With no fewer than 12 victories under its belt, the Rudern und Sport Steinmühle club headed home from the 112th Giessen Pentecost Regatta. The concept of this traditional event—with its mix of elite and club sports—once again perfectly aligned with the Steinmühle Rowing Club’s mission to support both competitive and recreational rowing. The fact that Steinmühle’s results in Giessen were so outstanding proved once again: the right people are in the right place here.

Although he is now accustomed to competing on the international stage, Marc Weber decided to race in his home region once again. This return to his roots was well received by the organizers, and as expected, Marc—who has his sights set on an Olympic berth—secured two victories and the Lahn Cup. The RuS Junior A and Junior B competitive rowers also won their respective competitions. Johannes Germano claimed four victories and posted the fastest times in both the Junior B and Junior A competitions. Lilu Schmidt crossed the finish line first a total of five times. The talented Steinmühlen rower also impressed alongside her rowing partner from Eltville, Sofiia Krasnova, in the double sculls. “This duo could have a successful future ahead of them,” predicts Steinmühlen coach Martin “Stromi” Strohmenger.

Great performance by Maurits Juhre

The coach also praised Maurits Juhre’s outstanding performances. Together with Johannes Germano, Maurits—who had already impressed in Munich—posted the fastest times in the single sculls races. Maurits also took to the water with his Frankfurt rowing partner in the “development double,” and did so with phenomenal success: Out of a total of 15 competitors, they posted the fastest time. “Both train in an exemplary manner,” Strohmenger explained, seeing great potential for this boat combination in 2025.

Paula Koch had also signed up for the Pentecost Regatta. However, a last-minute illness put a damper on her plans. Several rowers from the U-15 age group would have competed as well—if they hadn’t been away at a Scout camp.

A united front sends a great message

“All these results are great,” says Coach Strohmenger happily. The coach considers the team spirit and the united front shown by the young athletes to be almost even more important, especially since all of the RuS competitive rowers competed in Giessen.

The next events are already marked on the RuS athletes’ calendars. Marc Weber will next compete at World Cup III in Poznan from June 14 to 16, while Johannes Germano, Lilu Schmidt, Maurits Juhre, and his rowing partner will compete at the 2nd International DRV Junior Regatta in Hamburg from June 1 to 2. The 88th Kassel Rowing Regatta, taking place the same weekend, will serve as the state qualifier for the national competition. There, Leonhardt Germano and Nils Grunwaldt will put their skills to the test.

The young athletes from RuS Steinmühle achieved remarkable success at the regatta hosted by the Offenbach Rowing Club “Undine.” They secured a total of seven victories, four of which were won by Johannes Germano alone. The talented and hard-working rower racked up a total of eight victories of his own.

Another standout performer: Lilu Schmidt. At not even 15 years old, she finished first in three out of four races—and that against a field of 15- and 16-year-olds, and even some 18-year-olds. —What a celebration!

With this regatta performance, the Rudern und Sport (RuS) Steinmühle club came within a hair’s breadth of winning the overall trophy for the day; it missed out by just one point. “Still, we came in second—and that’s among about 30 clubs from all over Hesse and the surrounding area,” says coach Martin Strohmenger happily.

Other athletes from RuS Steinmühle are also currently in contention for top finishes. Notable among them are Leonhardt Germano and Nils Grunwaldt, who competed in the 12/13-year-old age group in Offenbach, narrowly lost in the single and double sculls, respectively, and returned home with valuable regatta experience.

Meanwhile, at the International Junior Regatta in Munich, 17-year-old RuS rising star Maurits Juhre once again demonstrated his skills. At Europe’s largest junior rowing event, the ambitious Steinmühlen rower held his own against a multinational and highly competitive field, finishing with an outstanding 4th place in the B final.

Guys and girls, we’re proud of you!

Photos: Guido Germano

A great start to the season for our rowers from RuS Steinmühle: Maurits Juhre and Johannes Germano got off to a flying start this weekend at the 52nd Early Season Regatta on Lake Aasee in Münster. Maurits competed four times over 2,000 meters, confidently securing second place three times and finishing third once. Johannes also raced four times, all over a distance of 1,500 meters. The young athlete, who recently joined RuS Steinmühle, won all four races by a wide margin—what a celebration! Coach Martin Strohmenger was impressed: “Both rowers received positive feedback and gained valuable experience this weekend, which will definitely benefit them in their upcoming regattas.” Their next races will take place in two weeks in Offenbach and then in Gießen. — Keep it up, guys! We’re rooting for you!