Rowers forced to wait

RIO DE JANEIRO: The bulk of the South African rowing team were resigned to the ergo machine after organisers called off yesterday’s rowing on the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon due to problems caused by rough weather.

London Olympics gold medallists, lightweight double sculls crew James Thompson and John Smith, were among the rowers who will have to wait until tomorrow to get their first taste of rowing in Rio.

As South Africa’s men’s four coach, Paul Jackson, pointed out, the rowers live for the pain of taking on the gruelling 2 000m course.

“Us rowers are used to the taste of lactic acid, that is what turns us on,” Jackson said.

Officials initially announced an hour delay to the original programme which was scheduled for 8.30am, before they added another hour.

Shortly before the revised 10.30am start it was announced that the rowing would be postponed until today.

South Africa were set to have four boats in action after the men’s heavyweight pair of Lawrence Brittain and Shaun Keeling safely cruised into tomorrow’s semi-final, finishing their heat on Saturday in second place.

“When it is a head- or tailwind it is fine because you are rowing with the waves,” Jackson said.

“Yesterday it was across side, coming from an angle, and you snake down the course and it was hellish, and I am surprised they carried on with the rowing. – Ockert de Villiers