Rowing: Battle for eights crews

LONDON - New Zealand yesterday finished sixth and last in the men's and women's eights at the world junior rowing championships.

While both crews trailed the field home, the men performed well in an elite event that attracted 19 entries.

New Zealand were 11.06s behind champions Romania in a dour 2000m battle in which 2.17s covered the first four home.

Romania just held off Russia, with Britain overhauling Germany for third.

New Zealand finished nearly 4s adrift of fifth-placed Italy.

James Kermode, Scott Andrews, George Bridgewater, Ned Lee, Andrew McCowan, Chris Ryburn, David Schumacher, Simon Lack and cox Jeff Dickie were 1.97s behind Romania after 500m. That grew to 5.81s at halfway, then 7.91s at the 1500m.

New Zealand were fifth after 500m in the women's eights over 2000m, an event that attracted seven entries.

Kristie Weenink, Emma Feathery, Amber McKnight, Jenny Jackson, Fiona Paterson, Rosalind Mitchell, Darnelle Timbs, Amy Nixon and cox Sophie Wylie slipped to the tail when the United States passed them before halfway.

New Zealand were 22.37s behind winners Romania at the finish.

Romania beat Belarus by 1.3s for the gold, with more than 5s back to Germany.

Picton single sculler Ryan Gaudin was fourth in the B final, ranking 10th for the regatta.

- NZPA