4 +: 6 finalists from 7 entries 1. ITA 2. DEN 3. SUI 4. TCH 5. BEL 6. FRA 2-: 5 entered - HUN: scratched 1. ITA 2. POL 3. BEL 4. TCH A clear victory for the Italians. lx: 6 entered - ITA: scratched 1. NED 2. TCH 3. BEL 4. POL - SUI (Not rowed out) The Dutch sculler, Gunther, finished well ahead. 4-: 6 entered 1. ITA 2. NED 3. POL 4. BEL 5. TCH - SUI (Not rowed out) The Italians were in command right from the start. 2 +: 5 entered 1. ITA 2. FRA 3. POL 4. BEL 5. ESP The brothers Renzo and Pierre Vestrini took the lead only in the closing stages, winning their third FISA tide. 2x: 5 entered , 1. SUI 2. ITA 3. BEL 4. FRA 5. POL In spite of Robineau’s not being well, the French went into the lead and led for the first quarter of the race, be fore dropping back. The Swiss, rowing with magnificent style, went on to win. 8 +: 6 finalists from 7 entries 1. ITA 2. YUG 3. POL 4. HUN 5. DEN 6. TCH At 1,500 metres, the crews were still level. Italy spurted and went on to win by a length. The next four crews all finished within three seconds of each other, the last one being less than a length down. No sooner had this race finished, than a violent storm broke. There was a tremendous rush back to the town. The prizegiving and speeches took place in the theatre, much later than planned. The banquet was held in the Military Academy. Vodka and conversation flowed. It went on for so long that some people left at one o’clock in the morning, with the meal only half over. Nevertheless, everyone took away a happy memory of perfect organisa tion. With its five victories, Italy won the Glandaz Cup for the first time since 1911. The Spanish team was the smallest. In the single car needed to transport the crew from Spain, with the boat on a roof-rack, they co vered 6,000 kilometres. Milllegg had been EISA’s representatives there at the end of May, when he had made the following statement: “Respecting other people’s opinions as it does, FISA does not consider itself entitled to lay down a law which would restrict the independence of international sporting federations. However, being stricter than most of the in ternational federations in its definition of the amateur, it will remain utterly uncompromising on the principle of the purest definition of amateurism.” Relations were re-established with the German federa tion, and the possibility of its return was being examined. The Greek federation was admitted as an extraordinary member, while the Danish federation became a full member. In order to clarify the rules, it was prescribed that an oarsman, in order to represent his country at a European championship, must be a citizen of that country and be long to a club based within that country’s territoiy. August 15th—17th 1930 — Liege 31st men’s European championships On the occasion of the celebrations of the centenary of Belgian independence, these championships took place on the river Meuse. The course had just recently been laid out, but there was room for only three crews abreast to race. Eliminators were therefore necessary. The weather did not make the task of the organisers easy. Storms on August 13th and 14th demolished the grand stands, telephone links and notice boards. The latter had to be replaced three times. An ingenious buoying system had been installed. Large red rubber balls, with a diameter of 80-90 centimetres, were used as buoys. They had the advantage of being very visible, and of not damaging any boat which might hit them. The weather conditions were just as difficult for the oars men, who had to compete against each other on a minia ture raging sea. The stream, which on the first two days had been very fast, slackened slightly for the finals, after the organisers had managed to have the downstream lock closed in order to create a calmer course. There was a record number of entries, and a “first”: the presence of the USA in the European championships, with two crews , 4 + and 8 +. With their dark navy vests and red, white and blue scarves, their crews cut quite a dash. Twelve national federations were represented. Latest record: six nations won gold medals out of the seven tides at stake. August 14th 1930 — Liege 33rd FISA congress Present: 31 delegates from 12 federations. The governor of the province welcomed the delegates at the former Palace of the Prince-Bishops. In his report, president Fioroni referred to the Olympic congress in Berlin. He and secretary-treasurer Gaston 70 For the first time, there were women’s races interspersed in the programme. Eliminators (E), repechages (R) and semifinals (1/2 F) Weather conditions for the eliminators and the repechages of August 15th were bad: a fast current, a
