What Have You Done For Me Lately?

It only takes about 4 weeks for coaches and fans of Olympic rowing to start thinking about what the next quadrennial might look like. After 5 months most of the media has burned out and the awards have been delivered and by the time CRASH B's roll around everyone is looking for the next big thing. But oftentimes the superstars and Olympians ripen like a fine wine and the following are a few of my favorite mid level CRASH B finishers that went on to become Olympic Heros.

1. After finishing 10th place under the auspice of Bates College Crew with a 6:10, Canadian, Andrew Byrnes went on to Olympic glory and a Gold Medal in the men's eight last year.
2. Scroll well down the 2005 C.R.A.S.H. B results page to find Will Daly, who finished 52nd with a time of 6:40.8 as a Boston University rower. He would improve that score by almost 25 seconds over the next four years, become World Champion in the Light Men's Eight and row as a U.S Reperesentative in the 2008 Olympics in the Light Men's Four.
3. In 2004 Elle Logan was still in High School at the Brooks School and finished 12th with a time of 7:27 before climbing the elite roiwng ranks to become an Olympic Gold Medalist in the women's eight.

As a huge population of rowers and coaches head to C.R.A.S.H. B's this year don't underestimate the person from New Hampshire, Ohio State or Minneapolis Rowing sitting next to you, they very well be, the next big thing.

Watch Your Wake!

In 1996, the EPA produced a document stating that gasoline marine engines are one of "the largest average contributors of hydrocarbon" emissions. In fact according to the EPA "of all categories of nonroad engines, recreational marine engines contribute the second highest average level of HC exhaust emissions. Only small gasoline engines use in lawn and garden equipment emit higher levels on average." Until recently, this industry was relatively unregulated by local officials but states like Vermont and Massachusetts have begun to adopt more stringent environmental regulations. Not only do these dangersous emissions created by smaller outboard engines cause irritation to the respiratory system, but the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation estimates that carbureted 2-Stroke outboard motors never burn 20-30 percent of the fuel used to power them, that unburned fuel is reportidly excreted from the engine directly into the water.

In response to this hazard the EPA took steps to work with manufacturers to produce an outboard personal watercraft marine engine that is over 75 percent cleaner in 1996. Although this engine is reported to be slightly more expensive than older carbureted 2-stroke models, it is said to have a significantly better fuel economy, quicker throttle response, and easier to start.

In general, it seems to me that a 4-stroke engine for your crew is the responsible and environmentally friendly way to go. Although it has been reported that some 4-stroke engines do not accelerate as quickly and are certainly heavier than their 2-stroke counterpart, 4-stroke engines seem to outperform in every other category and contribute significantly less waste to the environment.

Options for more environmentally friendly engines? From all the literature I can compile it seems you now have 2 options when it comes to a friendlier engine. Direct injection 2 stroke engines, or modern 4 stroke engines.

As far as I can tell Tohatsu's TLDI engine is the only direct injection 2 stroke, small outboard engine manufacture; it comes in a 50 and 90 hp. However in one website that I visited this warning was listed on the site: "IMPORTANT NOTICE: ALL TLDI MODELS. DUE TO MANUFACTURER RESTRICTIONS WE ARE NOT ABLE TO SHIP ANY TLDI MODEL ENGINES. THIS IS DUE TO THE COMPLEX INITIAL SERVICING REQUIRED PRIOR TO CUSTOMER TAKING POSSESSION. TLDI MODELS MUST BE INSTALLED AT OUR COOKEVILLE, TN LOCATION. INSTALLATION (EST. $150-250) AND SALES TAX (9.75%) IS ADDITIONAL. SORRY, NO EXCEPTIONS." This is the 2006 version of this model so I have no idea if modifications have been made since then. The next smallest 2 stroke direct injection engine that I have been able to find on the web is the Mercury Optimax that comes in 135-225 hp.

With most rivers converting to wakeless launches that are generally larger and nearly impossible to drag out of the water anyway, it seems the way of the future is the 4-stroke engine. The leader in 4-stroke engines according to the Powerboat Training Website is Honda.

To be completely honest, any feedback on this article is more than welcome. Admittedly, I am learning as I go, but it seems to me, if you own a 2-stroke engine manufactured before 1996 or any 2-stroke that is not a direct injection model, you are causing some serious harm to the river and possibly contributing to respiratory problems to your coaches, rowers, and coxswains.

Greatest Races: Week 26

In the history of Olympic and World Championship Rowing only 4 American men have ever won gold in the single at a World Championship or Olympic Regatta. In 1997 as Jamie Koven took the center lane in France no American had won the men’s single since Don Sperro in 1966. After a devastating move at the 1000-m mark Koven would join the ranks of Frank Greer (1904), John Kelly (1920), and Don Sperro (1966) in the annuls of American Rowing History, making him the first entrant for this year’s Sculler’s Deck, America’s Greatest Crew of all time.

Waddell vs. Drysdale: 4 More Years of Singles Duals

The world could not have asked for a better reality television show than 4 years of Rob Waddell vs. Mahe Drysdale. The latter who has said on several occasions prior to the Olympic trial drama that Waddell was an inspiration and one reason he converted to single sculling after marginal success in the four in 2000. Now New Zealand rowing seems to be showing some signs of trepidation about giving Drysdale the bid outright to 2012.

Waddell's volatility and NZ Rowing's willingness to blow with the wind, seems like a perfect storm abrew. I would expect Drysdale to jump ship before things get too rough and he may be looking to the Aussies for a life raft.

One thing is for certain, if they televise the trial, I will be tuned in.