NZL Eight face a Stern Test

by Rowing World on 21 Aug 2006 Only two of the New Zealand crews still have to race at the 2006 World Rowing Championships at Dorney Lake, Eton. The Women's Eight and the Coxed Four. Once again the conditions are a bit overcast with the threat of rain. The sun does come out occasionally. All the New Zealand crews have been out for a session this morning and with the wind on the cross there might be a little cover in the outside lanes. It could be that the starters use lanes zero to five to minimise the possible advantage in lane six.

The Women's eight of Darnelle Timbs, Bess Halley, Nicky-Lee Crawford, Rebecca Scown, Emma Twigg, Paula Twining, Clementine Marshall, Erin Tolhurst, Cox - Candice Bardsley will need to be at the top of their game in the first heat at 11.06 pm (NZ). They are up against the Romania, Great Britain, Canada, Germany and Australia. With only the winner progressing directly to the final, it will be a huge ask for this young crew. The field for the women's eights is one of the biggest for a few years with twelve countries contesting the title.

The men's coxed four of Steven Cottle, James Dallinger, Paul Gerritsen, Dane Boswell, cox - Daniel Quigley will have to wait a little longer to race. With only six crew in the event they will row an 'exhibition' race later in the week to decide the lane draw for the final next Sunday.