Evers-Swindell sisters out to show supremacy

Evers-Swindell sisters out to show supremacy in NZ rowing champ finals

World champion sisters Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell will defend a string of national titles at the New Zealand rowing chamionships on Lake Ruataniwha near Twizel on Saturday.

The sisters won the coxless four, quadruple sculls and double sculls titles last year and they will be fighting to retain their dominance on the water on Saturday.

Caroline Evers-Swindells also wants to win a fourth title -- the New Zealand single sculls 'redcoat' she first won two years ago.

``It's going to be a big day on Saturday. That's just what we are focusing on at the moment,'' she said.

``However beyond that we have a lot to look forward to this year. We re-assemble on Lake Karapiro for training at 6am next Wednesday then we have the national trials there on March 14.''

Along with New Zealand's other elite rowers the Evers-Swindell sisters are aiming for the world championships in Milan at the end of August.

They will spend six weeks in Europe building up to defend the world double sculls title they won in Seville, Spain, last year.

``The German pair were the only ones not there last year but I here they are back again and they won the title the year before us so we are looking forward to racing against them,'' Caroline Evers-Swindell said.

``We will not be the favourites going into thecworld champs, especially with the German girls back again as they say they will.

``But we are enjoying our rowing at the momet and want to continue for some time yet, thanks to out Telecom, Sparce and Scottwood Trust sponsorship.''

The champion rowing sisters missed out on qualifying for the Sydney 2000Olympics and would love to be at the Athens Olympics next year.

But they are not looking that far ahead yet. They have immediate goals to retain their national supremacy on the water on Saturday.

The only 'redcoat' championship event to be decided on the water tomorrow (Friday) will be the men's coxless four -- last year won by the Avon crew of David and Sam Earl, Ian Smallman and Chris Flanagan.

Double Olympian David Schaper has replaced David Earl in the Avon boat for the final when they come up against the strong Wairau four of Rob Hellstrom, Tom Stallard, Ben Bell and Sean O'Neill.

Schaper is expected to make a decision this week about making himself available for the world championships this year and the Athens Olympics.

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