Rowing: Champions focused on next title

By ANDY HAY

Being a twin was never more lonely for Georgina Evers-Swindell than during the fanfare she faced single-handed yesterday after the triumph at the world championships.

She was pleased to be home, but wishing she could share the welcome with sister Caroline, who is holidaying in the United States.

The separation will be shortlived. The world double-sculls champions, who won in a world-record time in Seville, Spain, will be back on the water with the rest of the New Zealand training squad in three weeks focused on the next goal - retaining their title at next year's championships in Italy.

As for a reappearance in the quadruple sculls and a shot at two titles, that would be in the hands of the selectors, Georgina Evers-Swindell said. "It depends on who is available and if it's fast enough. It would be awesome, but the competition this year was that much harder than last year so it would be extremely tough."

Barrie Mabbott, NZ Rowing's high performance commissioner, said a quad was still in the frame, despite the decision to pull it from this year's championships. "The dynamics in the crew didn't allow them to reach full potential," he said.

"We'll be asking the twins over the summer how they feel and the other three or four key candidates how they would feel about rowing with certain combinations."

Coach Dick Tonks came home straight after the regatta to be with his wife, Flo, who is expecting a baby today. He masterminded their campaign perfectly, Evers-Swindell said. "I don't know what isn't good about him. We're just really lucky to have him."