The German rowers are currently in the training camp in Portugal. Now a hurricane has damaged numerous boats and the conditions are difficult. Nevertheless, the athletes are not giving up – replacement material is already on the way.
Boat material was severely damaged by a severe storm at the German men’s national rowing team’s training camp in Lago Azul (Portugal) on Thursday. However, no one was injured, the association said. A total of 14 sculls and six oar boats were affected in the incident due to a storm, it said in a statement. In addition, there is currently no internet connection and electricity can only be provided via a diesel generator, it said.
“We’re doing well given the circumstances. The storm was extremely violent – I’ve never experienced it in this form, almost like a hurricane,” said national coach Marcus Schwarzrock: “We had a similar situation here around ten years ago. Because of this experience, the material was actually better secured this time.”
“Numerous boats were destroyed”
The Germany eight’s Instagram page said: “Hurricane-like wind gusts of up to 150 km/h swept across the region and caused massive damage. Numerous boats were destroyed and large parts of the infrastructure were severely affected. The most important thing: all rowers are doing well (…) The conditions are anything but easy – but we are making the best of it and sticking together.”
The goal is to continue the training camp. Thanks to the support of Marcus Schmitz, Head of Boat Technology and Transport, regular training is scheduled to resume on Saturday. He is traveling to Portugal with replacement material from the boat builder Empacher. Individual boats that were spared from the storm were able to train on the water again on Friday.
Head coach Schwarzrock said: “We won’t let ourselves get down and are concentrating on what is possible – even if the weather could be better at the moment.”
SUF with dpa
