Oliver Zeidler is considered the German rowing sport’s shooting star. Up until two years ago, he was a successful swimmer winning his year’s German Championships in 2014 and 2015. At the end of 2016, he finished his swimming career and started rowing instead. Since then, his career has been rising. In his first season, he was World Cup winner and prevailed in the nomination for the World Cup against his direct competitor, Tim Ole Naske. However, the talent was placed in his cradle since his grandfather Hans-Johann Färber won the Olympic gold medal in 1972 and his father Heino won the fourth rank at the World Championships of 1994. Also, his younger sister Marie-Sophie is a successful rower herself, having won several medals at the European- and World Championships. The 2.03-meter-tall model athlete has big dreams as well: After winning the gold medal at the European Championships 2019 in Lucerne, he wants to establish himself at the top of the world and win more (gold) medals. For this goal, Olli remains in Munich and continues to be trained by his father Heino in the single scull.
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15 German scullers, 3 boat classes and only 7 seats available. The young scullers have a long and hard way ahead of them. Who will make it into which boat and fulfill his dream of the Olympic Games?
Water is Oliver Zeidler’s favorite element. He had been a competitive swimmer before he opted for rowing three years ago. But also on land, the Bavarian has his strengths.
The rowing soul is delighted, because the athletes like to rowing most with their boats on glassy water and sunny weather. But also a training camp has its rules.
Oliver Zeidler, Stephan Krüger, Tim Ole Naske – those are three contenders for the seat in the single scull. Each of them has his very own strengths. In Erba they practice head-to-head.
In the end the coaches select the rowers for the boats. The double scull could become highly competitive. Only the most successful boat of the last years causes some worries.
The ergometer test is the starting point of the selection and well known in the world of rowing: 2,000 meters – human vs. machine.
More than just a final rehearsal for the German Championship in Cologne: the single scull races in Hamburg-Allermöhe.
Lauritz Schoof is one of the most successful German rowers in history. He knows the importance of pretests and his best friend Stephan Krüger very well!
The German Championships are not just about the title. Already in the quarter-finals, there is a hard fight for a place among the first twelve. Not everyone achieves this goal.
In the finale of the German Small Boat Championships it comes to the final decision. But Oliver Zeidler leaves no doubt that there can be only one champion.
Olli Zeidler’s steady rise seems to have no end. Also in Lucerne he outclassed the international scullers and crowned himself the new European champion.
The international competition is also impressed by Olli Zeidler. Damir Martin even has a nickname for him.
Hans Gruhne finally made his way to the stroke in the quadruple. One of his best friends was waiting for him.
Oliver Zeidler made his way up to world elite pretty astonishing. But is his performance measurable? Sport scientist Mark Amort knows more.
The room colleagues Olli Zeidler and Stephan Riemekasten draw a very personal conclusion towards the end of the training camp in Weissensee.
So far, the season has been fantastic for Oliver Zeidler. In the final of the World Championships there ar strong guys waiting. While Olli is on his own in the race, father Heino cheers loudly away from the track. What a thriller.