The New Zealand Olympic Committee has announced a team of 12 to represent New Zealand in rowing in Beijing this August. The seven men and five women were considered and confirmed after Rowing New Zealand nominations were submitted to the New Zealand Olympic Committee yesterday.

Teams have been named for men’s and women’s single sculls, the men’s and women’s coxless pair, the women’s double sculls and the men’s coxless four. The New Zealand Olympic selectors were also satisfied that Rowing New Zealand’s nomination process was robust, transparent and fair.

“There is a phenomenal depth of talent in New Zealand rowing and the selection process was designed to make sure the right decisions were made,” said Barry Maister, Olympic selector and Secretary General of the New Zealand Olympic Committee. 
 
“Of the rowers competing for the Olympic spots, 17 were former and current world champions. The Olympic selectors have closely considered the nominations from Rowing New Zealand and we agree they have nominated the right athletes for the right teams. It is a fantastic Kiwi team.”

Each crew selected to the New Zealand Olympic Team has a world championship or Olympic pedigree. Reigning Olympic champions Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell will defend their double scull title. Triple world champion Mahe Drysdale fulfils a dream to race his single scull in the Olympic regatta, while Under-23 world champion Emma Twigg heads for her first Games. The world champion coxless four of Hamish Bond, Eric Murray, James Dallinger and Carl Meyer are also confirmed, as are 2005 world champions George Bridgewater and Nathan Twaddle and Nicky Coles and Juliette Haigh (men’s and women’s coxless pairs respectively).

Rowing New Zealand did not submit a nomination for the Men’s Double Sculls to the New Zealand Olympic selectors. Nominations are expected shortly following further Olympic trials. These delayed trials will allow three rowers to compete for the two remaining positions. The three rowers are Rob Waddell, Nathan Cohen and Matthew Trott.

The New Zealand Olympic, World Championship (non Olympic classes) and Under-23  boats named today are:

Beijing Double Scull (Women)
Caroline Evers-Swindell (Athens 2004 Olympic Gold Medal; 2003, 2005 World Champion; 2006 Bronze Medal - World Championships; 2007 Silver Medal - World Championships)
Georgina Evers-Swindell (Athens 2004 Olympic Gold Medal; 2003, 2005 World Champion; 2006 Bronze Medal - World Championships; 2007 Silver Medal - World Championships)

Beijing Coxless Pair (Women)
Nicola Coles  (2005 World Champion; 2006 Silver Medal - World Championships; 2007 FISA World Cup Series Winners)
Juliette Haigh (2005 World Champion; 2006 Silver Medal - World Championships; 2007 FISA World Cup Series Winners)

Beijing Coxless Four (Men)
Hamish Bond (2007 World Champion)
Eric Murray (2007 World Champion)
James Dallinger (2006 Under - 23 World Champion Coxed Four; 2007 World Champion)
Carl Meyer (2007 World Champion)

Beijing Coxless Pair (Men)
Nathan Twaddle (2005 World Champion, 2006, 2007 Silver Medal – World Championships)
George Bridgewater (2005 World Champion, 2006, 2007 Silver Medal – World Championships)

Beijing Single Scull (Women)
Emma Twigg (2007 Under-23 World Champion)

Beijing Single Scull (Men)
Mahé Drysdale (2005, 2006, 2007 World Champion)

Beijing Double Scull (Men)
TBC
TBC

Eight(women) - Beijing qualifying regatta, Poznan
Rebecca Scown
Simone Hudson
Erin Tolhurst
Anna Reymer
Paula Twining
Fiona Paterson
Harriet Austin
Emma Feathery

(coxswain) Rachel Goudie

Lightweight Men’s Double Scull -- Beijing qualifying regatta, Poznan

Peter Taylor
Storm Uru

Lightweight Women’s Double Scull -- Beijing qualifying regatta, Poznan

Louise Ayling
Candice Hammond

Non Olympic class World Championship boats (Races to be run at Junior World Championship)

Lightweight Men’s Single Scull
Duncan Grant

Lightweight Men’s Coxless Pair
Todd Petherick
Richard Beaumont

Under 23 boats

Under 23 Men’s Coxless Four

David Eade
Hamish Burson
Tyson Williams
Jade Uru

Under 23 Men’s Eight

Simon Watson
Elliot Riley
Brady Norton
Tyler Sherman
Ben Hammond
Mark Haywood
Warwick Wright
Nicolas Pusinelli

(coxswain) Daniel Quigley

Under 23 Women’s Quad Scull

Roslyn Knox
Tamsin Gilbert
Odette Sceats
Anna Stantiall

Under 23 Women’s Coxless Four

Kate Reymer
Nicki-Lee Crawford
Alexandra Burnside 
Jessica Loe

Under 23 Reserves:
Genevieve Armstrong (non-travelling)
Rebecca Baker (non-travelling)