If you want to know why the Rotsee is also called Lake Götter, you don’t have to search for hero myths from past times for a long time. The reason for the sonorous nickname is much more prosaic, because this is exactly where there is perfect conditions for rowing in the Swiss canton of Lucerne. And this is exactly where there was the final race of the World Cup at the weekend, and this is exactly where Theis Hagemeister from Frankfurter RG Germania has succeeded in a very special brilliant act with the Germany eight.
It is Sunday afternoon when the Germany eighter has ready for the final run. The spectators are waiting for the last race and the climax of the regatta in Lucerne. The summer temperatures increase the thermometer above the water to more than 30 degrees Celsius, below there are 24. No optimal conditions.
“I am usually the type that doesn’t matter that much, but that was an enormous burden,” says Hagemeister. “It was very hot. We had to work with special cooling vests before the race so as not to overheat.”
Also mentally “cool” is the motto for the 28-year-old, who was only added to the flagship of the German Rowing Association in May, and that in a turbulent period of upheaval. Because the Germany-Echter has been looking back to the top of the world for months after having stayed without a medal for the first time since 2008 at the Olympic Games in Paris. The longing for the turnaround is therefore as high as the expectations of the crew. The new coach Mark Emke offers a glimmer of hope thanks to the fresh line -up – including Hagemeister.
Quasi a lightweight under the rowing giants
“From the rowing, I have to make sure that we drive in rhythm, that everyone can get involved in such a technically that we best come forward,” says Hagemeister. “So I have to make sure that everyone can implement their power.”
The whole thing does not detract from the fact that Hagemeister with the dimensions of “only” 191 centimeters and about 90 kilograms are a lightweight under the row giants. “It also depends on the clean technology that you can generate the appropriate strength,” says Hagemeister. And he demonstrates this on Sunday afternoon with his crew.
But for Hagemeister, this is no reason to rest on success. On the one hand, some of the great favorites such as Olympic champion Great Britain or the Netherlands were missing in Lucerne, on the other hand, the focus is now on larger goals: the World Championships in Shanghai in September and longer -term the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. As soon as the first cheers have gone, the race in Lucerne is meticulously analyzed and tacted on the video recordings, which could be done better next time.
Success story on Lake Götters
“It was already clear to us at the beginning of this season that we wanted to go forward, but we couldn’t classify that yet,” says Hagemeister. “But now, after the first competitions, we have noticed that we have a very good team, we are able to win under difficult conditions.”
For Hagemeister, who, in addition to his rowing career, also studies business administration at the FH in Dortmund, will therefore not be lower – on the contrary. But the rowing talent is happy about the challenge, and in addition to work and study, manages to squeeze one or the other cycling round. The main thing is that stay active, because the competition does not sleep either.
But Hagemeister is certain, however, that the Germany eggs now not only has the potential, but also the necessary self-confidence, not only keeping up with the best teams in the world, but also being able to beat them again. The first important chapter of a new success story could possibly have been written for this on Lake Swiss.
