Rowing: Medal pair may be split before Beijing

World champion gold and silver medallists Nicky Coles and Juliette Haigh were one of the star turns at New Zealand rowing's six-medal haul at the world championships in London - but may yet be split up before the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

This is just one option facing rowing and that may have faded a little following Haigh and Coles' bravura row for a silver medal in the women's pairs. That came after an ordinary season but they re-established their class with that performance in England last month.

Their future may be tied up with the burgeoning strength of New Zealand rowing, the intensifying competition for seats and the possibility that the promise shown by the New Zealand women's eight deserves further encouragement - possibly by placing the 34-year-old Coles in the eight and finding a new partner for 24-year-old Haigh in the pair.

Coles and Haigh were the focus of stern analysis before London, failing to make the A final at the World Cup in Poznan then finishing fourth at Lucerne. Coles recognises competition will be stiff to maintain her pair place.

"We've won world championship gold and silver medals but next year we're almost certain to be tested in trials," she said. "That'll mean working our butts off to get to Beijing."

They are coached by Dick Tonks and, concerned at their form, demanded Tonks "flog them" in the final weeks of training before London.

Tonks agrees with Coles that it's going to be tough for them to make Beijing but it's not out of the question.

"They are a small pair when you stack them up against others in the women's ranks but you can never tell, leading to the Olympics, whether others will crumble. It's just the second year of the cycle and, as long as they keep their feet on the ground, there's no reason why they couldn't make at least the final come 2008."

Left unsaid is that, given the successes of the past two years and the drive for medals, whether making the final would be good enough. The pair, with Haigh the senior partner and a new, young rower alongside her, might be better off with a new combination - with Coles taking her strength and experience into a promising but young women's eight.

The women's eight performed well in their first season, winning the world championship "B" final, getting Tonks' nod of approval. "They were virtually last in Poland and have made ground throughout the season and to be in the top seven at present means they'd make an Olympic final in what other coaches are telling me is the most competitive field since about 1990-91."

Meanwhile there is still an air of mystery about the surprise third placing by the Evers-Swindell twins in the double sculls, which the defending champs were expected to win.

Beaten just once in the doubles sculls at international level since 2002, the twins have been the subject of many theories for their surprise bronze. One concerns the move to bring Georgina back as stroke (something she used to do). Caroline lost weight and conditioning when a bug ripped through the team in Belgium.

It is unlikely there are any more disciplined trainers in any sport, so it may simply be that staleness has crept into their programme. Tonks admits the Eton result was a shock that might benefit them in the long run.

"Although it's not nice losing, it offers a chance to change things without the same worry - and you've got to remember you can lose every race in four years as long as you win Olympic gold, that's what defines you."