As the Olympic 2012 team was announced in SA, two on the list Ramon Di Clemente (left) and Shaun Keeling took the Etana brand to Spain – on their boat.
They were training yesterday in Spain at Banyoles near Barcelona where today (Friday) they will row against the best of the best in the rowing world in the first World Cup regatta of the European season. Here they have a preliminary warm up prior to giving their oars having a full workout today and during this weekend.
Shaun is Ramon's 3rd partner over a long and winning career and together they recently won the South African heavyweight championship for the 2nd time - for Ramon it was his 12th win of the title!
The chairman of Etana, Paolo Cavalieri, their new sponsor, was the manager of the South African Barcelona Olympics rowing team at the same course in 1992 so for Paolo there is an element of sentiment in the race this weekend. “I will be watching the race with personal interest on the web because I was there 17 years ago and also because these two have a magic between them that is going to make South Africa proud as we head toward the next Olympics.”
There is historic significance to South Africans about Barcelona and the Banyoles rowing course. The Barcelona Olympics was the first Olympic Games when South Africans were allowed back into international competition when Madiba was released.
Photos:
Here is pictures taken yesterday of them getting their oars wet in Spain before the heats begin today.
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