Gold medal winning single sculler Rob Waddell is predicting a
gold rush as the rowing regatta reaches a crescendo for the New
Zealand team at Eton Dorney tonight.
The exploits of double scullers Nathan Cohen and Joseph Sullivan
last night winning New Zealand's first gold medal of the London
Olympics is just the beginning with more medals expected to
follow.
The invincible men's pair Hamish Bond and Eric Murray who have
never been beaten in nearly four years of competition, start as
overwhelming favourites tonight after Mahe Drysdale gets his shot
at gold in the single sculls.
"I think it would be amazing if we got another two golds tonight
but I think the previous world champs have set some expectations
for what the rowers are capable of and if they got two more golds
tonight it is just proof that the system is working well," Waddell
told TV ONE's Breakfast this morning.
The benefit of the well-oiled New Zealand rowing machine was seen
in full flight last night with Cohen and Sullivan roaring
home.
It was particularly pleasing for Waddell, who partnered Cohen in
the double sculls at the Beijing Olympics four years ago.
They ended up finishing a disappointing fourth but Waddell believes
experiences like that make you stronger.
"Those guys have some experience now I mean there are a lot of
rowers like that at his regatta that have had two, three Olympics
but they haven't always got the result they wanted and when you see
an athlete winning like that sometime you think it has always been
like that but I think that behind everyone there is a story," he
said.
"There is wins and losses and what an amazing achievement to win an
Olympic gold medal for those guys they'll just be thrilled."
Prime Minister John Key says last nights gold was an amazing result
for New Zealand.
Key described New Zealand's first gold medal win was fantastic and
says he is optimistic that there are more to come.
"New Zealand's got a great team over there," Key said today.
"The Olympics are a huge event, everyone lifts themselves for the
Olympic games and there's a great chance that well have more medals
and hopefully well get some tonight.
Cohen and Sullivan left their charge late and were last when they
got to the first split at the 500m mark.
They still had 2.47s to make up when they hit the 1500m mark. But
they made it look easy and held steady to win by a comfortable
1.13s, while the Italian and Slovenian boats faded late in the
race.
"They have won lots of races, lots of tight races like that - their
last two world champs have been won in a similar fashion so they
positioned themselves really well."
"I think the head wind was a telling factor in this race. Some of
the crews that went out strong couldn't sustain that pace but they
positioned themselves really well. I think one concern I had before
the race was that the other crews might get a bit too far but they
were positioned perfectly and struck at the perfect time and what
an amazing finish!"
The nerve-wreaking win puts Cohen and Sullivan in illustrious
company. They join the rowing eight from 1972, the 1984 coxless
four, Waddell and the Evers-Swindell twins, who won two consecutive
golds in 2004 and 2008, as New Zealand's only gold medal winners in
rowing.
But that elite group could very well increase exponentially by the
end of tonight.
Rob Waddell predicts NZ rowing gold rush
Published: 11:29AM Friday August 03, 2012 Source: ONE Sport
Advertisement
Advertisement
Olympics News
- Aussies told to co-operate or miss Olympics
- Olympic champion exposed in drug campaign
- Tokyo governor apologises for 'inappropriate' comments
- British hoops gets multi-million pound package
- Silver-medal sailors set sights on Rio Olympics
Most Popular
- Chiefs keep title defence on track over Crusaders video
- Play abandoned at Headingly as rain pours video
- Man City set sights high for incoming manager
- Williams turns on tears over All Blacks retirement video
- Wests Tigers steal NRL win over Cowboys
rssLatest News
How do you want your news?
-
Email
Choose the news you want when you want it, all in one personalised daily e-mail.
-
Mobile Devices
ONE News is available on iPhone, iPad, and as a mobile site.
-
News Feeds
See when TVNZ have added new content. You can get the latest headlines anywhere.
-
Podcasts
Enjoy TVNZ on the move - a wide range of programmes and highlights are available.
Copyright © 2013, Television New Zealand Limited. Breaking and Daily News, Sport & Weather | TV ONE, TV2 | Ondemand