Rowing: Gallantry injury dims hope for Hamill

Kiwi rowing hero Rob Hamill's hopes of completing a unique double have been dashed by his breaking his right hand saving a woman from a bashing.

Hamill won the 1997 Trans-Atlantic Rowing Challenge with the late Phil Stubbs.

He has been in Tenerife, in Spain's Canary Islands, preparing for the latest challenge next month partnering Auckland policeman Steve Westlake.

But the hand injury, suffered when Hamill helped a Tenerife woman being beaten by her husband, means he is now a doubtful starter for the 4667km race from Tenerife to Barbados starting on October 7.

"I'm just devastated," Hamill said last night. X-rays have revealed that he has a broken knuckle which will require surgery. He has only a small chance of being able to compete.

Hamill has spearheaded the two-boat Telecom Challenge campaign this year. He was to have rowed with Westlake; the other entrants are women Jude Ellis and Steph Brown.

National rowing representative Matt Goodman is heading off to Tenerife to replace Hamill if he is finally ruled out.

- NZPA