Gomel City Executive Committee

GOMEL RIVERS-VETERANS AT INTERNATIONAL REGIONS

The Gomel region was famous for rowers who repeatedly won at the European, World and Olympic Games. This is facilitated not only by needs and traditions, but also by tradition. A striking example of the education of young rowers is the performance of Gomel rowing veterans at various international rowing regattas.

The first debut of Belarusians at veteran international regattas took place on September 9-11, 2002 in Dnepropetrovsk at the first open championship of Ukraine among veterans rowing and canoeing, in which two-time peony of Ukraine (single kayak (K-1) at a distance of 500 m and kayak-two (K-2) at a distance of 3000 m) became a Gomel resident, deputy manager of the branch of Belinvestbank OJSC, USSR master of sports Sergey Yashin, who was the only representative of Belarus at such prestigious competitions. He also excelled at the K-1 distance of 1200 m at the international regatta “Pamyat” on September 15, 2002, held in Kiev.

In 2003, the list of participants in the competition expanded, which adequately reflected in the number of medals won by Gomel residents in the competition.

May 10, 2003 from the first veteran launch (K-1, S-1 3 km, separate start, Moscow) Gold medals were brought by the kayaker Sergei Yashin and canoeist Gennady Gavrilov (coach SDYUSHOR-6 of Gomel).

On May 31, 2003 at the marathon race (K-1, Serebryany Bor, Moscow) S. Yashin again achieved a convincing victory over eminent rivals (1st place).

The regatta, held June 21-22, 2003 in Nizhny Novgorod, gathered the best rowing veterans of Russia from Arkhangelsk to Vladivostok. I want to show the best time of the day and become the absolute leader and owner of "gold" at a distance of K-1 2000 m.

On August 12-13, 2003, the open championship of Moscow among veterans in rowing and canoeing was held on the rowing canal in Krylatskoye. Rowers of all generations from 35 to 72 years old took part in the race.

The regatta was held according to age groups according to the regulation on veteran races. Despite fierce competition, our land was able to achieve significant success: Sergey Yashin became the champion of Moscow in the age group of 40-44 in the Kayak single, at 5 km, and the four-year-old silver medalist at double and fourth distances, 200 m, Performance in high school , from 35 to 39 years old - these are combined competitions in 1, 2 and 3 places in various nominations of programs.



S. Yashin Russian Open Championship (Pushkino, August 15-17, 03). On August 16-17 this year, the largest international regatta will start in Pushno near Moscow - the Russian Open Championship among veterans in kayaking and canoeing. In addition to Russian athletes, representatives of Belarus and Ukraine took part in it. Despite the fact that Belarus represents only one athlete - Gomel resident Sergei Yashin, he needed to assemble a solid set - he became the champion of Russia three times: in a single kayak at a distance of 1,500 m, in a two in a 200 m with a Ukrainian Anatoly Dudnik, in mix ”at 200 m with an athlete from Nizhny Novgorod Svetlana Bochreva, and was also a bronze medalist alone at a distance of 200 m.

Gomel residents excelled in the second open championship of Ukraine among veterans rowing and canoeing, held in Dnepropetrovsk on September 5-7, 2003. The success was achieved by the canoeist S. Yashin - he became a three-time silver medalist at distances of K-1,500 m, K-1,500 m, K-2 5000 m, canoeist Gennady Gavrilov became a bronze medalist in the double at a distance of 5000 m.

I want to emphasize the successful performance of the hometaker Sergey Yashin at the 8 km Kayak lonely marathon in honor of the closing of the rowing season in Moscow on September 20, 2003, when he won the bronze. Heated the champions and prize-winners of the World Game and the Russian elite of veteran rowing - Vladimir Markov and Anatoly Sharykin.

2004 Olympic Gomel rowing veterans participated in various spring competitions held in Moscow. On May 8, Sergey Yashin again spoke, who competed in a 3 km race with a separate start, took place in the Moscow River, took 1st place in his age group, and showed the results of competitions among all athletes.

The opening of the summer season was marked by a 2.5 km race in the Moscow tract Sosnovy Bor. Competitions were held in the general age of all age groups, the most powerful athletes started in the group of 38-49 years. Master of sports Sergey Yashin came to the finish line after the famous Russian racer Vladimir Markov, losing only 1 second to him.

On June 19-20, 2004, hospitable Nizhny Novgorod hosted rowing veterans from all over Russia and the CIS countries at the 9th Irina Sviridova Memorial. As always, the competition program included a 200m individual sprint and a 2km mass start. The best achievement of Belarusians (the republic was represented by Gomel kayaker Sergei Yashin) on the first day was 4th place in the sprint. But on the second day in the race 2 km to the last meters there was a bitter struggle between Sergey Yashin and the famous master of kayaking Vladimir Markov from Pushkino, Moscow Region. Moskvich managed at the last meters of the race in desperate spurt to snatch the "gold" from his rivals. The "silver" went to the Gomel.

Note that veterans participate in competitions not only in their age groups at their veteran regattas. They successfully participate in the races of existing professional athletes. So, July 21-22, 2004 at the regional championship, master of sports Sergey Yashin in double with Alexander Zayts (Rogachev) became the champion in the distance of 1000 m and the silver medalist in the double-kayak race at 500 m.

And a couple of days later (July 27), the rowing veterans met again on the tracks of the rowing canal in Krylatsky (Moscow), where the open championship of Moscow was held. Representing Belarus Sergey Yashin was the 2nd in the 200m loner race, the first in a pair with Vladimir Markov (Pushkino) at the 200m doubles and won the silver medal in the 5km single kayaks.

On August 2-4, 2004, near Minsk, on the rowing canal in the city of Zaslavl, the first open Championship of Belarus among veterans of rowing and canoeing took place. The regatta was attended by national teams from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Tatarstan and Moldova. Athletes from Moscow, Tver, Arkhangelsk, Odessa, Dnepropetrovsk, Cherkassy, ​​Minsk, Gomel, Bobruisk, Orsha, Kazan and Tiraspol aged 35 to 77 years disputed the right to climb the podium at the award ceremony.

Despite difficulties with financing, travel costs, boat delivery, and much more, the best veteran athletes in the post-Soviet space responded to the appeal of Belarusians. Thus, the national veteran Championship of Belarus turned into an international regatta, in representation and intensity of the struggle not inferior to similar races in Russia and Ukraine.

In the youngest group (35-39 years old), the best result among Belarusians was shown by the kayaker Gennady Mezhennikov (Gomel), who finished third in the 500 m single and second in the 1000 m double with Andrei Tyapkov, a team mate from Arkhangelsk.



Of course, both rowers and spectators were looking forward to the results of the finals in the most famous age group of riders from 45 to 49 years old, because she gathered the most representative composition of last year's champions and prize-winners of Russia and Ukraine. And it should be noted that their expectations were fully met by the Gomel resident, master of sports Sergey Yashin, who became the five-time champion of Belarus. He won with great advantage all the races in the single kayak (500 m, 1000 m, 5 km), and was also the first in the races of 500 and 1000 m in the double with Anatoly Dudnik (Cherkasy). The success of the Gomel kayaker was supported by Vasily Astashov (Bobruisk), he was the first in canoe races.

Of course, all rowing veterans consider the Russian Open Championship to be the most important old season, which traditionally took place on August 21-22 in Pushkino, Moscow Region. In 2004 This regatta gathered more than 250 athletes from Russia and the CIS countries. A busy program required maximum mobilization from participants. Gomel racer master of sports Sergey Yashin won silver in a double kayak with Anatoly Shlepkov (Tver) at a distance of 200 m, in a 200m sprint kayak mix with Svetlana Bochkareva (N. Novgorod) S. Yashin repeated last year’s success - they won Champion of Russia title in this class of boats. Sergey Yashin confirmed his title as one of the best marathoners in the post-Soviet space in a single-kayak race 1.5 km from the mass start - with the best time of the day among all age groups, he was the first to finish.

Rowing season ended with fans of rowing in Kiev, where the III open Championship of Ukraine among rowing veterans was held on September 11-12. Competitions were held in the cup system - only in solitary situations. It should be noted that in Ukraine the traditions of veteran sports are developed quite widely, which contributes to the unusual mass character of such competitions. In the conditions of fierce competition Gomel Sergei Yashin managed to become a two-time Champion of Ukraine: at distances of 500 m and 4 km. In addition, he was the second in the 200m kayak sprint, losing a split second to last year's favorite of these races - five-time champion of Ukraine 2003 Anatoly Dudnik (Cherkasy).

In general, the 2004 rowing season was successful for Belarusian veterans. And this is doubly pleasant, because the victorious core of the national team is precisely Gomel residents. These are masters of sports Sergey Yashin and Gennady Mezhennikov, in the past - both went through a good school at Dynamo with coach Savchenko Anatoly Ivanovich.

The veteran movement in Belarus is gaining momentum: the ranks of veteran athletes are replenishing, the geography of representatives of rowing schools is expanding, Belarusian rowers participate in almost all international regattas in the CIS.

The rowing season of 2005 began at the Gomel residents in Russia. On May 8, 2005, in the Tushino area on the Moscow River, a traditional race of veteran rowers and kayaks took place at a distance of 3 km, dedicated to Victory Day. Of course, the majority of the participants were Russian racers, who had previously brilliantly performed at competitions of the highest rank. However, this did not prevent Belarusians from claiming a place on the podium. After summing up, it turned out that kayakers with the third result of the day (14 min. 34 sec.) Finished Sergey Yashin, who was awarded a silver medal in his age group. The success of the fellow countryman was supported by Gennady Mezhennikov, who showed the fourth time of the day and was awarded “silver” in his age group.

And on May 27-29, 2005, on the rowing canal in the village of Yakubovka, Gomel residents accepted the participants of the 2nd open Championship of Belarus among veterans of rowing and canoeing. The stars of the veteran movement participated in the competition together with Belarusian athletes - representatives of Moscow, St. Petersburg, Tver, Tiraspol and other cities that had previously climbed the highest steps of the podium at prestigious races in the CIS and international regattas.

Gomel hospitably opened its doors for veteran athletes who warmly responded to the invitation of their oar mates. Great organizational support for the veteran regatta was provided by the head coach of the Republican Center for Physical Education and Sports Alexander Popov and the director of the Gomel SDYUSHOR-6 judge of the highest national category Valery Shevchik. Warm welcome and assistance in accommodating participants in the regatta was provided by the director of the city station for young tourists Vladimir Kozlenko. And the Gomel athletes themselves did not stand aside - they took upon themselves the organization of paperwork on applications, starting protocols, the preparation of the technical results of the competitions, the procedure for awarding winners and prize-winners.

Master class races are significantly different from youth competitions and professional regattas. The main difference is that athletes compete not so much for absolute superiority as for victory in their age groups, because the age of the participants ranges from 35 to .80 years (see the champions and prize-winners of the competition in the picture). However, this does not reduce the intensity of the struggle: often the winners of veteran races show results that meet the current standards of candidates for master of sports.

In the youngest group of competitors (35-39 years old) in the category of single kayaks at distances of 500 and 1000 m Gomel resident Boris Parfenov was the first, for whom these competitions were his debut in veteran races. In the same group, the Belarusian canoeist became the champion at 1000m: Yakov Malyukov (Novolukoml).

The best in the group of 40-44 was the kayak racer of the Tver Fan club, master of sports Sergey Streltsov. He collected all the "gold" alone in his group and showed the best time of competition in the races of singles and twos at distances of 500 and 1000m. By the way, his partner in the two was a Gomel resident, master of sports Gennady Mezhennikov, who added to the victories the two more “silver” single races at 1000 and 5000 m.



In the next age group, a five-time (!) Champion of Belarus was Gomel, master of sports Sergey Yashin, who in a bitter struggle won all the races of singles and twos, and also became the absolute champion in the 5 km race. His partner in the double kayak was the famous Tver racer, master of sports of the international class Anatoly Shlepkov, who was the second in the loner race at distances of 500 and 5000 m. It is gratifying that the third in the lone canoe race at 1000 m was also a Gomel, coach SDYUSHOR- 6, master of sports Viktor Oleshkevich, who made his debut in veteran races and clearly showed his young pupils an example of determination and endurance. The success of the Gomel residents was supported by the Bobruich canoeists: Alexander Shakuro (40-44 years old) and Vasily Astashov (50-54 years old) became champions of Belarus at a distance of 1000 m in their age groups. Speaking about Belarusians, one cannot fail to mention the most eminent racer - the Olympic champion, honored master of sports Nikolai Gorbachev (Rogachev), who also made his debut in the races of a master class of this rank and became the champion of Belarus in his age group (55-59 years old) at a distance of 1000 m

The competition ended with an award ceremony. Winners and prize-winners in memory of the Belarusian regatta were awarded medals and diplomas. Then friends on the oar together made plans for the future, warmly said goodbye, exchanged addresses and phone numbers. Wishing each other good health and good luck, the athletes went home, promising to meet again on the waterways at the next starts. It is symbolic that the weather seemed to reflect the hospitality and hospitality of the Gomel residents - all three days of the competition were sunny and warm. In addition to photographs and diplomas, let Belarusian athletes and foreign guests keep warm memories of their visit to Gomel and Gomel athletes at heart.

On June 17-19, 2005, more than 200 rowers from 16 to 80 years old from 30 cities of the CIS countries gathered at the X Memorial of the Honored Trainer of the USSR Irina Sviridova in the capital of the Volga region Nizhny Novgorod. This large-scale international regatta, supported by the leadership of the Nizhny Novgorod factory of champagne wines, Fort and the local regional rowing federation, has been gathering the best veteran rowers and youth from all over Russia and other republics for many years running. By the number of participants and competition, races are comparable only with the open Championship of Russia.

Competitions are open and invitations to participate in them are sent to all neighboring states. Gomel residents also received such a personal invitation, because our fellow athletes have long been recognized by the Russian rowing elite as a serious rival. So, Sergey Yashin has repeatedly in recent years in various categories become the champion of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. In the lists of winners of prestigious races, the name of Gennady Mezhennikov appears more and more often. In Nizhny Novgorod, the participants of the competition were given a warm welcome, all the time during the competition the athletes felt the care of the organizers.

According to tradition, the first day medals were played in kayaking and canoeing alone in the 200 m sprint. Given that the 2005 competitions are an anniversary memorial, in each category there was fierce competition and wrestling to the last meters of the distance. On June 18, in the final races in the fight against the strongest Russian racers from Belarus, only the debutant of such large-scale competitions Boris Parfyonov managed to get "bronze". All the rest were content with more modest lines of protocols of technical results. Among canoeists from other regions, Sergei Streltsov (Tver), Vladimir Markov (Pushkino), Anatoly Sharykin (Moscow Region), who became champions in their age groups, confirming the highest class of elite racers of Russia, should be noted.



But, having remained without medals on the first day, our fellow countrymen concentrated their forces on preparing for a 2 km race. On the second day of the competition, good physical preparation and strong-willed qualities did their job - all Belarusians were awarded well-deserved awards. Gomel residents Boris Parfenov and Gennady Mezhennikov at this distance in their age groups finished third, Sergey Yashin became the champion of the international regatta, and honorary citizen of the city of Rogachev, Olympic champion, chairman of the regional kayaking and canoeing federation Nikolai Gorbachev became the bronze winner of the prestigious race. By the way, the latter, after a long break, made his debut in races of this rank, which inexpressibly pleased his former colleagues in the oar - Russian athletes-veterans.

On August 19-21, 2005, in Pushkino, near Moscow, Russians warmly welcomed participants to the Russian Kayaking and Canoe Championship, which was held under the program of the VI All-Russian Sports Veteran Games. Hundreds of Russians and guests from friendly republics came to measure their strength and challenge the title of champions and prize-winners of the largest international regatta.

By tradition, Belarus was represented by Gomel kayakers Sergei Yashin and Gennady Mezhennikov. In 2005, the competition was more intense than ever, and in every nomination it was necessary to give all the best “100%”, since on the eve of many Russian athletes returned from Canada, where the World Sports Veterans Games were held, and from Hungary, which hosted the 1st Championship Europe among veteran rowers. We must pay tribute to rowing veterans from Russia - practically in all categories they became winners and prize-winners of these sports forums. The very situation of the struggle with the newly-made "stars" of rowing sports required not only sports training, but also corresponding strong-willed qualities.



It is glad to note that the Belarusians did not disappoint. On the first day of the 200m sprint competition, Sergei Yashin in the single kayak won the bronze medal, with teammate from Tver Anatoly Shlepkov they won silver in the double kayak race. And in the late evening, the crew, tested over the years by Sergey Yashin (Gomel) - Svetlana Bochkareva (Nizhny Novgorod) became the "gold" in the doubles-mix race. Gomel residents and Gennady Mezhennikov also contributed to the piggy bank: he was the first in the doubles-mix race in the age group of 35-39 years and the second in men's doubles at 200m in the group of 30-35 years old.

The bright morning sun on August 21 set up the struggle that was to be waged at a long distance of 1500m. Few athletes can boast the ability to walk a marathon well, because it requires large amounts of training and corresponding volitional qualities. The losers of the sprint tried to win back what was lost, and the "stars" tried to prevent the image from falling. In a difficult and intense struggle at a distance, Gomel residents managed to show their high class: Sergey Yashin became the champion of Russia, and Gennady Mezhennikov became the silver medalist of the international regatta, while the champions and prize-winners of the aforementioned European competitions remained behind the feed of the Gomel residents.

The rowing season of 2006 for Gomel athletes-veterans began with a performance at the traditional race in Moscow Tushino alone for 3 km from a separate start. Luck accompanied Sergei Yashin - he became the winner in the age group of 45-49 years old, Gennady Mezhennikov - was the third in his (40-44).



On August 5-6, 2006, rowers-veterans gathered Krylatskoye, where the Moscow Open Championship was held. The peculiarity of this race was that it took place on the eve of the 2nd European Championship and was a kind of estimate of their strength and an occasion for manning command boats for the upcoming trip to Poland. According to the results of the races, the following situation developed: Sergey Yashin was the first at distances of 5 km and 1000 m alone, as well as in the double with Gennady Mezhennikov at 1000 meters. At 200 meters in a single kayak, Yashin won silver, and in the double with Nikolai Stepanov (Moscow) won the 200-meter doubles race. Gennady Mezhennikov won the gold in the 200-meter doubles race with the Tver racer Vadim Novikov in the group of 30-35 years old, as well as the “bronze” alone in the 1000-meter races and 5 km.



On August 11-13, 2006, the hospitable Polish Poznan met rowing veterans who gathered to measure strength at the 2nd European Championship. The most numerous and trained teams were represented by Russia. Ukraine, Poland, Germany and Hungary. There were separate representatives from other states. Despite the rather difficult weather conditions, the struggle for medals was more acute than ever. Representing Belarus, Sergey Yashin managed to become the two-time European kayak champion (Alexander Bakharev (Moscow), Victor Nezhdanov (Tolyatti) and Vladimir Molodozhenov (Moscow), together with Russian colleagues in the oar. Sergey Yashin won silver in the pair with Alexander Bakharev. 1000 m race. And the four-crew crew with representatives of St. Petersburg, which was raked by Sergey Yashin, was second in the 200 m sprint.

On August 18-20, 2006, the traditional 9th ​​Russian Championship among veterans of kayaking and canoeing in Pushkino, Moscow Region, was held. Gomelchanin Sergey Yashin became the two-time Russian champion in a single kayak at a distance of 200m and 1500m, the second in a two-person race in a 200m race with Vladimir Shemetov (Magnitogorsk), and also won the silver medal in the relay race with bobruian Natalya Kurlyandchik and Voronezh canoe-rider Kotykhov Vadim.

On September 8-10, 2006, the hospitable Club of veterans of kayaking and canoeing in Dnepropetrovsk met the participants of the 3rd open Championship of Ukraine among rowing veterans. The most famous racers of Ukraine, Russia, Belarus and Moldova participated in the competitions. Noteworthy was the fact that athletes chasing at the European Championships in Poznan in August of the same year met here in person, where applications divorced rowers in different races. It should be noted that traditionally in the Ukrainian championships the widest and richest program: from singles at 200 m to doubles at 5 km, in addition, the races brightened the 4x200m relay races and the quadruple runs at 200 m.

When summing up the results, the owner of the main prize was revealed, he became the racer from Odessa Valery Cherevko - the owner of 8 (!) Gold awards. Of the Belarusians, master of sports Sergey Yashin (Gomel) and MSMK Natalya Kurlyandchik (Bobruisk) took part in the championship. Gomelchanin took the “gold” in the sprint of four kayaks on 200 m and the relay 4x200 m, the “silver” in races on 5 km alone and two, as well as the “bronze” alone on 200 m and two on 1000 m. Natalya Kurlyandchik was Out of competition at all her distances, and in addition to awards at the final banquet, organized by the organizers, to a general ovation she received a gorgeous bouquet of roses in honor of the 40th anniversary, which happened just at the time of the competition.

By tradition, rowers complete the season with marathons. So it was in 2006, when Muscovites invited Belarusians to the already traditional autumn marathon in Krylatskoye, gathering the strongest Russian rowers from Moscow, Moscow Region, St. Petersburg, Tver and other rowing centers of Russia. Only one racer of the master class Sergey Yashin responded to the call. The race was a distance of 15 km, broken down according to the following pattern: a 5 km circle along the rowing canal + crossroad + 5 km ring along the Moscow River + 5 km crossroads along the rowing canal. Passions before the start were heated up to the limit, because the first most numerous group, built on a mass start, consisted of acting Russian rowing masters, eminent veteran racers and a growing shift rowers over 16 years old. At the command “March!” The ribbon of boats, which occupied the entire width of the canal in Krylatsky, rushed forward. But the marathon is not a sprint, after 2 km a leading group of 7 people formed, in which the Belarusian rider managed to stay. After the dash, the ardor of the athletes faded somewhat, and it was here that such qualities as endurance and willpower appeared. After the second run, Sergey was already driving 5th, and at the finish line he managed to get around another Russian rower. As a result of the race with active athletes, we got the 4th place in the overall standings and the 1st among the rowers of the master class - an excellent indicator that summed up the harvest season of our fellow countryman.

The rowing season of 2007 was marked by a replenishment for the Gomel rowers of the master class — two more former pupils A. Savchenko - Arkady Plechnin and Vladimir Vedenyapin, decided to return to sports. Training has become more fun, competition has increased, which means that the results should improve.

Gomel residents made their first international start in Krylatskoye. There on July 14-15, 2007 the open championship of Moscow among veterans of rowing and canoeing was held. Representative of Belarusians in the Russian capital decided to master of sports Sergey Yashin and the Olympic champion of 1970 (Munich) from Rogachev Nikolay Gorbachev, who recently returned to active master sports.

Muscovites organized a warm welcome, because the participation of foreign representatives automatically turns the race into an international regatta. Excellent organization of refereeing, competitions, prompt execution of results and technical protocols, a small banquet at which you could remember the past and chat with friends. A great contribution to the organization of the sports forum was made by Moscow businessmen, also rowing veterans, Alexander Pastukhov, Igor Zarubin, Alexander Bakharev. The incomparable commentary of the competition, performed by the press officer of the Russian Rowing Federation Yuri Plekhanov, will be remembered for a long time by both athletes and fans.

Despite the small composition, the Gomel residents returned with a solid “catch”: Sergey Yashin was three times silver (single 1000m and 5km, two 1000m) and once a bronze medalist (two 200m). Nikolai Gorbachev also distinguished himself: he was a medalist in a double with Yuri Belov (S. Petersburg) at 200 and 1000 meters, and alone at 5 km. This is how the 59-year-old chairman of the regional rowing federation set an example for the younger generation.



And a month later, on August 18-19, 2007, hospitably opened the doors of the Serebryanka sports base (Pushkino, Moscow Region), where traditionally Russian master kayaking and canoeing championships are held. This time, master of sports Gennady Mezhennikov also joined the aforementioned athletes.

And this time, our countrymen pleased the fans: the Russian champion in the double at a distance of 200m with Ivan Kuzmin (Syzran) became Nikolai Gorbachov. At a distance of 1.5 km in a single kayak, Sergey Yashin became the champion of Russia, Gennady Mezhennikov took the bronze in a bitter struggle, and, sitting together in a double kayak, they were second in the 200m sprint.

Veterans (Sergey Yashin and Arkady Plechnin) took part in the race for the program of the Autumn Cup of Belarus (Gomel) alone by 5 km, where Sergey Yashin out of 35 declared participants took 11th line of the final protocol.

And our fellow countrymen finished the season on September 23, 2007 with a traditional 15 km marathon in Krylatskoye (Moscow), where veteran athletes participated in the mass start along with professionals who are active masters of kayaking. The result - Sergey Yashin was the 7th after the eminent Russian athletes.

On May 10, 2008 in Moscow, rowers of the CIS master-class in kayaking and canoeing opened their next season. According to the established tradition, Muscovites and guests of the capital received the Kanu-kayak rowing base in the Tushino area. The strongest athletes aged 30 to 76 from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Bronnits, Pushkino, Ruza, Syzran, Voronezh, Samara, Tolyatti, as well as Chisinau (Moldova), Gomel and Bobruisk (Belarus) gathered to measure strength after the autumn -winter break and, of course, chat, find out the news of the world of rowing and the development of veteran sports in the CIS.

Despite warm and friendly communication on the shore, serious passions flared up on the water, and it is not surprising - after all, the best representatives of the regions, multiple winners and prize-winners of not only the championships of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, but also European regattas, as well as the World Veterans Games participated in the race.

Traditional competitions dedicated to Victory Day took place on the waters of the Moscow River and were a race from a separate start at a distance of 3 km alone. Before the start, all participants passed the credentials committee, received starting numbers, were familiarized with the procedure for the races. The young kayakers were the first to start, then their ascending counterparts in ascending order. Canoeing took the baton, and the women's lap canoe closed the race.

Before the race, everyone was worried about the weather, because cold rain and strong wind would significantly complicate the competition. However, the skies that day were favorable to the organizers of the regatta - the light morning wind in the dinner had almost abated, and numerous rowing fans and fans were able to make wonderful photo and video frames without interference.

At 12-30 an international category referee Vladimir Obidin kicked off the first participant in the race, followed by the rest of the athletes after an interval of 1 minute. The distance of 3 km for the first start of veterans was not chosen by chance. According to the honored trainer of Russia Andrei Kurtev, it is precisely the average distance that can show an athlete’s aerobic fitness at the beginning of the season and, in addition, it takes into account the age-related characteristics of the master-class riders.

After 2 hours, the panel of judges, composed of Maria Malofeeva and Zoya Yudina, announced the results of the competition and prepared the awarding ceremony for the winners and prize-winners.

The winners in their age groups are:

single kayak, men - Vadim Novikov (Tver), Vitaly Smirnov (Tver), Sergey Streltsov (Tver), Sergey Yashin (Gomel / Belarus), Vladimir Molodozhenov (Moscow), Nezhdanov Victor (Tolyatti), Valentin Ivanov (Tver) , Yuri Averyanov (Tolyatti);

on the canoe men - Ivan Feklin (St. Petersburg), Konstantin Zemtsov (Voronezh), Sergey Baranov (Voronezh, Sergey Tochenov (Moscow), Anatoly Rzhannikov (Moscow), Valentin Ivanov (Tver), Stanislav Musanov (Moscow);

on a single kayak, women - Alla Nureyeva (Moscow), Naila Latypova (Moscow), Natalya Kurlyandchik (Bobruisk), Lyubov Lakekhal (Ruza), Tatyana Petrova (Moscow).

In the absolute championship places were distributed as follows:

male kayak: 1st place - Sergey Streltsov, 2nd - Sergey Yashin (Gomel), 3rd - Vitaly Smirnov;

canoeing: 1st place - Konstantin Zemtsov, 2nd - Sergey Baranov, 3rd - Vyacheslav Chekanin; Kayak women: 1st place - Alla Nureyeva, 2nd - Natalya Kurlyandchik (Bobruisk), 3rd - Lyubov Lakehal.

Athletes alternately climbed the podium, in the flashes of cameras took congratulations and awards, and only then, while standing in the ranks, compared their technical results.

Welcoming speech on behalf of the Russian Federation of Kayaking and Canoeing in Russia to the participants of the competition was addressed by press attaché Yuri Plekhanov, who wished the veterans rowing sports longevity and new successes. It should be noted that Plekhanov with his characteristic erudition and humor successfully comments on almost all the large-scale master class races taking place in Moscow and Moscow region. This time during the race, the head judge of the competition Vladimir Obidin did not let the megaphone out of his hands, so Plekhanov had to pour out his energy not only in official circulation, but also in informal communication.

The Tver rowing club “Fanat” excelled in the team event, the kayakers of which took the largest set of gold medals. Guests from Voronezh dominated the canoe, and Muscovites among female canoeists.

After the award, according to a good tradition, everyone gathered at the table in order to recall youth, thousands of tons of mixed water, the joy of victories and the bitterness of defeat, learn about the life of their rival friends, sing songs and dream about plans for the future. But it is just around the corner - in addition to the traditional international regatta in Nizhny Novgorod and the Russian Championship near Pushkino near Moscow, scheduled for this year, in the future it is planned to participate in the next World Games of veterans in Australia, where they remember desperate Russian guys at the last meters of the distance wresting a victory from their rivals.

Saying goodbye, all athletes warmly thanked the head of the Sports Committee of the North-West Administrative District of Moscow Vladimir Molodozhenov, head of the Physical Culture and Sports Department of Moscow State Pedagogical University Andrei Kurtev, associate professor of the department and the main permanent organizer of this race for over 10 years, Alexander Tarasov and his assistants for the warm welcome, clear rules of the race and excellent refereeing.



The oars of veteran rowers have not yet dried up after the first spring start in Tushino in honor of Victory Day, and the representatives of the master class together with the young generation gathered on May 31, 2008 in Serebryany Bor to conduct mass rides at a half marathon distance of 6 km along the Moscow River . These competitions have already become traditional for a long time and are the culmination of a large sports festival for the opening of the health season held by the administration of the NEAD of Moscow.

The festival program includes competitions in checkers, chess, volleyball, weight lifting, rope, games, etc., but, of course, the rowing regatta is the most popular sight, which, in addition to athletes, gathers a large number of fans who actively support their representatives and fix the move racing on cameras and camcorders.

Competitions of kayaking and canoeing gather professionals and amateurs from schoolchildren to veterans of rowing with a solid experience, which are divided into age groups with a graduation of 10 years. Personal competitions, in single boats, with a mass start in the combined age groups. The start is preceded by a credentials committee, receipt of numbers, announcement of the race and distance.

At 12-00, the honored trainer of Russia, the head of the Moscow State Pedagogical University department Andrei Kurtev, started the first race of men in single kayaks, followed by the combined canoe and women race, with an interval of 5 minutes, then the youth kayakers, and the canoe-boys and kayaking girls.

Weather conditions didn’t particularly indulge - the transverse wave seriously complicated the maintenance of speed at a distance, and speed boats, sometimes sweeping past the rowers' cohorts, also made their negative contribution. Some athletes who turned upside down did not reach the finish line, others who weakened after the race and lost their vigilance took a swim after the finish line to the amazement and cheers of the fans. But the bulk of the riders successfully overcame all the difficulties of the race from the mass start, showing decent technical results.

The absolute leader of the race was Alexander Bazarov, a person in rowing known for his success at professional championships of Russia and international starts. The second, as expected from the portfolio of available regalia, is Andrey Knyazev. The Tver racer Sergey Streltsov, the universally recognized leader of veteran races of recent years, also entered the top three, he also became the winner in the group of 40-49 years. In the same, most competitive group, the master of sports from Belarus Sergey Yashin (Gomel) became the silver medalist.

It should be noted the excellent, which has become traditional, organization of the distance, credentials committee, refereeing and rewarding held by the team consisting of the head of the sports committee of the North-Western Administrative District of Moscow Vladimir Molodozhenov, who, incidentally, has gold medals in the masters regattas of Russia, Europe and the World Games, employees of the Moscow State Pedagogical University department Associate Professor Alexander Tarasov and teacher Maria Malofeeva. It was their efforts that sporting events turned into a real celebration with informal communication between representatives of all generations of rowing.

The next day. On June 1, 2008, almost the entire elite of veteran rowing in Moscow and Moscow region gathered in Mamontovka, Pushkin District, to congratulate the local sports school on its 50th anniversary. At the opening parade of the competition, many warm and sincere words were said to the founders and enthusiasts of the local canoeing and canoeing school Kaverina, Mityaev, Rodinov, Stepanenko, Markov and many others. All of them were awarded with diplomas, valuable gifts and unique beauty commemorative medals. After the parade, the organizing committee began to hold competitions.



The race was a separate start at a distance of 3 km for men and 2 km for women along the Ucha River with an interval of 30 seconds between the rowers. It should be noted that the specificity of this race was that the shallow water and the abundance of turns of a small rivulet did not allow the riders to develop cruising speed, and at the end of the distance the water density seemed incredible. But in contrast to large bodies of water there was no pitching, side wave, strong gusts of wind, which turned out to be a decisive positive factor in the feedback of veterans about the quality of organizing the race and the race as a whole.

The absolute leader of the race was the Belarusian driver master of sports Sergey Yashin, the eminent local rower Vladimir Markov showed the second result, and the Moscow veteran Alexander Bakharev had the third technical result.

It is gratifying that in veteran sports there is a constant replenishment of the ranks. Athletes who have already dedicated almost a legend and have devoted more than 10 years to the master class are joined by rowing enthusiasts from almost all generations from 30 to 80 years old. Well, and where there is competition, the results will inevitably grow. It is no coincidence that at the largest international master regattas the championship in the team standings stably remains with the Russian team.

From July 18 to 20, 2008, in the immediate vicinity of the city of Bender, known for its sad events in 1991, the 1st open championship of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic in rowing and canoeing among veterans took place. The participants were accommodated in one of the recreation centers located on the Dniester River. The initiators of the event were several veterans of the Transnistrian rowers under the auspices of the great rowing enthusiast Nikolai Gnedin, who were supported by rowing schools in the cities of Bender and Tiraspol. Due to the fact that the regatta was held for the first time and there was no clear clarity on the composition of the participants, the athletes were divided into two age groups: 30-49 years old, 50 years and older, which only added piquancy and competition in the races.



Belarus at these races was represented by the Gomel master class school consisting of Arkady Plechnin (CCM), Gennady Mezhennikov (MC) and Boris Parfenov (CCM). It should be noted that A. Plechnin participated in the international regatta for the first time, but this did not prevent him from collecting a rich crop of medals - at each distance he managed to enter the coveted top three winners, receiving a sprint distance of 200 m alone and in a double with a partner from Kherson Yu .Dmitriev became the champion of competitions.

Other Gomel residents didn’t fail: they took the “silver”: G. Mezhennikov alone at 2000 m and B. Parfyonov at 200 m. Then they were second in the two at 200, 500 and 2000 m. In addition, the trio of Gomel together with the Ukrainian I. Burov became bronze medalists in the kayak four at 200 and 500 meters.

As a result, in the team event, Gomel rowing veterans were awarded second place and a commemorative cup.

And in the evening, gathered at the traditional “round” table, praising the ear carefully prepared by the organizers of the regatta, everyone exchanged impressions about the race and built pans for the future.



On August 9-10, 2008 in Pushkino, Moscow Region, a traditional rowing forum of Russia was held - the open Championship of kayaking and canoeing among veterans. More than 300 riders, formed in 8 age groups (30 to 80 years old), measured their strengths in a sprint at 200 m and endurance at a long distance of 1,500 m. Arriving guests from Belarus, Ukraine, and Moldova intensified competition in races to the limit. It should be noted that in miracles no miracles usually happen, and proven racers were nominated for prizes, in the archive of which there are titles of winners and prize-winners of national championships, major international regattas, European Masters Championships and World Veteran Games. In the most intense fight, the Gomel master of sports Sergey Yashin won the bronze medal in a double kayak with a team mate from Moscow at 200 m and alone at 1500 m, showing one of the best results of the day in the marathon.

On August 23-24, 2008, the hospitable capital of Ukraine hosted the first large-format international regatta. The refereeing team on the Matveyevsky Bay in Kiev formed the starting protocols for the races in singles, deuces and quadruples at distances of 200, 500 and 1000 m. Such an abundance of starts in one race can be envied by the championship of the Central Committee of any society in the post-Soviet space. Moreover, the organizers of the competition provided housing and boats for racing.

And here the Gomel residents did not fail: by the end of the award ceremony, medals on yellow-blue ribbons hung on the necks of our rowing veterans. G. Mezhennikov with a partner and S. Petersburg I. Lychev took the “silver” per 1000 m, he and B. Parfyonov were third in the sprint at 200 m, A. Plechnin in the kayak and St. Petersburg I. Lychev also took “Bronze” for 1000 m. And already at the end of the regatta, the Gomel four (Lychev, Mezhennikov, Parfyonov, Plechin) confidently won the final for 1000 m in the group of 45-49 years. The winners, prize winners and all other participants in the regatta were heartily congratulated by the Olympians Inna Osipenko and Yuri Cheban, who had just arrived from Beijing.



On August 23, 2008, the hospitable Vyshny Volochek (Tver Oblast) hosted professionals and rowing veterans in a traditional round-robin race. A feature of the race is that the athlete himself chooses which laps of the distance he must go. As a result, points are calculated, and the winner and prize-winners are determined. The only Belarus Sergei Yashin was in second place at the final finish lap, however, he took 4th place in the race, losing the podium to younger eminent athletes.

On September 6, 2008, at the Serebryanka rowing base (Pushkino), Moscow Region, the next traditional race took place - the Lokomotiv Open Masters Championship for the prizes of Didenko and Kaverin, who personally presented medals and prizes to the winners and winners of the competition. The program included single and double kayak races at 500 m and a single marathon at 1,500 m. Autumn weather did not indulge, but in the heat of excitement the athletes did not notice this. As a result, Gomel resident Sergey Yashin, who participated in the race, became the champion at a distance of 1500m, and showed the best time of the day among all age groups. In the double at 500 m with a partner from Moscow, they were also the best. In a 500m sprint in a lone kayak, S. Yashin was a bronze medalist.



According to established tradition for veteran athletes, the season ends with a marathon. In Krylatskoye (Moscow), on September 20, in severe weather conditions, a start was made in the combined race of rowing athletes 20 years and older. It should be noted that young riders are much more disposed towards the sprint, which affected the first 2 km (before the turn). A group of leaders consisting of 7 boats left the bulk of the athletes, gradually moving away and leaving no chance of winning prizes. The rest got involved in the struggle for the remaining places in the finish protocol. After the turn, apparently overestimating their capabilities, part of the riders lagged behind the leading four, thereby giving a chance to Gomel Sergei Yashin to show what rowing veterans are capable of. And he didn’t miss this chance - as a result, S. Yashin finished 5th place in the 18-kilometer race (4 laps on the rowing canal), which is not bad for the Russian scale.

And the rowers put the final point in the 2008 season at the hospitable sports base Serebryanka (Pushkino), where the athletes chased at a distance of 1.5 km in single kayaks. Unexpected warming positively affected the masses of participants from beginner rowing schoolchildren to experienced veterans. The combined race of men of all categories was confidently won by Gomel resident Sergei Yashin, who traditionally turned Russian competitions into an international regatta.

After the round-table competition, the race participants drank tea hospitably provided by the organizers, and together with the permanent inspirer and innovator of all the veteran regattas, Yuri Ivanovich Rodionov, discussed plans for the next responsible season.

This year, world attention is focused on the Beijing Olympics. Well, in the next, of course, all veteran athletes and their fans will be waiting for the starts in Sydney (Australia), where the next World Games of Sports Veterans are scheduled to be held (World Masters Games - 2009). We wish our rowing veterans health, prosperity and new victories in Russian and international regattas!

The 2009 season is one of the most important periods of proficiency testing, because under the auspices of the International Rowing Federation (ICF) on September 5-6 this year in the Czech Republic near Prague, the first World Championship among rowing veterans is scheduled. Given the venue of the regatta, we can assume that the competition will be fierce, since all the main centers of rowing in Europe are nearby, and, of course, there will be many who wish to compete for the World Champion title in the master class.

In addition, on October 12-18, 2009, hospitable Sydney (Australia) will open the doors for participants in the World Masters Games (WMG-2009) - this is the name of the Olympic Games of veterans, held every four years alternately in Australia or Canada.

Therefore, already now the training regimen of Gomel rowing veterans is aimed at achieving a high level of endurance and strength, which are so necessary for success in rowing. The basis of the training is ski training, swimming, work on simulators. Moreover, you can test yourself in the autumn-winter preparatory period with success in massive winter ski starts, which is what rowers use.

Given that in the Gomel region there are no corresponding ski tracks and large-scale ski races are not held, Gomel residents take every opportunity to participate in ski marathons in Russia, where 40-50 km races are highly respected among athletes of all sports and generations.

So on January 24, 2009 in the marathon for 43 km "Istra Dali", held at the "Romantic" sanatorium near Moscow, took part Gomel sportsman Sergei Yashin. Of course, lack of special training and age does not allow competing with professional young skiers, but the main task - to test your body for strength, was completed. The race ended already in the evening. The emotional atmosphere, the well-prepared relief trail, well-organized meals at a distance (raisins, dried apricots, hot tea), the time stamps for each round of the course left a great impression about this start.

The next test of the volitional qualities of rowing veterans was the stage of the Russian Cup in ski marathons (Rossialoppet-2009), held in Dubna, which went down in history under the name “Nikolov Perevoz” (www.russialoppet.ru). Unlike last year’s race, held at positive temperature over the river’s ice flooded with water, in 2009 the frost reached T = -24С. However, this did not frighten the real lovers of marathons, and a large number of participants went to the start. The results of the marathon were summed up both in the overall standings and by age groups, which, undoubtedly, increases the motivation of veteran riders. The harsh Russian winter made itself felt, therefore, of the more than 900 athletes who declared for the start, less than half finished, and the 231st who arrived, Sergey Yashin, traveled 50 km in 2 hours 57 minutes. Well-organized meals at a distance, marking the route, a lot of room for maneuvers in the waters of the Dubna River left a good impression and strengthened the desire to return here next year.



Of course, the decoration of Russian marathons are the super-mass ski runs “Moscow Ski Track” and “Ski Track of Russia”, whose marathons in 2009 were combined as part of the “Moscow Ski Track”, which started on February 8 at the Planernaya Sports Center. Usually the number of all participants in a sports festival reaches about 20 thousand people. Only at the start of the 40 km marathon 2000 athletes came out, and those starting at 10 km and 5 km filled the huge starting field to the limit. Along with amateurs and veteran athletes, the race was attended by representatives of national ski racing teams from Russia and Belarus. Sergey Dolidovich (Belarus) won the race. Gomel fellow citizen Sergey Yashin, who was 300th in the finish protocol with a time of 2 hours 18 minutes, supported the success. out of 870 athletes who successfully completed the distance. The track in the “Glider” is famous for its uplift-pulls and steep descents, so not everyone who started had a chance to get to the finish line. On the other hand, everyone completing the race was presented with a certificate of passage and a commemorative sports cap with the emblem of the race. Near the finish, they were treated to bread and salt and poured hot tea with lemon to the songs of pop artists.

The real test for all participants of the Krasnogorsk marathon-2009 was the 3x17km ski race track, which was held on February 22, 2009 under the Russialoppet-2009 program. The well-prepared, packed and marked track was abundantly “decorated” with incredible elevation changes in ascents and descents with sharp turns, the speed of which exceeded 40 km / h. In the heat of wrestling, not everyone was able to cope with the force of inertia, and numerous blockages created an additional extreme mass start. Representing Gomel rower-veterans Sergey Yashin managed to cope with a difficult track and finished 245th with a result of 3h 02min out of 850 starting marathon masters.

Sometimes you need to test yourself in the winter and in the sprint. This is facilitated by open starts at various competitions. So on March 7, 2009 at the ski stadium in Moscow Bitsa the “Water World” Championship was held in the free-style ski race for 10 km. The race was held on the eve of the next stage of the marathons, so not many people risked testing themselves on the “top ten”. Sergey Yashin decided to do this too - it turned out that it was not in vain. He reached the finish line in the overall standings 12th with a time of 29 minutes. 51 seconds, which is 2 minutes (!) Better than 1 category according to the current standards of skiers, while simultaneously winning their age group.

 

On March 8, 2009, in Bitsa, a ski marathon was held according to the program of the Russian Cup Russialoppet-2009), which brought together about a thousand athletes .. The weather changed dramatically overnight: wet snow just overwhelmed the entire track, and the organizers simply did not have time to ride it. As a result, the race turned out to be extremely difficult: after long ascents, pulls followed an even steeper terrain, and, alas, not everyone had the chance to get to the treasured descents. And on the slopes, the speed reached 45 km / h, and chronically was not enough time to relax. Three laps in the end amounted to 54 km, which in the prevailing weather conditions and the condition of the route was an insurmountable obstacle for many experienced participants in the race who retired. Gomelchanin Sergey Yashin conducted the race exclusively on strong-willed qualities and was with the result of 3 hours 38 minutes the 163rd out of 764 participants who reached the finish line.

Traditionally, the penultimate Saturday of March, Rosavtobank holds a winter ski festival in Krasnogorsk, near Moscow, where both old and young compete at various distances from 1 to 50 km. It is clear that short starts are more reminiscent of the show, however, the organizers took care of each category of participants and their fans. Starting the start of the children's launches on 03.21.09 at 10-00 and sending hundreds of ski lovers to a distance, the organizers approached the culmination of the holiday - a 50 km free style marathon. In addition to experienced skiers tested over the years, the red group also included professional athletes who fought for solid cash prizes in the overall standings. At exactly 12-00 a signal rang out and a column of a thousand skiers rushed forward. It should be noted that the Krasnogorsk route is replete with slalom bends on the slopes, where massive blockages take place, and with climbing walls, on which even experienced marathon runners “hang”. But most of the riders still managed the distance and safely reached the finish line. Sergey Yashin, who participated in the marathon, was not lucky that day - at the 5th kilometer he was stepped on a stick, in which a trap exploded. I had to stop, repair, somehow knit an uncomfortable knot and 45 km to catch up with the rest. Nevertheless, the result is 3 hours 7 minutes - for a “one-armed” veteran skier it’s not bad at all. After all, the main thing is that the difficulties did not break the will, and the body withstood unforeseen loads.



Not giving his best at the marathon as a result of a breakdown in equipment, Sergey and other veteran rowers decided to try their strength the next day in a classic style race at a distance of 30 km in Peresvet, Moscow region (Sergiev-Pasadsky district). The weather was sunny and a little frosty. On a trial run, the skis were rolled. Everyone was ready to start. It should be noted that the organizers did everything at the highest level, which pleasantly surprised Muscovites and visiting guests. The starting glade of the ski stadium was marked out on 10 (!) Tracks of the classical course, the participants were divided into groups, and 3-4 well-profiled tracks ran along the entire length of the track. It’s clear that you won’t be able to run through the classics in your skating equipment, however, the Olympic principle - participation, excelled here. And it should be noted that on the plain and downhill rowers were not inferior to experienced skiers. The treachery of skating skis, paraffinized only for gliding, and long poles was revealed on the slopes, where veterans experienced all the "charms" of recoil and shooting of skis. There was only one reliable on the upper shoulder girdle - and he did not disappoint. Lagging behind the retreating elite of professional racers, Sergei Yashin, skidding on the hills, more than compensated for the lag on the flat areas, and on the slopes he simply flew away from his pursuers. The result is 1 hour 46 minutes, not bad, considering that the standard of 1 category for skiers for 30 km with a classic style is 1 hour 48 minutes. Well, then - buckwheat porridge with stew from the field kitchen, hot tea, award ceremony - and other attributes of a sports festival. The mood after the race was excellent, and the body seemed to not feel tired from a serious two-day load.

March 29, 2009 in the Moscow sports complex Bitsa (www.bitza-sport.ru) a free-style race was held to mark the end of the winter season. Traditionally, representatives of all ages participate in it on tracks from 5 to 15 km long. The participation of children and lovers brings their own unique aura of competition: it becomes bright, noisy, fun at the starting meadow. At 11-00 the organizers gave the first start to the children's race, and then after 10 minutes they started releasing at a distance groups formed by age. At 11-40, the race was launched, in which Gomel Sergey Yashin and other rowing veterans of the Moscow region took part. The spring sun melted snow (+ 10C) and the track resembled a continuous mess, the skis did not go, the relief was continuous hills, hence the result - 56min 47sec, but under such conditions you need to train yourself.

The result of winter 2009 is 6 marathons of 50 km in a couple of winter months, including 4 - rating races of the Russialoppet program, plus a half dozen intermediate starts from 10 to 30 km - not everyone can handle. And taking into account age - and even more so. Everything is fine, only a little disappointing that Belarusian skiers and rowing veterans are forced to race in the vastness of Russia, while the relief and weather conditions in Belarus are no worse. And many people from Russia, Ukraine, and other CIS republics, and maybe athletes from abroad, would come to participate in the marathon on Belarusian soil. But life goes on, everything changes, and maybe in the coming years, these dreams will come true?

That's how rowers train their will to win in winter, because strong-willed qualities in high achievement sports have always played an important role along with the rider’s physical preparation, that the master-class athletes understand this very well.

On May 10, 2009, the Moscow sports club Kanu-Kayak hospitably opened its doors to receive guests and metropolitan kayaking and canoeing masters. The traditional annual regatta officially opens a new rowing season, so representatives of Moscow, the Moscow Region, other regions of Russia and the rowing masters from the CIS come here to pretend to be in the level of autumn-winter training.

Despite the difficulties in financing trips for rowing veterans (because they pay all the costs themselves), the club still gathered a significant number of participants in the race. The bulk of those who announced the start were Muscovites, but there were strong representatives of Tver, Voronezh, Pushkino, Tuchkovo, Gomel, Bobruisk, Chisinau and other cities. It is noteworthy that some rowers came with families and friends who made up the company of active fans at a distance.

The race was a separate start after 1 minute at a distance of 3 km in a kayak or a single canoe in the waters of the Moscow River. The weather was favorable for the competition, and at exactly 12-00 the first participant was launched. By tradition, the younger age groups started the race, and the real veterans of rowing (group 65+) finished it. It is gratifying that this season the number of young groups has increased significantly and this has affected the competition.

It should be noted the high level of competitions and refereeing under the leadership of the head of the department of the Moscow State Pedagogical University Honored Coach of Russia A. N. Kurtev and the permanent organizer of these races, Associate Professor A.V. Tarasova, who headed the organizing committee of the competition and assembled a competent judging panel.

In the final protocol of technical results, which quickly appeared due to the use of computer technology right at the start, winners and prize-winners of age groups were identified. So the absolute winner of the race among all age groups was the master of sports from Gomel (Belarus) Sergey Yashin (14’25 ”) (group 45-49). The leader of the group 30-34 Pavel Kolesnikov was a little behind him, the third result was shown by the authoritative Russian driver from Pushkino Vladimir Markov (group 50-54).

Mikhail Ermolaev (Youth of Moscow) became the leader among canoeists, and Muscovite Kontorina Alexandra (NICE-ACG) among female canoeists.

After summing up, the awarding ceremony was held, at which the winners and prize-winners in their age groups were awarded cups, medals and diplomas. At the end, a round table was held where, in an informal setting, veterans recalled the past and shared plans for the future.

And on the last Saturday of May 2009 on the Moscow River in the area of ​​Serebryany Bor, a traditional 6 km kayak and single canoe marathon was held under the auspices of the Office for Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism of the North-Western Administrative District of the Russian capital.

The weather, inclement the day before, seemed to give a gift to the athletes - it was clear, warm, although a little windy. A feature of the race is that riders of a large age range take part in one race, and, as a rule, the first part of the distance the veterans have to go in the so-called “testing” of the group of leaders, which requires a certain skill and significantly complicates the use of the right technique and strength when rowing , because the steep waves from the professionals in front interfere with taxiing and maintaining balance during high-speed rowing.

According to the Regulation, at 11-00 the canoeists aged 18 years and older were the first to start, and it was in this mass start that veteran athletes took part. The results of the race were summed up by age groups with a graduation of 10 years. The leader of the race was Alexander Terekhov (26m15s) - the son of the famous Moscow marathoner Alexei Terekhov, he, accordingly, became the winner in the youngest group.

Muscovite Andrei Knyazev (26m29s) led the group 30-39, Moldavian Nikolai Solodovnikov won the group 40-49 (26m59s), master of sports Sergey Gashin (27m26s) became the champion in the next age group.

Then canoeists and women started, and completed the regatta races of boys and girls.

After summing up the results, the head of the UFKSiT of the North-West Administrative District Vladimir Molodozhenov congratulated the winners and prize-winners and presented them with medals and prizes.

Traditionally, on the first Sunday of June, on the Ucha River in the village of Mamontovka (near Pushkino), a race in memory of A. Stepanenko is held Here, in a small local rivulet, there are ideal conditions for training rowers, and it is no coincidence that the list of pupils of local trainers includes athletes of a very high class.

Not only local young rowers, but also master-class athletes from Moscow, the Moscow Region and other regions are going to test their strength alone from a separate start at a distance of 3 km. A warm friendly atmosphere and objective refereeing contributes to the high results of the final protocol for both the pupils of the local youth sports school and sports veterans. You could start at any time from 11-30 to 13-00 with a 1 minute handicap. After summing up, it turned out that the best time in the race was shown by Anton Gurba (pupil of the famous Russian master-class racer Vladimir Markov) with a result of 14m15s. The veteran final protocol was led by Igor Zarubin (14m42s), he also became the winner in the group of 40-45 years. The second time was with Sergei Yashin (Gomel) (15m05s), he became a leader in his age group. By the way, Anton Gurba and Sergey Yashin started twice and invariably showed the best of times.

After the race, awarding of winners and prize-winners took place, as well as the presentation of souvenirs to all participants in the competition.

September 5-6, 2009 in the Czech city of Racice, the World Championship among veteran rowers took place. The best representatives of 18 national rowing associations and clubs fought for medals. Belarus was represented by three centers of veteran rowing: from Gomel, Zhodino and Minsk. Gomel residents left as part of their years-old duet - masters of sports Sergei Yashin and Gennady Mezhennikov.

High-level international regattas are always distinguished by a special intensity of struggle and fierce competition in all classes of vessels and distances. Therefore, Gomel residents began to prepare for this start in advance. Along with the training process, a lot of time and money was given to applying for visas and accreditation, renting and preparing kayaks. The ice drift had not completely stopped yet, and our countrymen could already be seen on the water. Thousands of kilometers of high-speed work for endurance training were rolled with enviable persistence day after day. Since May, Gomel rowing veterans have repeatedly participated in the largest open Russian competitions, where they tested their strength and strengthened the rating. At all races, they won prizes, and at long distances they became winners. The main test of strength was the open Masters Championship of Russia, which took place in August of this year, from where all Gomel residents returned with medals.

On the first day, the weather seemed to decide to test the strength of the regatta's participants: the wind intensified to 10-12 m / s, it rained at times, it was extremely difficult to keep the boats in the launching devices. The competition program provided for a wide range of nominations in the 200m sprint. Not being leaders in single kayak races at such a short distance, our fellow countrymen decided to bet on command boats. And the correctness of their decisions was confirmed by the final race reports: Sergey Yashchin and Gennady Mezhennikov, together with two Russians in the K-4 mix nomination, became world champions. On this day, G. Mezhennikov, as part of a combined crew with two Russians and a Lithuanian, again rose to the highest step of the podium, and S. Yashin was awarded the “silver” in the four with Ukrainian rowers.

On the second day of the competition, athletes competed in all classes of ships at a long distance of 2 km. Traditionally, in this type of racing, our fellow countrymen felt more confident, and the weather improved significantly and did not prevent athletes from competing. In a bitter struggle in a lone kayak, S. Yashin became the bronze medalist of the Championship, and a couple of hours later, together with G. Mezhennikov after the kayak-two race, they were again awarded a medal ceremony and bronze awards.

For a long 7 years, Gomel residents went to the heights of the sports Olympus. There were awards of champions and prize-winners of open master-championships of Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova. But, of course, every athlete dreams of victories in transcontinental competitions of the highest rank. The key to high sports awards is willpower and focus on results, devotion to the chosen sport, and in command boats there is still great mutual understanding and psychological compatibility. Sergey Yashin and Gennady Mezhennikov, who glorified Belarusian rowing and our hometown Gomel, have all of this.

Unfortunately, the “golden” duet could not overpower the financial costs for participating in the World Veterans Games in October this year in Sydney, Australia, although the level of training confirmed by the World Championship in the Czech Republic allowed us to hope for the highest Olympic awards. Perhaps sponsors and sponsors of this sport will appear who can provide financial assistance in the trips of our oar masters to prestigious world-class races.

Gomel representatives of veteran rowing closed the 2009 season on September 20 at the Moscow Open Marathon Championship. This race, held at the end of the rowing season on the canal in Krylatskoye, has long become a traditional test of endurance and willpower of athletes: after all, scrolling 16 km (4 laps of 4 km) at a racing pace is not easy among fifty starting masters. Gomel residents could not ignore this race, because at the same time the first open championship of Moscow in the master class was held as part of the project - and this is already a rating start.

For veterans, the distance was complicated by the fact that in order to save time, the organizers decided to combine the veteran race with the start of existing athletes, which automatically made it difficult to go the distance, and especially the first straight line before the turn. Represented Belarus Gomel master of sports Sergey Yashin.

At 11-00 the start lineers lined up the entire width of the channel. A start was given - and the unique sight of the mass start of the rowing regatta made spectators and fans stand up from the stands. But in the mill, leaders began to show off the spray of oars, and everyone else followed. As expected, the head group was made up of young Moscow racers, Sergei Yashin approached the first corner on the 12th. However, marathon training and experience did their job - after half the distance Sergey was already 6th, and at the last corner he caught up with the leaders. The coordinated actions of the young capital rowers did not allow the Belarusian to win the race, but to call 3rd in the overall standings with a result of 1h 15m 23s and at the same time to become the absolute winner of all age-related master groups is just great!

The rowing season 2009 has ended, but to stop there is not the rules of the Gomel rowing veterans, especially since the status of leaders of the international level obliges us to a lot. In big sport you can accidentally lose, but you can accidentally win, especially marathon distances. - it's impossible. Titanic daily labor, huge amounts of work done in gyms, swimming pools and skiing - these are the keys to future victories on waterways.

The basis of training aerobic rowing athletes in the autumn-winter period is ski practice. After all, by and large - this is the same work of the heart, lungs, latissimus muscles, the development of endurance and willpower. Checking the readiness of the body are official competitions, where representatives of the Gomel cohort of oar masters took part.

The most significant start at the beginning of the season is the traditional Moscow Ski Track competition, which gathers tens of thousands of fans of this sport and hundreds of real masters from national ski teams. On February 7, 2010, Sergey Yashin also took part in the 42 km marathon held in Moscow on the track of the Planernaya sports center. The result is 2h 28 min and the 300th in the final protocol ..

The next strength test was the international marathon on February 13, 2010 in Dubna “Nikolov Perevoz” from the Russialoppet series. This race always brings any surprises - floods, severe frosts, etc. And now, the strong headwind has seriously complicated the movement of riders along the highway. Nevertheless, Sergey covered the distance of 50.3 km in 2 hours 58 minutes and took 170th place out of 415 athletes who started.

The next stage of a series of Russian marathons of 50 km took place on February 21, 2010 in Krasnogorsk, Moscow Region. The weather decided to test the strength of the race participants: on the eve a lot of snow fell - the ski track looked like a taiga clearing, and climbing was possible only with incredible efforts. However, more than 400 athletes still took the start and got involved in the fight. Of course, the veteran rower could not fight the “red group”. Yes, in fact, such a task was not posed. But to check his willpower and physical readiness - Sergey Yashin did it: in the final protocol, 127th out of 398 with a time of 3 hours 39 minutes.

The decoration of the Russialoppet is a 50 km ski marathon in the Moscow forest park in Bitza. Along with amateur skiers, professional racers also started here, so the organizers had previously limited the number of participants to 600 people. The excellent organization of the competition, the track with food points, a large number of fans and a slightly frosty sunny spring morning, of course, left a positive impression on all participants in the sports festival. Probably, the atmosphere of the race left its mark, because Sergey Yashin set his personal record that day, having run more than 50 km in 2 hours 48 minutes, and took 194 line in the results protocol. 2 48``35.

It is believed that the skier became a real marathoner only when he ran 60 km along the highway "Zavyalovskoy race of survival" in Romashkovo near Moscow. Following this tradition, a group of rowing veterans decided to test themselves at this famous distance. The track is replete with long, long, exhausting lifts, on which professional skiers also hang. On steep descents, the speed reaches 45 km / h, and in the end await treacherous sharp turns that have successfully overcome, alas, not all. But nevertheless, this time the Gomel rescued a good aerobic rowing training: with the time of 3 hours 36 minutes he took 88th place out of 223 riders who reached the finish line.

And the rowers finished the howl season with the classic 30 km race in the town of Peresvet, Sergiev Pasad district of the Moscow region. An excellent track that day did not please the riders with a gliding ski. And to demand this at a temperature of + 9C would be unfair. It is no accident that many were unable to reach the distance. Having only skating skis in his combat arsenal, Sergei Yashin nevertheless ventured to become the prototype of the Norwegian ski king and went to the start of the classic race. The first kilometers of the race downhill and on the plain, the Gomel resembled the local masters, but when the climbs began, the powerful muscles of the rowers gave way to the feet of the skiers tested in many kilometers of training, and the latter began to slowly but confidently go into the gap. As a result - the result of 2 hours 09 minutes and completely acidified muscles from unusual work in the classic move, and even on skate skiing.

But as they say. "Hard in learning - easy in battle." Without complaining about difficulties, the Gomel rowing veterans are preparing for the next rowing season-2010. Again, training, volumes, thousands of kilometers on the water - but without this, you won’t be able to become champions. In sports, both in business and in business, one can lose by chance, but one cannot accidentally reach the pinnacles of success.

The rowing veterans opened their next sporting season with a 3 km lonely race in Pushkino near Moscow on April 24, 2010. First starts, as a rule, are not indicative, because rowers have a relatively small amount of work done directly on the water after the autumn-winter preparatory period. Nevertheless, the race characterizes the potential physical fitness potential of athletes and their readiness for future starts. Extensive experience in marathon skiing has helped Gomel Sergey Yashin become the absolute winner in the master class races.

On May 8, 2010, the Moscow Kanu-Kayak Canoeing Club once again hosted the first start of the new season in a master class. Representatives of Moscow, Moscow Region, other regions of Russia, as well as rowing masters from the CIS, come to the traditional annual regatta to pretend to be the level of autumn-winter training.

Despite the difficulties in financing trips for rowing veterans (because they pay all the costs themselves), the club still gathered a significant number of participants in the race. The bulk of those who announced the start were Muscovites, but there were strong representatives of Tver, Voronezh, Pushkino, Tuchkovo, Gomel, Bobruisk, Chisinau and other cities. It is noteworthy that some rowers came with families and friends who made up the company of active fans.

The race was a separate start after 1 minute at a distance of 3 km in a kayak or a single canoe in the waters of the Moscow River. The weather was favorable for the competition, and at exactly 12-00 the first participant was launched. By tradition, the younger age groups started the race, and the real veterans of rowing (group 65+) finished it. It is gratifying that this season the number of young groups has increased significantly and this has affected the competition.

It should be noted the high level of competitions and refereeing under the leadership of the head of the department of the Moscow State Pedagogical University Honored Coach of Russia A. N. Kurtev and the permanent organizer of these races, Associate Professor A.V. Tarasova, who headed the organizing committee of the competition and assembled a competent judging panel.

In the final protocol of technical results, which quickly appeared due to the use of computer technology right at the start, winners and prize-winners of age groups were identified. So the absolute winner was the representative of the Tver club “Fan” MS Sergey Streltsov, and the master of sports from Gomel Sergey Yashin in his age group won silver, losing to MSMK Anatoly Shlepkov from Tver in a matter of seconds. After summing up, the awarding ceremony was held, at which the winners and prize-winners in their age groups were awarded cups, medals and diplomas. And at the end, a round table was held, where, in an informal setting, veterans remembered the past and shared plans for the future.

For the first time in Odessa on May 15-16, 2010, open competitions were held for the Black Sea Cup, in which Gomel rowing veterans took part. The final places were distributed by the sum of 2 distances of 200 and 2000 m, which the athletes passed in the form of mass starts with a break of 10 minutes. As a result, MS Gomel Gennady Mezhennikov was 4th in the sprint at 200 m alone and a bronze medalist at 2 km, and then Boris Parfyonov won silver twice at 200 and 2000 m in a double kayak. The warm hospitable atmosphere of the regatta produced unforgettable impressions, and Gomel residents expressed their wishes to continue to participate in these competitions in the next years.

On May 29, 2010, a traditional race was held to mark the opening of the summer season in Serebryany Bor (Moscow). The picturesque view of the water area of ​​the Moscow River did not leave indifferent among the many participants in the sports festival and fans. The regatta was held by the general start of athletes of all age groups. The distance of 7 km was a ring around the island. As a result of the competition, MS Andrey Knyazev (Moscow) became the absolute leader in the race, and MS Gomel Sergey Yashin in the stubborn struggle with eminent rivals won gold in his age category. After the race, many rowing veterans took part in competitions in other sports, which took place on the sports ground of beach No. 3 and supplemented the collection of their awards with medals of various denominations.

On June 6, 2010, Mamontovka, near Moscow, hospitably received participants in traditional competitions on the Ucha River. Representatives of Moscow and Moscow region took part in the Stepanenko-Markov memorial. A 3 km long circular path passed through the water of the shallow small small river Ucha, which somewhat complicated quality rowing. But the conditions were the same for everyone. The best among veteran athletes was MS Anthony Prodan (Moldova), and the Belarusian MS Sergey Yashin became the winner of his age group, showing the 2nd result of the day. After the finish - a traditional memorable photo, an exchange of phones and plans for the upcoming rowing season.

The XV memorial of Irina Sviridova, held on June 26-27, 2010 in Nizhny Novgorod, is one of the most important starts of the master class and always attracts a large number of participants from various parts of Russia and the CIS. Competitions were held in the cup system. Athletes chased only by themselves. The program included starts at 500 m, 1000 m and 2000 m. The best at a distance of 500 m was KMS Vitaly Pavlov from Kazan (1’46 ”). Sergey Streltsov (4’24 ”) won the race at 1000 m from Tver, and Andrei Gornostaev from Magnitogorsk (7’28”) became the leader in the 2 km race. The representative of the Gomel MS rowing school Sergey Yashin won two silver medals: in the race of 1000 and 2000 m.

At the base of a sports camp with. Merenesti (Bender, Moldova) On July 17-18, 2010 the III Transnistria Championship was held. In the competition program, races were planned for 500 and 2000 m in singles and deuces in 2 age groups of 35-49 years old and 50+ (over 50 years old). Traditionally, the bulk of the participants were Moldavian and Ukrainian rowers, but Belarusians do not ignore these starts. The performance of the Gomel veteran rowers can be called successful, because MC Gennady Mezhennikov in the single kayak was 2nd in the 2000m, CMS Boris Parfyonov was 2nd in the 500m, the duo Parfenov-Mezhennikov twice won the gold in the races Kayaks-deuces. In addition, having put 2 Moldavians in a kayak-four, the Gomel residents twice received bronze in the 500 and 2000 m races. The races of the traditional Transnistrian ear and stories of experienced athletes about interesting cases in their sports life ended.

For the first time since 2003, due to serious injuries, Gomel rowers did not take part in the Russian Masters Championship, which took place on August 7-8, 2010 in Pushkino, Moscow Region.

However, already on September 4, Sergey Yashin confidently won the Izmailovsky Wave (Moscow) in his age group, and then on September 25, the famous 15 km marathon in Krylatskoye, which attracts numerous rowing fans,

The 2010 sports season was completed on October 2 by rowers-veterans with a traditional 2 km race in single kayaks in Pushkino at the Serebryanka sports base. The distance was organized according to international requirements, i.e. taking into account the entertainment of the regatta: large circles were replaced by small ones, and the whole race took place in front of the stands, A large number of turns aggravated the wrestling.In spite of the significant cooling, the race was exciting in terms of competition and the intensity of the struggle. In his age group Gomel Sergey Yashin finished with a clear advantage and was awarded the “gold” and a commemorative prize.

After the abnormally hot summer of 2010, everyone eagerly awaited the winter to ski. She lived up to expectations - there was more snow than ever, and the temperature regime contributed to the training process and participation in races. As a rule, only master of sports Sergey Yashin takes part in races in Russia, the rest are content with local and departmental starts.

In 2011, Gomel rowing veterans began their ski season with the GOELRO night race at the 20 km free style, held at the Romantic base on the Istra Reservoir. It is clear that extreme turns over steep mountains in the dark are the lot of the strong not only in body but also in spirit, so few decided to test themselves on the track. Nevertheless, Gomel resident Sergey Yashin covered the distance in 1h16m35s, leaving behind a good half of the riders.

As a rule, the most massive starts begin with the traditional Moscow ski track, collecting tens of thousands of amateur skiers. The program of the holiday and children's races. And mass starts at 10 km, but the 42 km marathon, which attracts more than 1,200 athletes every year, attracts the most attention. The weather conditions were somewhat complicated by fresh snow, but this did not stop Sergey from covering the distance in 2h26m35s and, thus, the 337th out of 980 finishing skiers came. Compared with last year, he climbed up the protocol by almost 100 seats.

The next marathon, where the Gomel residents noted, was a marathon under the Russialoppet program called Nikolov Perevoz. This year, due to the thaw on the river, the race was held on a specially prepared track in Dubna. fresh snow that fell on the eve literally overwhelmed all the efforts of the organizers to prepare the track and the skiers made their way. Sergei, who had prepared on the eve of the ski, in a hurry mixed up the covers and had to race “on a bare base”. 46.5 km were given to him for 3h08m08s, which corresponded to mark 208 in the protocol of 368 who finished the race.

And the very next day, the veteran took part in the 10km sprint in Skhodnya (Moscow region). The rower completed the mass start in a free style with a result of 29m57s, which is excellent speed with fresh snow!

On February 20, 2011, snow also fell in Krasnogorsk, but this was not scared for the lovers of cross-country skiing honored at a traditional marathon. The Krasnogorsk route meets all international requirements for marathon distances and is included in the Russialoppet racing category. S. Yashin also took part in the mass start and finished with a result of 3h18m10s, which allowed him to take the 20th place out of 50 who started in his age group.

In honor of the defender of the Fatherland in Troitsk, skiers started their free style in the 20 km race, Sergey ran the distance in 1h10m23s, leaving half of the participants behind. It should be noted the warm, friendly atmosphere prevailing at the races, the care of the organizers and, of course, the great taste of army buckwheat with stew, which was distributed by fighters directly from the field kitchen.

On February 27, a race for 10 km was held at Skhodnaya under the MOLLG program. Once again, having checked his strength and how the skis glide, Sergey finished in the group of leaders for 31m57s.

On the March holidays, rowing veterans marked where possible. So on March 6 at Skhodnaya there was a 10km classic style race. The rowers also decided to take part in it, but, having no classic skis, they ran on skates. And I must say everyone was surprised - Sergey (the best of the chasing rowers) ran the distance for 35m56s, almost getting into the top three skiers-winners.

On March 7, the Water World (slalom) organization held open competitions in cross-country skiing with a 10 km skate. Rowers, like colleagues in the oar, decided to support the initiative and increase competition. Recall that last year S. Yashin won the race in his age group. This year he was the best of the rowers and the 2nd in the group 50-59, spending a distance of 33m45s on fresh snow.

And the March holidays were completed by rowers participating on March 8 in the international Bitsevsky marathon. Not without a curiosity. In the morning there were frosts to -12C, and the athletes prepared the skis for cold weather. But by the time of launch at 12-00 the sun had warmed up the air to + 5C, and the glide sharply worsened. Recalling that they did not change the horses at the crossing, the rowers took the start on the “phishers” prepared for the cold. S. Yashin completed the race 3h17m10s. However, the task to show off speed was not set here - the Bitsa track has no flat sections, and steep descents are replaced by 500-800m draft bars. Given the melting snow, the race turned into a real test, which not all completed.

On March 12, veteran rowers again noted at Skhodnya, taking part in the 10km sprint. On freshly fallen snow, Sergey ran a distance of 33m31s, being in the group of leaders.

On March 20, at a positive temperature, the guys ran 22.5 km with the classic style in skating at the championship of the city of Peresvet. The result is 1h17m04s, but the impression of the race is excellent: a well-prepared track, the attention of the organizers, the warm welcome of nonresident racers.

And the Gomel residents completed the ski season on March 26 with the traditional “Rosavtobank” marathon of 50 km. S. Yashin ran it for 3h03m14s, showing the best result of the current season.

It should be noted that this is not the first ski season that Sergey’s closest ally in the masterclass races Gomel MS in kayaking Gennady Mezhennikov, who performs well in the Gomel region as part of departmental sports competitions, is improving his skiing technique for some time and may soon be noted in protocols of large Russian and international ski races.

Gomel rowing veterans began the 2011 season on April 24 with a traditional race alone on the Moscow River near the Burevestnik base for the prizes of Volodar Zvezdkin. A spring cold wind drove a side wave, the water still kept the cold of the melted ice, so the most desperate went to the start. The distance was a closed ring of 2 km with a total start of men 18 years and older. The starting area was won by young racers, but by 700 meters ahead of the turn ahead, Sergey Yashin came out, who, building on his advantage, finished first.

On May 7, at competitions dedicated to the opening of the 2011 season at the Serebryanka rowing base in Pushkino, rowing veterans started at a distance of 2 km from the general start. The start was won by Muscovite Andrei Kulagin, but after 300 m the leader was Gomel S. Yashin, who finished alone by a large margin, for which he was awarded a special cup.

On May 8, 2011, veteran athletes from Moscow and the Moscow Region, Tver, Lipetsk, Belarus, Ukraine, and Moldova gathered at the capital's Canu-Kayak Rowing Club in Tushino to participate in a traditional race dedicated to Victory Day. Weather more than ever favored the competition: heat, sun and a gentle breeze. At 12-00 the first handicap participant started alone at a 3 km ring distance along the Moscow River, and at 14-00 the first results were already summed up. As expected, the best time of the day was shown by the driver of Tver MS Streltsov, the second - Gomel MS S. Yashin, who was the leader of his age group. At the festive building, medalists and diplomas were awarded to age group winners, and special commemorative cups were awarded to the winners.

The traditional race in memory of Stepanenko was held on June 5 in the village of Mamontovka on the Ucha River. The river is famous for its shallow water and narrow fairway, which is why unique impressions remain from the distance. Despite the strong gusty wind, the water area allowed a separate start of athletes alone on a circular distance of 3 km with a turn. After summing up, the leader of the day and his age group was Gomel Sergey Yashin, who was far ahead of the rest of the participants. After the race, a parade was held with the presentation of prizes and heated discussions on the development of veteran sports in Russia, the CIS countries and far abroad.

On June 18, at the Serebryanka sports base, a memorial was held in honor of the famous rowing veterans, including the local racer Vladimir Markov. In a combined race of 2 km, Sergey Yashin finished for the ZMS by Anatoly Sharykin and was thus awarded a silver medal.

On August 6-7, 2011, in Pushkino, Moscow Region, the traditional Russian Kayak and Canoe Championship was held among rowing veterans. To the great joy of the organizers and the surprise of the participants, the ranks of the riders were replenished with new names, and in each age group, which seriously aggravated the already fierce competition. In order to be able to race in the final, it was necessary to pass a sieve of qualifying and semi-final races. In addition, the traditional program was first replenished with a spectacular race with a mass start of 1.5 km in doubles, the entire sprint program and a long distance in doubles fell on the 1st day, which required a special coordination and efficiency from the judging panel led by Yuri Rodionovs in work. From Gomel rowers of the master class, only MS Sergey Yashin participated in the competitions, the rest, for family and financial reasons, could not compete with the Russian riders.

After summing up the finals for all types of programs, the Gomel resident put in his piggy bank “silver” for 200 m and 1.5 km with the tested team-mate from Magnitogorsk Vladimir Shemetov, as well as “bronze” alone on the 2nd day of the competition at a distance of 1.5 km .

Of particular note are the performances of athletes from Tver Sergey Streltsov and Nikolai Vasiliev at 200 m, the duo Streltsov-Pavlov (Kazan) at 1.5 km, as well as the spectacular race of singles at 1.5 km in the group of 45-49 years, where aerobatics Moldavian Nikolai Solodovnikov.

On August 27-28, 2011 in the Hungarian city of Szeged the Masters World Championship in kayaking and canoeing was held. The entire rowing community was waiting for this event, because they had to chase along the still water from the races of the World Championship among professionals. Hungary has long been considered one of the countries where kayaking and canoeing is a national sport, and it is not by chance that the Hungarian national team is always among the leaders of the participating teams. That is why the Hungarian national team was the most massive in the number of participants in the Masters Championship. To match the organizers of the competition, the Spaniards equipped their strongest rowers of the world level. Germans, Poles, Lithuanians, even Americans and Canadians came, but the CIS representatives did not disappoint either - the strongest rowers from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova participated in almost every race, and Russian speech dominated the dialogues between the athletes along with the international language of communication - English.

Gomel region was represented at the MS sports forum by Sergey Yashin and MS Gennady Mezhennikov, who already had behind them successful experience in international racing. Despite fierce competition Gomel managed to achieve significant results and climb the pedestal for awarding. So Gennady Mezhennikov collected three “silver”: in the doubles-doubles 200m race with Moldovan Anthony SOLD, and complementing the duo with Lithuanian and American, in the fours-mix races 200 and 2000m. Sergey Yashin became the champion in kayak-fours-mix races (apart from him, the team includes a Ukrainian with a Ukrainian and a Russian woman) at 200 and 2000 meters. In addition, Sergey won gold in the 2000s doubles mix with the Russian Tatyana Petrova, and with her 200m he finished second.

Immediately after the World Masters Championship, the athletes moved to Italy, where they held a training camp to prepare for the European Masters Games (EMG-2011).

Here, unlike Hungary, the CIS countries dominated, and it should be noted that in this composition the rowers of the former USSR gathered, perhaps, for the first time. Hence - fierce competition immediately from the qualifying races. It must be said that the water area of ​​the races was significantly different from the usual specially equipped rowing canal: instead of the usual stagnant water, athletes were invited to race along the river with a strong current, which led to unequal racing conditions as a result of the draw of water. Often, the strongest dropped out of the selection, and the weaker ones fell into the next round of competitions. Nevertheless, regardless of the number of water in the race, the strongest always wins, as the finalists of the European Championship demonstrated.

Gomel residents were lucky in command boats: Gennady Mezhennikov was the second four kayak: in the 200m race (G. Mezhennikov + A. Prodan + N. Solodovnikov + S. Boreyko), as well as 1000m ((G. Mezhennikov + S. Boreyko + I. Lychev + I. Kozlov.) Sergey Yashin, along with colleagues in the oar from Dnepropetrovsk A. Agoshkov, B. Danilov and V. Protsik, having done a lot of work in rolling the fours, in the most competitive races of the competitions were third in 200 and 1000m In addition, arriving fourth in the 1000m, S. Yashin and A. Agoshkov took revenge in the double kayak in the 18k marathon m, where they finished second behind the famous Czech rowers. It is gratifying that young veterans Alexander Ermakov and Vyacheslav Shunto, who won the bronze in the four on the 200m spint with Minskers Alexei Astapkovich and Dmitry Peslyak, received their first military awards at international competitions also in the kayak two were third in the 18km marathon.

On September 25, on the rowing canal in Krylatskoye, the traditional open masters championship of Moscow in the 15 km marathon in kayaks took place. To aggravate wrestling, all age groups started in the combined race and the starting line of the participants filled the entire width of the main channel of the channel. The weather no longer pampered: light rain drizzled in the morning, a small wind created a wave, but the athletes were completely captured by the race and did not pay attention to uncomfortable conditions. MS Sergey Yashin took part in the race. From the start forward, a small group of four rowers managed to escape, among which was a Gomel resident. Already at the end of the first three-kilometer circle, Sergey was second and held this position until the end of the race, losing to the young MS from the local Petrel Vyacheslav Karapchuk a few seconds. The main group lagged behind and finished with a solid ganlicap.

The 2011 season was closed in Pushkino near Moscow by a 3 km ring race alone. This time it was seriously storming, it was raining, because of which the start of the race was postponed a little. The conditions for all participants were difficult but equal. In order to increase competition, a joint race was formed. As a result of the race, the first to finish were Pavel Kolesnikov (Moscow), the second Sergey.Yashin (Gomel), the third - Alexander Stepnov (Moscow). At the award, the athletes summed up the results of the past season and outlined plans for the future.

The basis of successful performances of rowing veterans in the season is painstaking and voluminous work on the physical fitness area. Skiing, swimming pool, gym classes give the state of the body that corresponds to the required level of high-class athletes. The rowers of the master class are not an exception to the rule, on the contrary, they understandly build their classes and control starts in the autumn-winter period.

As a rule, cross-country skiing is a test of maturity, strength and will, and first of all, marathons. Indeed, it is here, in the conditions of fierce competition with the strongest professional athletes from the national teams of various countries, the fighting spirit of future winners and prize-winners of rowing regattas is brought up.

The following is a series of ski starts, in which MS Gomel resident Sergey Yashin took part. 02.02.2012 the Moscow ski track mass start at 40 km, the result is 2h30min, 234th place out of 671 started. 02/11/2012 - one of the stages of Russialoppet - Dubna, 50km, 2h46min, 144th place out of 600 participants, 03/10/2012 - Zavyalov race for survival, 60 km, 3h48min, 03/25/2012 - "Spring ski festival" Rosavtobank, 50km, 3h00min. In addition, it took part in a number of races for 10-30 km, where, in addition to endurance, power, speed qualities and coordination were trained, since on individual slopes the speed exceeded 50 km / h. I would like to hope that such volumes of training will leave a positive mark in the athlete's OFP and will help him at the starts of rowing regattas.

This year, the number of ski trainings has grown into quality with Sergey's paddle colleague Gennady Mezhennikov, who took the honorable 3rd place in departmental ski races with professional athletes.

Gomel kayaking veterans opened the 2012 Olympic season on May 13 at competitions dedicated to the beginning of the 2012 rowing season in Pushkino, Moscow Region. In the combined race of rowers over 18 years of age at a distance of K-1 3 km, Sergey Yashin was the first to finish, showing the best result of the day.

And on May 12, our other compatriots distinguished themselves at the Black Sea Cup international competitions in Odessa: Gennady Mezhennikov took silver in a single kayak at a distance of 2 km, Alexander Kotlyar with a Ukrainian teammate was also the second in a double-200 kayak race m, and Arkady Plechnin was awarded the “bronze” for his performance in the quadrilateral (swimming 150m + rowing 500m + bike 2.5km + running 500m).

The annual mass start on the Moscow River in the area of ​​Serebryany Bor is one of the most spectacular events at the environmental and sports festival, traditionally held on the last Saturday of May by the administration of the North-Western Administrative District of Moscow. The most competitive was the lone kayak race in the 5km ring race among rowers 18 years and older, in which both active young athletes and master class rowers, including guests of the Russian capital, took part. In the overall standings, Gomel S. Yashin came third to finish, finishing with a decent handicap compared to the rest of the race. On June 3, during the 3rd stage of the World Cup rowing rowing canal in Krylatskoye, Mamontovka, Moscow Region, traditionally hospitably received participants in competitions in memory of Stepanenko. Young rowers and veterans competed alone at a distance of 3 km. Athletes left the start with an interval of 30 seconds, which made the race even more spectacular. According to the final protocol, the best time in a single kayak race was shown by MS Sergey Yashin, one of the leaders of rowing veterans of the CIS countries specializing in medium and long distances.

Unfortunately, a sports injury received by Sergei in the middle of the 2012 rowing season did not allow him to take part in a number of international regattas held in the summer in the CIS and abroad, but we hope that after rehabilitation the Gomel rowing veterans will again please the fellow countrymen success in major international competitions.

September 1-2, 2012 near Berlin, in the German city of Brandenburg, the next World Championship was held in a master class in kayaking and canoeing. Gomel rowing veterans also took part in it and, despite serious competition, were not left without awards.

MC Gennady Mezhennikov in the international crew (Anthony Prodan (Moscow), Igor Lychev (S.Peterburg), Sigidas Bulovas (Lithuania) won the four-place race at 2000 m and were second at 200 m. In addition, Gennady became the silver medalist in the race K-4 mix at 200 m (Mezhennikov, Bulovas, Golovina, Chekhova) and won the “bronze” in the two with Angela Golovina (Russia) at a distance of 200 m and 2000 m, and the young comrades in the oar Gomel Alexander Yermakov and Vyacheslav Shunto became bronze winners in the 2000 kayak double.

September 15-16, rowing veterans again gathered the hospitable Dnepropetrovsk to the next international regatta. It should be noted that in terms of competition, the intensity of the struggle, the number of sets of awards and the level of organization of competitions, this race has no equal in the CIS. So it was at these races - the best athletes of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Transnistria gathered to measure their strength at the end of the season, and the program, as always, provided ample opportunities for sprinters and marathon runners. I would especially like to note the most spectacular types of the program - the 4x200 m relay race and the 200-meter four-piece kayak. In addition, long-distance mass starts, where dozens of simultaneously starting rowers simultaneously created an indescribable dynamic picture of the water extravaganza, received special attention of the fans. It is impossible not to note the high level of refereeing and the favorable atmosphere created by the organizers of the regatta, the founders of the veteran rowing club in Dnepropetrovsk, Alexander Agoshkov and Andrei Astashev, who for many years have been devoting much effort and money to the development of rowing not only in the region, but also for it the limits. By the way, the medal kits presented in Dnepropetrovsk completely overshadowed the samples of awards ever brought by rowing veterans from world and European championships.

Gomel rowers were represented by masters of sports Sergei Yashin and Gennady Mezhennikov, as well as CCM Arkady Plechnin. As a result, Gennady became the silver medalist in the double kayak with St. Petersburg Igor Lychov at 5000 meters, and Arkady with the Ukrainian Vladimir Martynenko was second in the 200 m sprint.

Sergey Yashin, who began rehabilitation after serious summer injuries, became a bronze medal three times: alone at a distance of 5 km, in a deuce with Alexander Agoshkov at 200 m and 5 km, and also twice climbed the “silver” to the podium as a member of the team (Danilov , Protsik, Agoshkov, Yashin) - in the K-1 relay race 4x200 m and the four-person kayak at 200 m.

September 23, not only Muscovites, but also their competitors from other regions gathered for a traditional marathon with a mass start in Krylatsky. As a result of a stubborn struggle at the 15 km race (three laps in the water of the rowing canal), Sergey Yashin confirmed his high level of a marathon rider and finished first with a wide margin from his rivals.

For the first time in history this year, Gomel residents took part in the ICF marathon Rusanovo Ring, held in Kiev under the auspices of the Ukrainian Rowing Federation. The strongest marathoners gathered to measure strength at a distance of 10 km in kayaks and on the "Dragons-12". In the final protocol, after an exhausting race in K-1 for 10 km MS, Sergey Yashin first became the winner of his age group in the lone kayak race, and after 2 hours he finished the bronze medalist of the Golden Dragon regatta in the 5 km race as part of the international rowing crew -veterans from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, which made a serious competition to the young rowers specializing in rowing on Dragon boats.

The rowing season 2012 was completed by veteran rowers in Pushkino, Moscow Region, on October 6 in the 1.5 km single-kayak race with a mass start, where Sergey Yashin was the leader in his age group.

The rowing season of 2013 began in Moscow Tushino with the traditional May 3 km single race dedicated to Victory Day .. The Moscow authorities paid special attention to the veteran starts this time and turned the competition into a real celebration - with music, field cuisine, greetings from invited rowing stars sports. In the final protocol Gomel Sergey Yashin showed the 2nd time of the day in the overall standings, winning the “gold” in his group. Given that the current season is marked by large international competitions, the rowers decided not to exchange for various low-ranking races and focused on preparing for the main start of the season.

From August 1 to August 11, 2013, the Italian Turin hospitably opened its doors for participants in the World Masters Games. For the first time in history, these international competitions were held on the European continent and gathered a record number of athletes in all sports. In addition to the wide representation of athletes from European countries, athletes from America and Australia took part in the Games, which significantly increased competition for the medal pedestal.

The World Masters Games are the prototype of the Olympic Games. They are regularly held once every 4 years, usually in Australia or Canada, but this time the organizers decided to hold a WMG in Europe, which caused the joy of many athletes and their fans, because it is easier to get to Italy by car than crossing the oceans by plane. Athletes competed in 30 forks of sport. Gomel was represented by Alexander Ermakov and Sergey Yashin in rowing and canoeing. It should be noted that for the first time, the organizers allowed athletes to compete in 11 disciplines, instead of the previously planned 5, which immediately intensified the competition - because the leaders chased not only traditional singles and deuces, but fours and mixes. In some disciplines, about 60 people fought for the podium, even the national championships of many countries leading rowing sports would envy such competition. The race course is located on Lake Kandy - a picturesque corner of the reserve, where the center of rowing sports of this region is located.

The first day of the race - the 200m sprint did not bring Gomel good luck, and all the forces were devoted to racing over longer distances, where Belarusians traditionally perform better.

The second day of racing - 1000 m, a difficult distance even for professionals, because in addition to willpower, it is necessary to prepare the body for endurance work, and this is achieved only by large volumes of training. As expected on this day, fate was more favorable to our fellow countrymen, and at first Sergey Yashin in the two with the Australian Darren Lee got the first “bronze”, and then Alexander Ermakov won the “silver” in a kayak four.

The third day - kayaking mix. High hopes were pinned on this type of program, and they came true. In the morning, master of sports Sergey Yashin won his first “gold” at a distance of 200 m in a four-mix with Lithuanian rowing masters (Aida Velemene, Alexandra Chekhov, Sigitas Bulovas), and the second “bronze” in a two-mix with Russian Angela Golovina, It should be noted that it was extremely difficult to get into the final in the conditions of the existing competition, because the world, European and Olympic Games champions returned to the master class, those whose names were recently listed on the first lines of the list of national teams in many countries. In addition, our guys did not have time to get used to the weather, and competing in the heat of 42C is not an easy task. In the afternoon, the athletes competed at a distance of 1000 m, it was on it that Sergey Yashin, in the four-mix with Lithuanian colleagues in the oar, became the champion of the World Masters Games for the second time, finishing by a significant margin from the rest of the race participants.

On August 9, a marathon race began on the river flowing through the center of Turin. Specially for these competitions world champions in this category came - athletes from Spain. In individual races in the start lists, the number of applicants exceeded 30 people. It was especially difficult for canoeists and women, because on a river with concrete banks, the reflected waves turned the water surface into a raging element. Not everyone was destined to overcome it, many turned over, others left the race. Sergey Yashin finished his 10th lone kayak in his race.

On August 10, athletes competed in twos. The crew already familiar to us Darren Lee (Australia) - Sergey Yashin (Belarus) also showed up. In a bitter struggle in the marathon for 15 km to the last meters of the distance there was a fierce battle between the international crew and the Italian two for second and third places. And only at the last meters of the distance in a desperate spurt did our fellow countryman get the “silver”.

Athletes express gratitude to the rowing base team (E. Gavrilenko) and the RBM trainers for their help in organizing the training process, as well as to the regional sports dispensary team and personally to the doctor Elena Chirkova for their assistance in the treatment and rehabilitation during the preparatory period.

WMG-2013 is over, but the dawn of new international regattas is already surging in the horizon of a sports Olympus. In 2015, the next European Masters Games will be held in Nice (France).

On October 4-6, 2013 in Kiev at the Fregat sports base in the picturesque area of ​​the Hydropark embankment, an international regatta in kayaking and canoeing was held, as well as Dragon boat races with the participation of athletes from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Great Britain and Ireland. Once, once in the ICF calendar, competitions have become traditional and annually bring together hundreds of participants from different parts of the CIS and abroad.

On the first day of the competition on October 5, kayakers and canoes competed in the marathon distance of 10 km alone. Cold and winds were replaced by favorable weather, which contributed to the races, which were attended by both young athletes and rowers of the master class. As a result of fierce competition, “silver” went to master of sports Gomel Sergei Yashin, who has extensive experience performing at international competitions. Fortune did not pass by the debutant of such regattas to the Gomel resident Victoria Bobra, who returned to sports only this summer - she became the winner of her age group.

It is noteworthy that after the starts in their marathon discipline, rowing veterans decided to measure strength with other rivals and in team races on the D-10 dragonboats, forming the CIS team from the strongest representatives of Moscow, St. Petersburg, Voronezh, Lipetsk and Gomel. In the hardest 5 km race, they rowed nose to nose along with the national teams of the best club teams and at the last meters of the race in desperate spurt they came to the finish line second. After a couple of hours, the same crew in the sprint race at 350 m confirmed their skills, also taking second place. Thus, Gomel residents Sergei Yashin and the debutant of the Rusanovsky Ring Arkady Plechnin, who were sitting in the boat of the CIS national team, after two distances became silver medalists at the prestigious international regatta.

On October 6, competitions continued in double kayaks. Belarus was represented by the Gomel duet Sergei Yashin and Arkady Plechnin. The guys this season specifically focused on preparing for the marathon, having gone hundreds of kilometers in various weather conditions during training. The quantity turned into quality - our fellow countrymen were not equal throughout the entire distance. After the first kilometer of the race, they became the leaders of the race and, despite the efforts of rivals who had been riding the wave for a long time, in the most powerful long-term spurt broke away from their pursuers and finished by a wide margin by absolute mass start champions of all age categories. In the women's marathon, the combined crew consisting of Victoria Braob (Gomel) and Tatyana Petrova (Moscow) excelled in their race.

Athletes express their gratitude to Gomel coaches Nikolay Zmityur, Alexander Kotlyar and Alexander Stanibula for valuable advice during the training process and help in equipping racing equipment. Season 2013 has successfully closed. But there is still a lot to be done so that the rating of Gomel rowers becomes even higher, and we rejoiced at the new victories of our countrymen!

On May 17, the international rowing marathon for 35 km was held in the Latvian city of Strenchi, in which athletes from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia and Belarus took part. The race was one of the main entertainment events of the traditional international professional festival of forest rafters, which brought together representatives from 11 European countries.

It should be noted the warm and friendly atmosphere that reigned throughout the small Latvian town. All guests of the holiday were surrounded by cordiality and attention of the host. The organizers of the marathon tried to pay attention to each participant in the competition and timely solve the emerging organizational and technical problems. Given that, due to the specifics of the route, the launch site was 30 km from the base camp, the organizers helped the athletes with the delivery of equipment.

As if feeling the organizers' desire to leave good impressions in the memory of the participants, the day turned out to be sunny and warm, so the riders did not need prepared warm clothes, and some were outfitted in a completely summer-like manner. After an introductory briefing on the features of the water area at 10-00 a start was made, and the athletes rushed to the distance.

In this international marathon, Belarus was represented by Gomel residents Sergey Yashin and Victoria Bobra, already familiar to their compatriots by their successes in the master class.

Representatives of Russia and Lithuania left right from the start, but after a few minutes Sergey Yashin caught up with them, beat him and was the leader throughout the race. Not everyone managed to stay with him “on the wave”, and after a couple of kilometers the Gomel resident already had a solid handicap in front of the main group of athletes. The main competitor, as expected, remained the master of sports from Klaipeda Sigitas Bulovas, with whom in the four-mix Sergey in 2013 twice became the Olympic champion in Italian Turin.

The Lithuanian, being a strong sprinter, over the distance race and rowing for a good result in time preferred the tactics of maintaining strength for the finish spurt and drove all 35 km “in the wave” with the leader. Sergey, on the contrary, on the eve of the European Championship in marathon decided to test his strength and consciously kept a high distance move throughout the distance, helping the Lithuanian “passenger” to reach the final destination. However, there are no miracles in the world, and as soon as Sigitas jumped out due to the last turn, he saw a few hundred meters of spectators and fans, collecting all the remaining forces, he made a spurt and the first crossed the finish line, reminding everyone that the quality of the medals depends it is from the climax of the race. Sergey finished second, leaving far behind the third medalist - St. Petersburg master of sports Igor Lychev. It should be noted that during the race Sergey in a single kayak finished 2 minutes earlier than the Latvian crew of a double kayak. According to the athlete himself, he solved the tasks set for himself at the marathon, having shown a high level of preparation for the responsible starts of the 2014 season, and he remembered the Lithuanian “lessons” and hopes that in the next starts he will implement a different tactics for covering the distance.

One cannot fail to note with kind words Victoria Gobel, who, in the most difficult conditions of a strong current, whirlpools and a winding river, managed to concentrate and defeat the eminent Lithuanian Aida Vilimien, who predicted an unconditional victory. Aida did not manage to balance in difficult conditions of the track and was not able to effectively invest the available physical fitness potential in strokes. For the first time in her life, Victoria ventured to start such a long and complicated race, but contrary to all the proverbs, the first pancake was not lumpy, and the 13th starting number was successful. Victoria thanks the coaches Alexander Stanibul and Gennady Nikitkov for valuable advice on rowing techniques and assistance in organizing the training process.

After the finish, the athletes fell into the caring hands of the organizers, who offered a photo shoot and a chic table, the main culmination of which was a signature hodgepodge that was perfectly cooked over an open fire. Based on the starting numbers, a lottery of valuable prizes was held. Commemorative medals were awarded to all the finishers, and winners were honored in the evening on a large concert stage during the festive event. A pleasant surprise was that most of the speakers from 11 European countries spoke Russian as an international language of communication, which emphasized the nature of cooperation and solidarity of different peoples of Europe. The celebration ended with a spectacular spectacle, during which late in the evening amusing structures made of boards and straw were set on rafts in front of the observation deck.

On June 11-12, the European Championship in rowing and canoeing was held in the Slovak city of Piestany. Athletes from 26 countries disputed the right to climb the podium. In the “Masters” segment, Gomel residents Sergey Yashin and Victoria Bobra took part in the races.

The competitions were held in a wonderful picturesque place in the park zone of the city, where the organizers, the water area, and the weather tried to surround the athletes with their warmth. The world-famous companies Nelo, Elio, Vaida, Roman, Zastera have deployed stalls for the sale of related sports equipment and offered sports equipment rental services. Given the location of Slovakia, representatives of almost all countries of continental Europe, England and Australia came to the race.

The weather on the day of the marathon seemed to reflect the intensity of the competition for medals - the thermometer rose above 35 degrees. Particular piquancy to the races was given by the participation in them of recognized masters of marathons - Spaniards, known not only for the high level of special training, but also for well-coordinated team tactics of conducting the race. It was they who ultimately took first place in the overall team medal standings.

The "stars" of the Spanish rowing Albadalejo Lucas and Lopez Villalobos Juan Carlos, who, using team tactics, did not give the others a chance to fight for the victory, started in Sergey’s race. In addition, it is worth mentioning separately the highest art of the Spanish rowers during landing, landing and running with a boat during dashes. Nevertheless, the Gomel resident pursued the Spanish tandem all 20 km, reached the finish line third and was awarded the bronze medal of the European Championship.

In the double-kayak race Sergey started in the younger age group with his Australian partner Darren Lee, with whom the Olympic “silver” of Turin smiled at him last year. However, in this race, crowning the start list of the regatta, the competition was the highest in this Championship. Despite a desperate struggle at a distance at the top of the final protocol, there were two Spanish deuces, Belgians, Danes, and only on the fifth line is the familiar abbreviation “BLR” visible. But as they say: “Without defeat - there is no victory!”, The athletes received invaluable experience in the race of the international marathon, made certain conclusions for themselves, outlined new steps in preparing for new starts.

Victoria with her debut in a marathon of such a high level confirmed the well-known proverb: "Beginners are lucky." After a 2.5-hour fight at sultry noon with eminent athletes from the Czech Republic (Vernerova Barbora) and Spain (Arroyo Blanca), she successfully completed the third race to the delight of athletes and fans from the CIS present in the stands.

After the races, the athletes discussed the starts and plans for the future, shared their impressions and took pictures for memory. As one would expect, nationality and citizenship in big sports does not play a big role, and there is always a way to conduct a dialogue with a representative of another country, and only friends with a camera or smartphone are required to take photographs on a pedestal for awarding and in an international party.

On June 28-29, 2014, in the Estonian town of Otepää, in the park area of ​​Lake Pukhajärve, a traditional international regatta was held with the participation of athletes of the national team, as well as rowers from various cities of Estonia, Russia and Belarus. 135 athletes took part in a 5 km mass start in a picturesque corner of the Baltic states. Belarus was represented by Gomel master-class rowers Sergey Yashin and Victoria Bobra.

As if understanding the responsibility for holding such a large-scale competition, the weather on the race day changed dramatically - the rain stopped pouring, the wind died down, the sun came out. A fine day brought joy not only to athletes, but also to many fans who are located on the beach of a beautiful hotel. The music and vanity subsided by 16-00, and all the participants went to the start, filling the starting space with boats. It should be noted that in order to transfer traditions, increase competition and entertainment in accordance with the Regulation, experienced rowing masters and the younger generation at the same time accepted the start at this regatta. A special highlight of the event is that the start was given simultaneously for all classes of vessels: male and female, canoe and kayak, singles, deuces and fours. The motion picture was so spectacular that the mass start video breaks all the records of views on Youtube.

Sergey raced in a kayak-two with the St. Petersburg master of sports Igor Lychev, with whom he is closely connected not only by long-standing friendship, but also by a number of joint performances in command boats at major international regattas.

Having successfully chosen a starting position, the Belarusian-Russian tandem outperformed its competitors already at half the distance and, gaining an advantage, came to the finish line first in its class of vessels, for which he was awarded gold awards of international competitions.

Victoria went to the start in a lone kayak surrounded by rivals who participated in this regatta more than once. Despite the difficult conditions of the starting zone and the obstacles of numerous athletes, she managed to get to her working mode, and having successfully overcome all the force majeure that happened at a distance, she finished by taking second place in the final protocol and was awarded a silver medal.

It should be noted the excellent organization of such large-scale competitions at the national level, a special warm attitude to foreign participants, the development of youth sports and the formation of a reserve for the national team.

The finals of the regatta were races on ships of the Dragon-10 class at 200 m, in which club teams from various Estonian cities took part. These competitions were held for the first time, but in terms of the intensity of the struggle they were not inferior to the already held mass start. Sergey and Igor also took part in the competition as a part of the Pirita Tallinn club team, eventually becoming silver sprint winners.

September 15-17, 2014 in Pushkino, Moscow Region, the next open Russian Championship in kayaking and canoeing among veterans was held, which brought together not only about 200 Russian athletes from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok, but also guests from Belarus. This time the Gomel cohort of rowers of the master class was supplemented by their oar colleagues from Minsk and Zhodino.

With accreditation, the weather didn’t spoil - the gale and heavy rain did not cause joy for either the athletes or the organizers of the regatta, However, the next morning the weather got better - the sun came out and the light breeze was cool. The first day of the race was dedicated to the sprint, so from the early morning the semifinal races of 200 m began. It is noteworthy that from year to year the master class in Russia is gaining momentum, and more and more fans of active sports longevity appear on the waterways. The geography of places where veteran athletes are training is also expanding. This time, to make it to the finals, it was necessary to call in no worse than third place, which in the current competition (more than 25 people in the age group) was quite difficult to do.

According to the results of the men's sprint, the Gomel team were third in the 200m double kayak (Gennady Mezhennikov with a partner and Peter Igor Lychev).

In men alone, no one made it to the finals. There was no luck in the double for Sergei Yashin and Arkady Plechnin.

However, the successes of Gomel’s Victoria Bobra raised the rating of the Gomel team - Victoria became the 200m double champion with a partner from Tver Zhanna Khlopkova, and also a silver medalist in a single kayak.

Gomel traditionally performed well at long distances, because the training methodology of most rowers is focused on marathons. This regatta was no exception. At a distance of 1.5 km in a double kayak, Sergei Yashin and Arkady Plechnin became champions, and Sergey Yashin reinforced the success with the “silver” race alone. Gennady Mezhennikov (GM) and Igor Lychev (S.Pb) also excelled in a double kayak at a distance of 1.5 km.

In addition, in the duet that developed right at the competitions, Victoria (Gm) and Jeanne (Tver) also became long-distance champions. And at the end of the regatta Victoria put another big winning point, becoming the champion in the distance of 1.5 km in a single kayak. She immediately left no hope to her competitors from the start and confidently won her race.

On August 30 of this year, in the suburb of the industrial center of Linz, Ottensheim, the open Austrian kayaking and canoeing championship was held at a 30 km marathon. Gomel rowers of the master class Sergey Yashin and Victoria Bobra took part in international competitions.

Participation in marathons has always required athletes a large amount of training, high concentration and willpower, since often the fate of the race is decided at the last meters of a long distance. The peculiarity of this race (6 laps of 5 km, including 5 runs) was that the organizers decided to add a bit of extreme sports to the marathon by laying one of the sections of the route along the stormy Danube at the confluence of the mountain river where the headland buoy was placed. When turning, it was necessary to accurately verify the speed, place and turning radius in advance, otherwise the boat with the rower whirlpools and a strong current were carried tens of meters from the track. I must say that this surprise was a complete surprise for Gomel residents, who have no training in water mountain slalom. In addition, unlike most such regattas, the start was not given from the water, but from the shore. Athletes left the boats and oars at the coastal edge, and they themselves lined up not far on the gentle beach. After the piercing signal of the siren, everyone rushed to their sports equipment and, lowering the boats into the water, began the race. To increase the competition, the athletes of the master class started in the same group as the current masters of sports, including members of the national team. However, the conditions were the same for everyone and there was nothing left but the desire to realize large volumes of training in the current conditions of the mass start. The marathons are interesting in that almost until the last race, or even meters of the distance, it is not clear how the final protocol will be formed. So it happened this time. Slightly behind the leading group at the start and on the stretch of the troubled Danube, Sergei on the smooth water of the bay, where a significant part of the race circle was held, quickly caught up with the second group of athletes and, setting them on a “wave”, rushed to the crossing section at a high distance . It should be noted that the process of running is almost a separate discipline of a rowing marathon, where experienced athletes, having honed the art of landing, running with a kayak to the landing site, start the rowing process, forming a gap of 50-100 m from the pursuers. Without proper command of such techniques, our guys had only one thing - to fight with rivals on the water. And they did it well - already after the 20th km, almost all the athletes from the group sitting with Sergei “on the wave”, unable to withstand high speed, fell behind and stopped competing for high places in the finish protocol. In the end, Sergey Yashin became the winner of the Austrian open marathon championship in the master class, and the fifth in the overall standings of professional athletes.

No less successful was the race with Victoria. Having successfully overcome 5 laps of 5 km, including 4 runs, Gomel came to the finish line second, losing the victory to the eminent Austrian.

Athletes noted the great hospitality of the host country (WSV Ottensheim), the good traditions of Austrian rowing clubs, the excellent work of the organizing committee and judges.