Rowing, Kohl Italian Capovoga at Oxford Cambridge

A challenge for glory. The appointment on the Thames with the “Boat Race” is renewed, the rowing challenge between the crews of Oxford and Cambridge, and this year Italy will be the protagonist. In the remail challenge that has lived since 1829 – from 1856 on an annual basis – there will be a blue on Oxford’s army: Nicholas Kohl, of German father and Italian mother, fourth at the Paris Olympics with the four without. It will be the second Italian in history to participate in the event. Before him Roberto Blanda in 1997 always with the oldest university of the United Kingdom. The appointment is for tomorrow, Sunday, at 3.21 pm (14.21 London) for the 170th edition (87-81 the balance in favor of Cambridge).

“It is a dream that comes true. This is the queen race of world rowing, for some it is almost more important than games. Surely it is for the two universities”.

What was your path to get to Oxford?

“I studied in Syracuse and I graduated in environmental engineering. My coach in the States pushed me to try with the question and I was taken for a master’s degree in ‘Science, politics and water management’ in the academic year 2023-2024. When the Federation told me that I would be part of the Olympic project for Paris I had to give up the Master 2023-24 and try again to advance a new question for that This year, 2024-25.

How did your approach to Thames go?

“During the autumn we were on the river three-four times while in this quarter we went down twice a week. The project is quite demanding, it takes time, but it is not comparable as a program of a national team”.

Are you surprised at the role he will play in the challenge?

“I have never been moved from the first trolley, so they are quite in confidence. I am one of the three Olympic team: with me Nick Rusher (USA, bronze in Paris on the eight, ed.) And Thomas Mackintosh (with New Zealand he won eight in Tokyo and competed in single in Paris, ed)”.

“He is more indigenous, they only have a tank top with Olympic experience: James Robson, reserve for Great Britain”.

“We have good sensations even if everything can happen on Thames. It is not like a regatta on the flat lake with six lanes. It is all very different, it can be a clash between the blades, the waves. You have to be ready for everything”.

The Boat Race for the British is like the March Madness for the US. What do you expect to find at the start?

“At the start it can be quite heavy with the noise and the many people on the banks and bridges. There is talk of 250 thousand people on the path. I will certainly know two: dad Manfred and mom Viviana. There will be no brother and my sisters”.

What changes compared to the 2000 classic meters of a rowing race?

“It is a long race, more mental because in 6.8 kilometers everything can happen. You have to start strong and then there is all the travel tactic on the Thames with curves, tactics to defend the outside, earn the interior. With many variables”.

And what does the role of Capovoga foresee?

“You have to set up a sustainable rhythm, I have to put the other seven companions in a condition to express yourself at the best. And then there is work with the referee: it will communicate with me in case there is a risk of collision between the boats and I must then refer to the helmsman. I will have to be good at not being overcome in the start in taking the position. On the Thames there is current so you cannot move too much to get out of the advantageous area”.

She is the second Italian in history. Do you know Roberto Blanda?

“He wrote to me at the beginning of the year, I have not yet known him in person but he certainly was close to me and he gave me advice with his experience. It is very nice to share this story of Italians at Oxford-Cambridge with him.”

When did the love at first sight for sport take place?

“Dad Manfred is very passionate about sports and in 2008 I enjoyed the Olympics with him. On TV. The 100 meters won by Bolt unforgettable. It was unique, incredible. Then I was playing football without expectations. Two years later I got on a rowing antero and I didn’t get off again”.

Do you have other sports passions?

“Cycling. When I have free time I like to alternate the outings on the boat at a few bike rides. I have always loved Andy Schleck but in recent years I cheer for Jonas Vingegaard. In 2022 I was at the stage of the granon, the one where the Danish detached for the first time Tadej Pogacar. Extraordinary. But now in Oxford I discovered more”.

“Rugby. I was in Twickenham to see England-Australia. What a passion”.

Let’s go back to his role on the boat: what would it compare him to?

“To the last man of the quartet in the chase on the cycling track. Ganna in Tokyo was extraordinary in the last minute: you have to decide the rhythm to win without however sending the companions in crisis”.

In 2025 will we see her again in blue?

“No, I have to discuss the thesis and then I will take some vacation. I will not be at the World Cup, we’ll talk about it in 2026”.