The twin brothers Lukas and Julian Grimm from Passau, who also competed for the University of Passau this year, were able to defend their title from last year at the European University Championships (EUC) in rowing from 18 to 21 September in Bydgoszcz, Poland. In the men's lightweight coxless double sculls final race over 1000 metres, the pair took the lead early on and rowed to the gold medal with a five-second margin of victory.
Along the way to the final, the brothers had to compete with opponents from Great Britain, Hungary, and Portugal. After the final practice runs before the final day, the strategy for the decisive race was: get off to a fast start and then sprint to the finish line. By the 500 metre mark, the twin brothers were already about a length ahead of the opposing boats. In the second part of the race, it was then a matter of persevering and extending the lead. Despite rough water and windy conditions, they managed this with technically clean and powerful strokes, enabling Lukas and Julian Grimm to win the race comfortably with a time of 3:22.45 minutes, ahead of the second-placed team from Hungary.
The pair received great support for the university championships from their home club, the Passau Rowing Club, which provided them with both the boat and the transport vehicle during the entire training phase and the regatta, and they were also accompanied by their coach Dirk Rose.
“Julian and Lukas Grimm's successful title defence at the European Championships is a huge success and represents a significant achievement for competitive sports at the University of Passau,” says Prof. Dr. Gereon Berschin, Director of the Sports Centre. "We are trying to do what we can to promote competitive rowing at the University of Passau. Rowing is a prominent part of our profile and that of the University.