Rotorua champion to paddle in Rio

WORLD CHAMPION: Rotorua's Julia Edward is off to the Olympics in August. PHOTO/FILE

Rotorua world champion Julia Edward has been given the green light to go to the Olympics following Rowing New Zealand's announcement of a 31-strong team heading to Rio de Janeiro.

Edward and rowing partner Sophie MacKenzie (Marlborough) have won back-to-back world titles in the women's lightweight double scull division and could claim a gold medal come the Olympics in August.

The pair were among 31 athletes across 33 seats in nine boat classes named in the New Zealand Olympic rowing team yesterday. This team will be the largest in New Zealand Olympic rowing history and, for the first time, will feature a women's eight and a men's lightweight four.

An additional team of 15 athletes made up of five boats has also been named to compete at the final qualification regatta in Lucerne, Switzerland, between May 22-25.

With seven 2015 world championship medals in Olympic events, the New Zealand rowing team is positioned strongly in the build-up to the Olympic Games.

NZ Olympic president Mike Stanley, himself an Olympic rower, said he was delighted to welcome the athletes to the New Zealand Olympic Team.

"New Zealand rowers have a very strong Olympic history and have had outstanding results over the last 12 months," he said. "While the Olympic Games environment is incredibly competitive, we have no doubt New Zealand history in Rio will be made on the rowing course.

"The Olympic Games have the power to inspire and I know the rowers named today will make their mark on New Zealanders.

"I would like to congratulate them and wish them the very best as their campaigns countdown to Rio."

Rowing New Zealand high performance director Alan Cotter said of the trial process: "All of the athletes selected have worked enormously hard to get to this point, gone through a rigorous trialling process and have met the high standard needed to be chosen for any New Zealand rowing crew."

Headlining the New Zealand rowing team are 2012 London Olympic gold medallists Mahe Drysdale, Hamish Bond and Eric Murray.