Rowing: Sculler nabs Sydney berth with husband

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Sonia Waddell confirmed her standing as New Zealand's best women's sculler when she booked her trip to the Sydney Olympics with a convincing win in yesterday's second trial on Lake Karapiro.

Waddell, who had won the Olympic single sculls spot for New Zealand at last year's world rowing championships, cleared out to beat Georgina Evers-Swindell by 9s with her twin sister Caroline Evers-Swindell not far away in third.

With a two-win advantage, a planned third trial tomorrow has been scrapped.

"The conditions were pretty good," said Rowing New Zealand chief executive Mike Stanley. "Sonia's win certainly confirmed her as our nomination for the single."

Stanley also confirmed the coaching appointments for this year's crews in the build-up to Sydney 2000.

Richard Tonks, who was named coach of the year at last month's Halberg Awards, will coach Waddell's husband, world single sculls champion Rob Waddell, and the Evers-Swindell sisters in either a pair oar or double scull.

National coach Steve Gunn will look after Sonia Waddell and lightweight single sculler Melissa Bray (Wellington).

Bray will contest lightweight singles at World Cup regattas in Europe as part of a big New Zealand contingent. There are no lightweight events at Sydney 2000.

Cambridge's Norm Charlton will coach the women's eight in their bid to win late Olympic selection, while Brian Hawthorne will continue to coach the men's coxless four who have already booked their place in Sydney.

In a handicap race over 1500m yesterday, the women's eight raced a men's four and lightweight double scull.

The New Zealand contingent of 20 - including Bryce Mael and Steve Westlake who are part of the men's four but who could try and qualify as a pair in Lucerne - leave for Europe on June 17, about two months after their best boats have been shipped.

All crews will race in the World Cup regatta in Vienna on June 24-26. The crews chasing Olympic places will row in Lucerne from July 10-12 and some crews in another World Cup regatta on July 14-16 also in Lucerne.