impossible to stick to the timetable which had been drawn up in April. The first race started at 9am and the last at 6.45pm. It was the same on the subsequent days, apart from the last two. 66 Preliminary heats Weather conditions were difficult for everybody. However, the wind direction did give one of the stations a distinct advantage. For example, on August 4th there was a very strong side-wind which completely falsified the results. Only the obviously superior crews could win if they were drawn on the bank station. It was just as well that the numerous repechages seemed to rectify this major injustice, and the best crews met in the finals. 4 + : 11 crews El: 1. SUI 2. FRA Eli: 1. HUN 2. GBR Disappointed, the British scratched from the event. EIILl. POL 2. JPN EIV: 1. GER 2. USA EV: 1. BEL 2. MON A crew from Monte Carlo appeared for the first time, but their boat was wide, heavy and more suitable for begin ners than for top competition. EVI: 1. ITA RI: 1. FRA 2. MON RII: 1. USA 2. JPN 2EI: 1. BEL 2. HUN 2EII: 1. ITA 2. GER 2EIII: 1. SUI 2. USA 2EIV; 1. POL 2. FRA 2R: 1. GER 2. HUN 3EI: 1. POL 2. BEL 3EII: 1. ITA 2. GER 3EIII: 1. SUI 1/2 FI: 1. ITA 2. SUI 1/2FII: 1. POL POL: officially declared 3rd. 2-: 8 crews El: 1. GER 2.FRA Eli: 1. USA 2. BEL EIII: 1. GBR 2. SUI EIV: 1. ITA 2. NED RI: 1. SUI 2. FRA RII: 1. NED 2. BEL 2EI: 1. ITA 2. SUI 2ER: 1. USA 2. GBR 2EIII: 1. GER 2. NED 1/2 FI: 1. GER 2. USA 1/2 FII: 1. GBR 2. ITA Third place: 1. USA 2. ITA lx: 16 crews El: 1. GBR 2. SUI Eli: 1. AUS 2. GER EIII: 1. CAN 2. NED EIV: 1. FRA 2. BEL EV: 1. HUN 2. DEN EVI: 1. USA 2. AFS EVII: 1. TCH 2. JPN EVIII: 1. ITA
