Rowing: Race will decide sisters' Games

LUCERNE - New Zealand double scullers Georgina and Caroline Evers-Swindell kept their Sydney rowing hopes alive by winning yesterday's Olympic qualifying repechage at Lucerne.

The sisters led their race out of the blocks to the end and will be on their way to the Sydney Games if they finish first or second in today's European Olympic qualifying rowing regatta final.

The New Zealand men's coxless pair of Steve Westlake and Bryce Mael finished last in their repechage, more than 11s behind the winning Lithuanians, and failed to qualify for Sydney.

New Zealand coach Steve Gunn said the squad felt disappointed for the pair but they were excited about the Evers-Swindell sisters winning their repechage.

"They led from start to finish but it's too tough to say how they will go in the final," he said.

"They have beaten most crews here, but they lost to Romania and Hungary in their heat, so they will be making sure they have everything right in the final."

The sisters won the second round of the World Cup in Vienna last month but other crews have improved since then.

The women's eight will also compete in the qualifying final today. They must finish first or second to be selected for the Games.

- NZPA

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