World champion rower killed in crash
TRIBUTES have been paid to a former rowing world champion killed in a car crash on New Year's Day.
Carl Smith, 48, of Jumelles Drive, Calverton, died on the A6097 Epperstone bypass, near Lowdham, at around 1.30pm on Friday.
His TVR 350 car left the road and struck a tree at the junction with Old Epperstone Road.
Firefighters cut Mr Smith free from the vehicle but he died at the scene from his injuries.
Friends led the tributes.
Chris Bates, 47, of Newark, a friend of more than 30 years, said: "Carl was like a brother to me. I had rowed with him since we were 14 and he was the most fantastic athlete.
"He was very determined and an extremely hard competitor, but he was always humble in victory and magnanimous in defeat."
Speaking on behalf of Mr Smith's family, Mr Bates added: "He was the best friend anyone could wish to have.
"His family have had their world ripped apart."
Friends at Nottingham Rowing Club, where Mr Smith was a coach, described him as "one of the nice guys".
Club president Keith Atkinson said Mr Smith had been returning home from a training session at the club's base at Trent Side North, West Bridgford, when the accident happened.
Mr Atkinson said: "This is a very tragic and awful accident. We are all really sad about Carl's death.
"He had a fantastic track record and he was a very modest guy."
Mr Smith began his rowing career as a cox at Nottingham and Union Rowing Club, aged 12.
He went on to win gold medals at four world championships, including at his home course in Nottingham in 1986.
He was named international rower of the year in 1994 after his fourth world title success.
Mr Smith retired from rowing in 1996, having also won five Henley Royal Regattas and two Commonwealth Games medals during his career.
Ian Wilson, former president of Notts County Rowing Association, said: "Carl was one of the few people to have ever won four world titles in both rowing and sculling disciplines.
"As a coach he was inspirational. He was a regular guy who loved his sport."
Mr Smith is survived by his partner, Ros, and two adult children, Ben and Lydia.
A number of bouquets were laid at the crash scene over the weekend.
One had a card which read: "Ros, Lydia, Ben, thinking about you all. Memories can never be taken".
Another bouquet card read: "Carl, you will be sadly missed. Our deepest thoughts go out to your family."
Community figures in Lowdham also expressed their shock following Mr Smith's death.
Coun Andy Stewart, county councillor for Farnsfield and Lowdham, said he had been campaigning for safety improvements on the bypass since the mid-1980s.
He said: "The county council's accident and investigation unit is continually monitoring the A6097 to see what safety improvements can be done."
bryan.henesey@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk
18 Comments
View all
by Lydia Smith, Nottingham
Tuesday, April 06 2010, 10:57PM
“I am writing on behalf of my dads family, we would like to thank everyone for all the amazing tributes and for every bit of support that we have had, everyone has been fantastic and i am sorry it has taken so long for us to thank everyone for this. Also thank you to every single person that came to say goodbye and there love and support to my dad at his funeral.
still today it doesnt feel real to us.. we miss him with every heartbeat. his baby boo (amber the dog still looks out for him)
thank you again to all of you.
Lydia smith
p.s me and my brother and friends and family are doing a coast to coast bike ride for my dad and the robin hood half marathon.
we will make sure his memory lives on.”
by Justin Hooker, Sydney, Australia
Sunday, January 10 2010, 10:04PM
“I'll always remember the camaraderie with Carl and the NCRA guys on training camps and regattas. Carl was the heart and soul of the eight ¿ always encouraging and driving everyone to push yourself beyond what the thought were your limits.
I¿ll never forget the re-row against Harvard with about 10 strokes to go Carl starts waving his arm in the air to show that we were no 1! I¿m glad I got to return to Henley last year to catch up with the crew. Carl¿s wit and boundless energy were undiminished, and will be as I will always remember him.
I¿m proud to be able to say that I rowed Carl and privileged to have been able to call him a friend.
My sympathies go to Ros, Ben, & Lydia.”
by Judith Johnson (nee Haining), Nottingham
Sunday, January 10 2010, 1:39PM
“That is very sad news.
May he rest in peace.
Best wishes to his family.”
by Keith Symons, Widmerpool, Notts
Sunday, January 10 2010, 8:59AM
“I had the pleasure of teaching Carl to cox a whilst stroking an eight at the Nottingham & Union R.C. When he cxaught the rowing bug it was very clear that he would go a long way, but nobody could have expected him to achieve so much. my thoughts now go out to his family”
by John Melvin, London
Friday, January 08 2010, 7:09PM
“I still cant believe this has happened. It has shocked me to the core. Carl Smith the legend -gone. A remarkable man, a remarkable athlete, a remarkable waste. An earlier tribute mentioned his steam engine breathing and I remember it only too well - an awesome sound from an awesome sculler. I am truly honoured to have known him, laughed with him and raced him in the 80s. My thoughts and prayers are with you Ros and your family at this most tragic time.”
by John Griffiths, Monmouth
Friday, January 08 2010, 2:11PM
“I'm still shocked at this news. Carl was one of the true gentleman in the sport of rowing. In all the rivalries in the 80's between London and Nottingham, Carl was always a real sportsman and the rivalry was always just sporting. I had the honour of sharing a house with Carl when he spent a year in London and had nothing but admiration for his whole approach to rowing and life in general.
A great loss.”
by Wendy Vanderwyk, Canada
Wednesday, January 06 2010, 7:58PM
“My dearest Ros, Ben and Lydia. Words alone cannot express the sadness that is felt by so many. Whether a family member, a friend, a trainer, a coach or perhaps a new competitor none of us can comprehend the devistation that has been felt since Carls' passing. Being his cousin I have bragged of his achievements most of my life. I always said "oh my cousin Carl is a gold medal rower, maybe you have heard of him." Reading all of these memorials makes me prouder, not just because of who he was in the rowing world but because of who he was as a husband, a father and a friend. My mom his aunt has had her heart ripped out. She spoke of Carl like a son. She is proud beyond the beyond of who he was as a man. We all loved him, we will all miss him, but he will always live on inside of each of us. God bless you Carl, and as for you Ros, Ben and Lydia may you find some peace in knowing that he will always be with you somehow, someway. He loved you all. - Love to each of you and God Bless - Wendy”
by Gearoid Towey, Sydney, Aus
Wednesday, January 06 2010, 4:44AM
“Carl came out of retirement in 1999 to row the 4's head with myself, Tom Kay and Gareth Davis. He had been out of regular races for 3 years and was keeping fit and we went out and came second in the 4's head beating guys who were training full time in the National Squad. It was an amazing experience to row with Carl, as not only did I get to row with a legend, but I learned a great deal about oarsmanship and sportsmanship. He was highly skilled, extremely tough but above all, an awesome, down to earth guy who was so generous with his time and knowledge. I feel honored to have shared at least one race with him.
Gearoid (Gags) Towey”
by samantha, Nottingham
Tuesday, January 05 2010, 10:44PM
“Lydia im still soo sorry im still so upset... i just wish we could done much more for him.. i couldnt stay there when i put my flowers down. i still just cant believe it. i hope your all ok .. everytime i go past it my eyes jus fill with tears..”
by Charles Watkins, Nuthall, Nottingham
Tuesday, January 05 2010, 7:46PM
“For Carl, a Dearly Loved Son i Law for whom we are immensley proud and who was part of our life for 28 years.
We have many happy memories that will stay with us forever.
God Bless You Carl.
Charlie and Joan.”