Should Lightweight Rowers Have a High Rate? An analysis of the Athens 2004 Lightweight mens 2x final

Here we have the lightweight men's 2x final at the athens olympcis. Being a close to lightweight rower this race has inspired me to write a comment.
I have always been in confusion regarding why lightweight rowers row at a very high rate. Italians Elia Luini and his partner, are examples of lwt rowers who row at the rate of close of 40 spm. So, the danish crew you see in the video. The french normally are elegant in the way they row but in this particular race frederic dufour and pascal tourin seem to have fallen into the trap of elevating the rate by have a quick return. They win the silver.

What is amazing is Polish crew...the pols just rocked in the race getting into a beautiful rowing rhythm letting the boat glide at the finish..and then returning in regular fashion..and driving with balanced power during the entire stroke. Denmark's dead at the end of the race..no wonder..I knew this would happen when I saw them go.

Comparing this to how good hwt rowers like Mahe drysdale row.. They use the momentum to let the boat glide at the finish. Using every second of the drive efficiently. One might argue that lwt rowers dont have the momentum that a hwt rower has..but watch this video..and think again...plaisir a faire d'aviron along with gold medal in the bag!

Open d'ergo Championats de Bretagne 2007, St. Brieuc 02/12/2007

OpenErgo2007LQ
Uploaded by sagarsen