There were some who said this would be an off year; post Olympics, no Waddell, U.S. Women's team in transition, etc. etc. etc.
We say to these voices of gloom, look at the facts.
This year's C.R.A.S.H.-B.'s had a record number of participants and the distribution of first, second and third place finishers was spread out among 14 countries. There were exciting races in all of the categories with four new records.
 Without Rob Waddell of New Zealand (who is taking time off from his rowing career to crew for New Zealand's America's Cup team) the Men's Open crown appeared to be Matthias Siejkowski's for the taking. The big German was the heavy favorite after having posted the second fastest time ever rowed on an erg earlier this year. His 5:39.1 earned him a world record in the 30-39 age group and was a mere 8/10ths of a second behind Waddell. And indeed, Matthias did seem to be comfortably in control after overtaking his training partner  Pavel Shurmei of Belarus. But Pavel apparently had some hidden reserves as he sprinted toward the finish line. The two crossed the line a mere 2/10ths of a second apart with Siejkowski finishing first in a time of 5:42.3 to Shurmei's time of 5:42.5.
Per Hansen of Denmark led a strong Danish team to some impressive wins. Racing in the Senior Men's Lightweight category (age 40-49), Hansen rowed a 6:19.4 shaving more than 6 seconds off the great Jean Paul Tardieu's world record. Fellow countrywoman Merete Boldt (Vet. A 50-59 Lightweight) showed than another year hasn't slowed her down as she tied her own world record of 7:16.6.
Two other women, Helen Mangan of Great Britain and Frankie McCune of the U.S., had impressive victories. Helen shattered her own 40-49 Women's Lightweight record by 10.5 seconds while Frankie, moving up an age class to the 70-79 Lightweight Women, wiped out the existing world record by more than 21 seconds!
And to show those younger women that age doesn't slow you down, 91-year-old World War I veteran John Hodgson of Great Britain established himself as the man to beat with a world record time of 9:29.6!
It was an exciting day and perfect ending to a great racing season that saw increased participation at almost every level in races worldwide.
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| Hastings/Tardieu Rivalry
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"Jean Paul and I have been competing against each other for the last five years. He was always first. Me, two second place finishes, a third, and a fifth. Last year was the first year we were not in the same category, He was 50, I was 49. No matter. We always rooted for the other and were never in the same heat so we could cheer the other on. I tell you this because at the very end of his row, when he set his handle down and looked around and pointed, it was to me and then he applauded, knowing he had just missed catching me and I had finally caught him. He applauded, a small gesture but one of the grandest acts I've been privy to in my sporting association." Dennis Hastings
 
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