A commentary gaffe by TVNZ's Peter Montgomery as the Evers-Swindell twins snatched the country's first Olympic gold has prompted stinging remarks from bloggers already unimpressed with the state broadcaster's commentary team.
As Georgina and Caroline crossed the finish line in the women's double sculls rowing at Shun-yi onSaturday, the veteran broadcaster announced Germany as the winners, Great Britain second and New Zealand third.
But the numbers he was referring to actually represented the lane numbers on screen and an official photo revealed the twins as the winners by one-hundredth of a second over German pair Annekatrin Thiele and Christiane Huth.
Co-commentator Mike Stanley was quick to correct Montgomery.
"No, I think New Zealand ... they're going to the photo finish, they're going to the photo finish."
But Montgomery, not realising it was his mistake, replied: "Yep, they've got that wrong".
Stanley also had to correct Montgomery about 1750m into the race after he called the twins in the lead when they were clearly half a boat-length behind the Germans.
Bloggers on a Trade Me message board did not hold back criticism.
"Kayceaz" wrote: "PM just needs to calm down a bit I think, starts to get carried away with what's happening and forgets he is telling the story to everyone who isn't there, and people who maybe are sight impaired, not necessarily deaf!!!"
Another blogger said Montgomery should stick with big boats. Others called on him to retire, saying he was "past it".
Bloggers also criticised Toni Street at the rowing, saying she asked stupid questions and was too excitable.
"She's like an overexcited school girl on her first trip overseas," one wrote. "We don't need to know how much of a ball she is having there; just some decent journalism and interviewing skills would be such a relief."
Many bloggers said they were looking forward to Sky and Prime doing the Olympic coverage in four years.
