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Italy Masters v. Great Britain Masters
Florence
21st June 2001
Sponsored by Mulberry.
Another Supersprint Rowing first, June 2001 saw the introduction of the Masters Challenge event.
Held in Italy, it featured the world-famous Abbagnale brothers, who as men's coxd pairs specialists won a host of world titles and two Olympic golds. The first of these was in Los Angeles, and the second in Seoul, where they beat Steve Redgrave and Andy Holmes into third place.
Squaring up to them were Jonny and Greg Searle, who avenged Redgrave's Seoul defeat four years later, as their coxed pair rowed the Abbagnales down in one of the most thrilling races in history, at the Barcelona Olympics. Greg is currently training to sail the America's Cup, but returned to rowing for this special challenge.
Sir Steve Redgrave, back in a boat for this competition, raced in the single scull for the first time in his Supersprint Rowing career, aiming to put the third Abbagnale, youngster Agostino, well in his place.
The women's double sculls had old British hands Sue Walker and Libby Henshilwood return to the fray, facing lightweight Olympian Martina Orzon together with Erika Spinello.
Great Britain's first Supersprint loss
Racing at the Masters Challenge was, as ever, fast and furious. Perennial champion Sir Steve Redgrave, suffering from blistered hands, nevertheless managed to rumble his opponent, youngster Agostino Abbagnale. After Abbagnale's flying start, Redgrave pushed through and won the single sculls race by half a length, to gain two points. The women's double sculls were won by Italy by just two feet, squaring the score, and then the men's coxless pairs took to the water. After the build-up, this was never going to be less than a ferocious contest. Again the Abbagnale start worked its magic, and Italy took an early lead. Through pushed the Searles, snatching victory in a replay of their famous Olympic final, by another two-foot margin. However, this was only half the battle.
With the scores standing at 4 to Italy and 2 to Great Britain, the relay, counting for 6 points, would be decisive. Off went the men's singles, Sir Steve once again proving that retirement from active competition has not dulled his sprinting speed. It took him a few strokes to catch Abbagnale, but he won the first relay leg by quarter of a length, which was pulled back by Italy as their women took a quick lead and won the second leg by quarter of a length despite Britain's efforts to row them down. It was all down to the pairs, and this time the Abbagnales capitalised on the head-start their team handed them. The Searles weren't given a chance, as the Italians again moved away rapidly, and this time refused to let them back into the race. Victory to Italy by half a length, giving them another six points and the overall win: Great Britain's first ever Supersprint Rowing defeat.
Additional Supersprint Rowing Challenges this year:
Great Britain v. Rest of the World at Hampton Court Palace, England, on 2nd July 2001
Great Britain v. Australia in Melbourne, Australia, on 4th November 2001
Supersprint Rowing in association with
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