Rowing at the 1912 Summer Olympics - Men's coxed fours

The men's coxed fours was a rowing event held as part of the Rowing at the 1912 Summer Olympics programme. It was the second appearance of the event, which had been held at the 1900 Summer Olympics but had been replaced by coxless fours at the 1904 and 1908 Games. The standard coxed fours event allowed for outriggers, while another event was held in 1912 for boats with inriggers. The competition was held from Wednesday, July 17, 1912 to Friday, July 19, 1912.

Fifty six rowers from nine nations competed. Germany replaced their coxswain, maybe the Danish "Polyteknisk" replaced a rower, but this possible change is not counted.

Medalists

Heat 3: 7 p.m. The Norwegian crew took the lead with much resolution, rowing in excellent style with a well-pronounced swing and a good grip of the water. The Austrians, too, rowed in good style but used the slide too early in the stroke, while their grip of the water was not quite so good as that of their opponents. The Norwegians went right away from their rivals and were the only ones to finish, Austria giving up the fight at the bridge.

Heat 6: 8 p.m. Both crews began with a quick stroke and lay side by side for some distance, but after the 1,000 metres mark, the Germans, without any exertion, led by about half a length, the same distance separating the boats when the boathouse was passed. In the finish, the Germans put themselves two lengths in front of their rivals, and won with the greatest ease.

Quarterfinal 2: 12.40 p.m. After rowing 600 metres, the British crew had a lead of about halt a length which, during the remainder of the race, was gradfully increased to some two and a half lengths.

emifinals

Both semifinals were held on Friday, July 19.

Semifinal 1: 1.30 p.m. The Danes rowed very energetically from the start and led by about half a length at the 500 metres mark. Here, however, the Germans came on with a short, powerful spurt, which gave them a lead that was afterwards retained, apparently without any great effort, and was gradually increased to about two and a half lengths, the distance separating the boats at the finish. The Germans crew possessed great physical power and was of a comparatively mature average age, features also characteristic of the English four representing the "Thames R. C.". "Ludwigshafen" rowed, it is true, a pretty short stroke forwards, but, backwards, it was of a good length, with a quiet, finished recovery, and a powerful pull through the water. No. 3, with his billowing Germanic beard, reminded one of a Viking, and his appearance contrasted strangely with that of the other oarsmen, most of whom were clean shaven or had only small moustaches.

References

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