'Absolute shock'
Loose screw thwarts Koven's world rowing championship bid
Posted: Thursday September 10, 1998 02:07 PM
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Koven's chances to defend his title were ended quickly when a screw holding his oarlock came loose AP |
COLOGNE, Germany (AP) -- Reigning champion James Koven of the
United States saw his bid to defend his single scull crown thwarted
by a tiny screw Thursday, at the world rowing championships.
In sharp contrast, a finely-tuned British team enjoyed a banner
day, qualifying six more crews for the finals, spearheaded by their
coxless four of Steve Redgrave, Matthew Pinsent, James Cracknell
and Tim Foster.
Koven's semifinal effort began to unravel barely 100 meters (110
yards) into the 2,000-meter (1.25 mile) race, the screw in his oar-lock
loosening, allowing his oar to slip dangerously. A choppy wave at
about 250m knocked the oar out of its mooring, effectively ending
the American's chances.
Instead Koven watched as Olympic and 1996 world champion Xeno
Mueller of Switzerland sped past to win the heat in 7:05.61,
followed by Rob Waddell of New Zealand in 7:07.82 and Egypt's Ali
Ibrahim Ali, 5.66 back.
"I was in absolute shock," said Koven, who won the world title
in his first season as a single sculler last year. "I wasn't sure
what was happening at first.
"I was hoping they'd stop the race," recalled Koven, who'd
hoped to become the first single sculler since 1990 to successfully
defend his crown. "If the oar had come out completely within the
first 100 meters or if I had flipped, the rule is they have to start the
race over. But it came out later, which was unlucky for me."
In the other semifinal Czech Vaclav Chalupa, still looking for
his first world title, finished first in 7:13.12. Slovenia's Iztok
Cop, the 1995 world champion, and Greg Searle of Britain, third at
the last worlds, also advanced to the final.
Koven will instead race in the consolation B-final, along with
last year's runnerup Andre Willms of Germany, fourth in his
semifinal.
The British coxless foresome, unbeaten as a crew since they
joined forces in May last year, continued their bid for a second
consecutive title, winning their semfinal heat.
The crew won comfortably, covering the 2,000-meter (1.25 mile) course
in 5 minutes, 58.95 seconds, with arch-rivals Australia 1.84 adrift
and Romania a boatlength back.
Though Romania and Australia are generally considered the team's
toughest competitors, the 1997 silver and bronze medallists aren't
Redgrave's top concern.
"Romania didn't perform well in their first race," said
Redgrave, the only rower to win gold medals in four consecutive
Olympics. "And the Australians don't seem to be performing as well
as usual.
"Italy, however, seems to be back on form, and it wouldn't
surprise me if they were in the medal hunt," added Redgrave. "The
French will also be a challenge."
In the women's single scull, Russia's Irina Fedotova, who swept
the three World Cup events this year, won her semifinal in 7:55.49.
The Russian will advance to the final with Sweden's Maria Brandin,
the 1997 bronze medallist, and Olympic bronze medallist Trine
Hansen of Denmark.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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