Rowing: Waddell powers way to gold

LUCERNE - New Zealand's medal chances at Sydney received a big boost yesterday when champion single sculler Rob Waddell won gold at the World Cup rowing regatta at Lucerne.

Waddell showed great depth of character to come back from his second placing in Vienna three weeks ago to win the final in cold and wet conditions.

The men's coxless four of Rob Hellstrom, Toni Dunlop, Scott Brownlee and Dave Schaper finished second in their final, beating Australia and Britain.

Italy surprised everyone to take the title in a sensational result that saw the world champion British four relegated out of medal contention.

Sonia Waddell was fifth in the women's single sculls.

All three New Zealand boats will be competing at the Olympics in September.

Hot favourite Waddell took charge of his final, staving off a challenge by Canada's world championship bronze medallist Derrick Porter to take the line in 6m 53.13s - 1.02s ahead of Porter.

The Czech Republic were third, Germany fourth, Italy fifth and Bulgaria sixth.

"I was happy with my row, It was a good scull and shows we are on track for Sydney," Waddell said.

"It's very satisfying and nice to be on the World Cup dais again after winning in Vienna and Lucerne last year."

Sonia Waddell said she was happy with her performance which helped her to retain her world ranking from last year.

Italy stunned the field in the men's coxless four by taking off from the gun.

No one could catch them, but New Zealand and Australia came through for silver and bronze ahead of Britain who had not been beaten for two years until yesterday.

The women's double sculls of Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell convincingly won the B final of their event.

The 21-year-olds completed their international season for 2000, finishing 5s clear of Games qualifier Switzerland.

With this performance the pair finished with a World Cup ranking of fifth.

Wellington's Melissa Bray continued her progress in her debut international year by finishing 11th in the women's lightweight single sculls.

Bray was bunched in a group of three scullers who finished within a second of each other.

Overall, it was the best result from a New Zealand team at the World Cup since the event began in 1997.

The crews return to New Zealand tomorrow to continue their buildup.

- NZPA

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