Steinmühlen Rowers on Track for the Olympics: Outstanding Performances in the Double Sculls Pave the Way for Marc Weber to the European Championships

The Steinmühlen rower’s goal is to qualify for the Olympics

That’s quite an achievement: With a five-second lead, Steinmühlen rower Marc Weber and his partner Jonas Gelsen from the Nassovia Höchst Rowing Club clearly and confidently held off their opponents at the mid- and large-boat trials on the regatta course in Hamburg-Allermöhe. They had already won two out of two races on Saturday, so they didn’t even have to compete on Sunday. “With this victory in the qualifying round, the team has qualified for the European Championships in four weeks and will aim to secure an Olympic berth at the World Championships,” explained coach Martin Strohmenger.

“We were both a little nervous before the competition,” says Marc Weber. “After reviewing our ergometer results and our performance at the German Small Boat Championships in Brandenburg two weeks ago, we wanted to see where we stood,” he explains. “We managed to take a clear lead in the first race and also take the lead in the second race. If we do well at the European Championships as well—which I hope we will—then we can secure our spot and get the ‘go-ahead’ to qualify for the Olympics at the World Championships.”

 

“The support from Steinmühle helps me keep my head clear”

Marc Weber, for whom the weekend in Hamburg had been sunny—and not just in terms of the weather—said: “I’m very happy. We’re making great strides right now; we’re on the right track and moving very fast.” The athlete extended a big thank you to Steinmühle and to everyone there who supported him without making a big deal out of it. Weber: “I feel very well taken care of; my mind is clear. The Rudern und Sport Steinmühle club, along with the Steinmühle School and Boarding School, deserve a great deal of credit for helping us achieve significant success across Germany.”

High praise for their new recruit, Marc Weber—U23 World Champion in the single sculls (2019) and 2019 Athlete of the Year in Hesse—was in turn

Steinmühlen management, school administration, and the board of the Rudern und Sport Steinmühle association. “We would be delighted if this journey continues on an international level. We will continue to support this effort.”