The 51st edition of the BCGE Tour du Léman à l’Aviron was launched this Saturday, September 23, off the Société Nautique de Genève. Team R.O.W – from the BONNER RV / CLEVER RC / RTK GERMANIA KOELN / STUTTGART-CANSTATTER clubs – was once again victorious on a course modified due to unfavorable weather forecasts.
Geneva, September 24, 2023 – After a course shortened to 140 kilometers (instead of 160) and after 10 hours, 43 minutes and 05 seconds of intense effort, the R.O.W crew arrived in Geneva. He beat his direct rival, the 44West crew – from the SEECLUB KUESNACHT/ SEECLUB ZUG/ SEECLUB LUZERN clubs – by 38 minutes and 44 seconds.
The R.O.W crew is once again the winner of the BCGE Tour du Léman à l’Aviron, having already won the anniversary edition under the name “MaMi and the Papis” last year. “It’s always a superb feeling to complete the Tour,” said Henning Osthoff, captain of the victorious team. “ It was a real pleasure to do this race, especially with such a great team. ”
” We were very surprised at how fast the Swiss 44West crew went, because their boat is wider than the others,” explains Markus Müller, one of the team members. ” On the return journey, we had some more difficult stretches near the coast. The water was shallower and we didn’t glide as well, so we had to push harder. We also had waves off Lausanne. .
The start took place in beautiful morning colors, with the sun breaking through the clouds. In view of the weather forecast, however, the Organizing Committee decided early this afternoon to shorten the Tour. A Joran – a north-westerly wind blowing over the southern Jura mountains – was forecast early this evening, followed by a Bise. The Committee therefore modified the route: competitors turned back at Rivaz instead of going all the way to the end of the lake. So they stayed along the Swiss coast, less exposed to waves in these conditions.
” Safety is always our priority,” said Stéphane Trachsler, President of the Organizing Committee. ” We took the decision to shorten the Tour so that the last crews could return safely.”
In the Novices category, the Swiss crew 44West took victory. He was also second overall after 11:21:49. In the Masters category, the German LRV team (LUDWIGSHAFENER RUDERVEREIN V. 1875) won, while the KCfW team (KÖLNER CLUB FÜR WASSERSPORT/ MÜLHEIMER WASSERSPORT EV KÖLN/ WASSERFREUNDE HEMMOOR E.V./ C LEVER RC) took victory in the Mixed category.
” It’s always a pleasure to welcome these rowers and support them in their Tour du Lac challenge,” concluded Stéphane Trachsler. ” Whatever the objective of each crew, they always give their best and put on a magnificent show.”
This edition featured a total of 18 crews, including two women’s teams and seven mixed teams, representing six nationalities (SUI, GER, FRA, GBR, NED, ITA).
Intercompany Challenge
In parallel with the BCGE Tour du Léman à l’Aviron, the Inter-Entreprise challenge took place in the second half of the morning, with a 10am start. The challenge consists of a race of around 400m, enabling rowers from the same company to put into practice what they have learned in their rowing lessons at Société Nautique de Genève.
A total of five teams took up the challenge, representing three companies: Pictet, Medisupport and SGS. Two heats were organized by the official TLA referees, while the grand final decided the winner, the crew from Banque Pictet.