He holds nearly every record in the BCGE Tour du Léman rowing race: All Categories, Masters, Novices, and Mixed. Next Saturday, Matthias Auer will be at the starting line of the Société Nautique de Genève’s famous race for the twenty-first time! And he’s still just as motivated as ever.
Matthias Auer is one of the iconic figures of the BCGE Tour du Léman rowing race. He first competed in 2003 and celebrated his 20th appearance last year. A multiple winner of the event, he holds nearly all of its records. “The only things missing are the women’s standings and the record in the ‘Pointe’ category,” he laughs. “ The Tour du Léman is an exceptional event. For me, it’s truly the highlight of the season. ”
Why, in his opinion, is this race so special? “There are many factors , ” he explains. “ I really appreciate the camaraderie among the teams and the energy this event generates. The Organizing Committee, led by Stéphane Trachsler, always goes out of its way to give us a warm welcome. And above all, I think it’s the ultimate event. It’s the longest and toughest race I participate in. .
The only downside: Since last year, competitors no longer stay at the Cologny command post shelter due to a rule change. “ I really liked this place near the club—it had a kitchen and always had a great atmosphere with all the competitors. I felt right at home there. “Matthias and his team now live in an apartment—a comfortable one, to be sure—but one that no longer has that sense of camaraderie.”
To tackle Lake Geneva and its frequent challenges, Matthias and his teammates have developed a highly effective procedure. “ In particular, you need a good pump and plenty of duct tape. We take great care in preparing our boat: Lake Geneva can be treacherous ,” he explains. ” My greatest wish is to be able to complete the full course. It makes me sad when the race has to be shortened because of the weather. So I hope all the competitors are well prepared! .
On the Esplanade des Sports, on the eve of the race, the German champion often observes teams that do not take their preparation seriously enough. “ I see things I would never want to do in my rowing boat. Competitors—especially newcomers—should never hesitate to ask for advice. I’ll always be happy to answer their questions and help them as best I can. ”
Once the race begins, and the various boats gradually pull away from one another with each stroke of the oars, Matthias makes it a point to stay calm no matter what happens. “ We have a game plan with specific goals. We try to stick to it as best we can, without worrying about our competitors. Some years, a team has pulled so far ahead of us that all we could see was a tiny dot on the horizon. We try to stay calm and maintain our rowing rhythm despite the pressure this creates. And usually, we end up catching up… .
This year, Matthias will be sailing alongside two of his most frequent teammates—Markus Müller and Stefan Verhoeven—as well as two young sailors from Berlin: Tim Czemper and Paul Seydel. “ They represent the future of rowing,” he says. “ As for me, at 55, I’m starting to get a little old.”
To give this new BCGE Tour du Léman a symbolic significance, Matthias and his teammates have nicknamed their team “Route 66.” “Because when we add up our respective appearances, we’ll reach 66 editions next week! ” Another record for this remarkable legend of the BCGE Tour du Léman rowing race.