Sport
1News

Rowing NZ not panicking despite horror World Champs campaign - 'We're in a pretty good position'

September 17, 2018

It was a day of disappointment on the final day of the World Champs in Bulgaria but Rowing NZ’s chairman says there's no need to panic.

New Zealand lost all their world titles and world record holder single sculler Robbie Manson failed to deliver, coming 5th for the second time at a world champs.

Women's double sculls rower Liv Loe summed up the feeling of the squad to 1 NEWS.

"We were definitely gutted, we came here to win."

Instead, Loe and Brooke Donoghue picked up silver - not even their signature sprint finish could close the gap on the Lithuanians.

"A few crews really jumped out on us and we worked incredibly hard through that middle to try and get it back," Loe said

"To be honest, it's not quite what we wanted but we are happy with our race," Donoghue added.

The last time New Zealand left a world champs without a world title was 2001 and to put this in perspective, this time four years ago, the same time in the Olympic cycle, New Zealand came away with nine medals - six of them gold.

Rowing NZ chair Gerry Dwyer isn't worried though.

"It is disappointing but we have been accused of peaking too early before. Going into Rio, that was a problem for us.

"I think we're in a pretty good position right now with eight finalists all in Olympic events."

Loe, however, say there's no excuses.

"Go back home and work harder."

SHARE ME

More Stories