Sending Rowers Abroad

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30961, 18 January 1966, Page 13

Sending Rowers Abroad

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND. New Zealand rowing would be better served by sending one top eight rather than three or four crews for competition in Europe later this season, the national single sculls champion, M. P, Watkinson, said yesterday.

Watkinson was commenting on the New Zealand Rowing Association’s tentative plans to send a large team, perhaps

containing an eight, four and single sculler, to Europe for top-class competition leading up to the world championships in Jugoslavia in August. “We should definitely send a team away for they will need the top competition to prepare for the Olympic Games in 1968," said Watkinson. It would serve to fill the gap left by the omission of rowing from the Empire Games this year.

“From my experience of rowing in Europe, a crew of our top eight oarsmen would have a terrific show there,” said Watkinson. “To send a team of about 15 for an eight, four and pairs

or singles would spread our strength too wide. The best way to a medal would be to concentrate on the eight, for we can’t expect to win medals in the eights, fours and singles. “We should concentrate on sending away the strongest possible eight, rather than spreading our strength over three or four crews.

“A single sculler or perhaps a pair, could be sent to act as reserves for the eight” Watkinson’s plans to return to Europe for competition depend on his form at the national championships in March and whether priority trials are held afterwards.