Rowing: Kiwis sail through early rounds in World Cup

New Zealand's Athens gold medalists Georgina and Caroline Evers-Swindell pulled off a clean sweep in the single sculls in round one of the Rowing World Cup in Munich on Friday.

Elsewhere, there were New Zealand qualifiers in the women's and men's pairs, and men's fours.

Caroline opened the proceedings in the women's singles, overtaking Russia's Yulia Levina to win the first heat, while in the third heat, Georgina Evers-Swindell -- normally the slower of the two in the singles -- set the fastest qualifying time.

Georgina led the whole race, and was forced to the line by Czech Mirka Knapkova who pulled out a last 500m sprint.

In the women's pairs, New Zealand's Nicky Coles and Juliette Haigh recorded the fastest time.

The Athens Olympics pair rowed a consistent race to take the lead by the second 1,000.

In heat one of the men's pairs, New Zealanders Nathan Twaddle and George Bridgewater led from start to finish developing a clear water lead by the 750m mark.

In the men's fours, the Kiwi team -- under Chris Nilsson's guidance -- led from start to finish over two German crews.

- NZPA