Rowing at the 1908 Summer Olympics – Men's single sculls


The men's single sculls was one of four rowing events on the Rowing at the 1908 Summer Olympics programme. Nations could enter up to 2 boats. Nine rowers from six nations competed.

Competition format

The 1908 tournament featured four rounds of one-on-one races; with 9 boats in the competition, 7 had byes to the quarterfinals and only 1 race was held in the first round. Semifinal losers each received bronze medals. The course was 1.5 miles in length, with two slight bends near the start and about halfway.

Standings

PlaceRowerNation
1Harry Blackstaffe
2Alexander McCulloch
3Bernhard von Gaza
3Károly Levitzky
5Walter Bowler
5Gino Ciabatti
5Jozef Hermans
5Lewis Scholes
9Ernő Killer

Results

First round

Heat 1

Von Gaza won easily, and Killer abandoned the race after the German crossed the finish line.
PlaceRowerNationTime
1Bernhard von Gaza9:35.0
DNFErnő Killer-

Quarterfinals

Quarterfinal 1

PlaceRowerNationTime
1Bernhard von Gaza9:47.0
2Lewis ScholesUnknown

Quarterfinal 2

PlaceRowerNationTime
1Károly Levitzky10:08.0
2Gino CiabattiUnknown

Quarterfinal 3

Bowler capsized, leaving Blackstaffe with the win.
PlaceRowerNationTime
1Harry Blackstaffe10:03.0
DNFWalter Bowler-

Quarterfinal 4

PlaceRowerNationTime
1Alexander McCulloch10:08.0
2Jozef HermansUnknown

Semifinals

Semifinal 1

PlaceRowerNationTime
1Alexander McCulloch10:22.0
2Károly LevitzkyUnknown

Semifinal 2

von Gaza fell ill at the 1500m mark, leaving Blackstaffe to ease off and win.
PlaceRowerNationTime
1Harry Blackstaffe10:14.0
-Bernhard von GazaDNF

Final

McCulloch took the early lead, but started by pulling fewer strokes than Blackstaffe. McCulloch opened up by a length and led through 1200 yards before being caught by Blackstaffe. At 1 mile, Blackstaffe pulled ahead by ¾ of a length and held this lead to the finish.
PlaceRowerNationTime
1Harry Blackstaffe9:26.0
2Alexander McCulloch