THE PRESS, Christchurch Friday, July 20, 2012 SPORT B11 ROWING It’s now all down to focus for Kiwi stars Marc Hinton the focus, not the fury. It’s Cohen and Joseph Sullivan but you need rise to that about keeping cool, staying are also picked to prevail after challenge. Some crumble Consider this random rowing calm and taking care of the a silver in Munich confirmed under the pressure and some fact: for every stroke the Kiwi controllables. It’s definitely they had addressed what ever rise to it. It’s the biggest squad take down the Olympic not about ratcheting them- they needed to following their challenge, and the most waters of Eton Dorney, they selves into a high state of Lucerne mis-step. satisfying one.’’ will have put in 10,000 in anxiety for the Games regatta Others in medal conten- Murray takes an almost training. (July 28-August 4). tion are the improving nonchalant approach to their This is a group that prefers New Zealand has never women’s lightweight double dominance. to leave as little as possible to won multiple rowing gold of Louise Ayling and Julia ‘‘Everyone is trying to chance. medals at an Olympics – their Edward, the two-times world catch us because we’ve obvi- So it should come as no best the gold and two bronzes champion women’s pair of ously set the benchmarks,’’ he surprise to hear there’s a of four years ago – yet the Juliette Haigh and Rebecca says. sense of serenity hovering consensus is that this stacked Scown and single-sculler The aim for London is to over what’s been widely squad, with nine past or Emma Twigg. They could race as ‘‘relaxed’’ as possible. hailed as the finest collection present world champions, more than double the pre- Adds Bond: ‘‘The biggest of rowing talent ever to have should achieve that without vious best haul. thing is belief that you can left our shores. Never mind breaking a sweat. But they are united on the win. It’s pretty hard for them the hype; never mind the wild Bond and Murray are a mindset they need to take in. to believe they can win if no- predictions of a medal haul lock for gold, having gone Cohen, who was fourth in one’s won over the last four that will leave all others in the undefeated over the four-year Beijing with Rob Waddell, years. shade. It’s all background cycle, and Drysdale, if there’s said expectations of others ‘‘There’s pressure being in chatter for a supremely any justice in this world, will simply doesn’t enter his mind. this situation, but it puts focused group of athletes. join them. Bookies have the ‘‘I’m so focused on the day- more pressure on the oppo- The New Zealand squad, single sculler co-favourite to-day processes and on sition. You’d rather be in our led by the majestic Mahe alongside Czech Ondrej making ourselves better, I position than be wondering Drysdale and their rock star Synek, but the big Kiwi will guess it’s why I’m so relaxed whether you have the speed.’’ pair of Hamish Bond and Eric be hard to topple if he’s going in. We know we have to Even Drysdale, who so Murray, understand they’ve anywhere near 100 per cent – get better, because if we’re the desperately needs gold to put the work in, that the which he clearly wasn’t in same as last year we probably endorse his five world cham- really difficult stuff is tucked Beijing when he had to settle won’t even be in the final. pionships, feels comfortable away and that it’s now time for bronze. ‘‘Our sport is incredibly in the big dog’s spot. when the toil gets rewarded. But others are also right in simple – it’s getting from ‘‘It’s a nice place to be. If So, as much as you want to the mix. The lightweight point A to point B as fast as you are the top dog everyone hear them using buzzwords double scull of Peter Taylor you can. You can’t control Class acts: Rebecca Scown, left, and Juliette Haigh were crowned world champions at Lake Karapiro in 2010. Photo: FAIRFAX NZ else has got to find a way to like ‘‘pumped’’ and ‘‘jazzed’’, and Storm Uru have had an what anyone else does, but if beat you. I just go out and try the truth is this squad impressive buildup and are you get from A to B as fast as season and won on the day.’’ pairs focus as something that out of our length, or a few so focused crossing the line, to race as hard and as fast as I possesses an inner-peace as the bookies’ favourites, ahead you can that’s all you can ask Haigh, who has overcome has become an ‘‘obsession’’. more seconds per 500 we didn’t even have that can. I know if I put it all the defining moment of British rivals Mark Hunter for. serious back problems to ‘‘We’re very focused on the [metres]. At the 2010 world feeling of emotion. It took a together on the day its going approaches. and Zac Purchase. ‘‘The old saying is the make her third Games small things, the technical champs [where they won gold few seconds to sink in. to be pretty tough to beat me.’’ At this late stage it’s about The double scull of Nathan medals are earned in the off appearance, describes her aspects, getting another inch on their home water] we were ‘‘It’s a massive challenge Fairfax NZ FOOTBALL Ferns need to reach quarters to make the grade THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF KNOWLEDGE Fred Woodcock appearance, which is the mini- enjoying the best period in their (NZ time). Individually, most of been about a two-thirds, one-third mum standard required for a pass history in terms of results, the squad play overseas pro- split in favour of the women over 24-part encyclopedia with your favourite Disney characters The Football Ferns must progress mark. including a breakthrough series’ fessionally, semi-professionally the men’s under-23 team. to the Olympic quarterfinals if ‘‘I think second round is what win against China last month and or are at college level. In 2007, That has enabled the Ferns to they are to receive a pass mark we’re really focusing on. We’ve several wins or draws against top- captain Rebecca Smith was the run a good programme heading from New Zealand Football HQ. got a pretty strong expectation 15 teams in the past two years. only paid player. into London, and is one reason for There is a strong belief among that they’ll get through (pool This year, they led world No 1 ‘‘We’ve given [coach] Tony the greater expectation placed on the players that they can chal- play),’’ he told Fairfax Media. United States into stoppage time [Readings] as much opportunity them. lenge the big guns, despite being ‘‘We’d like to get to the before a last-gasp 2-1 loss. as possible to try and get that Another is the tougher road ranked No 9 of the 12 teams at the quarterfinals and ideally we’d At last year’s World Cup, result,’’ McKavanagh said. the Oly Whites face. They must Let’s discover Olympics, and they will rightly like to get through that and which led to some players being During the Olympic cycle, NZF finish in the top two of their pool view anything less than a contend for medals. picked up by overseas clubs, they received $1.57 million from High to progress to the quarters, a quarterfinal showing as a disap- ‘‘We know, with the results led England 1-0 before losing 2-1. Performance Sport New Zealand. tricky assignment given they will the world pointment. we’ve had, the girls can beat the That England side makes up most About a third of that went have to get past Brazil, Egypt and The same goes for NZF chief best teams in the world. They of the Great Britain team the towards the All Whites’ World Belarus. A pass mark for the men, together! executive Grant McKavanagh, believe that too.’’ Kiwis will face in the tournament Cup campaign, but in terms of the in McKavanagh’s eyes, is picking who has high hopes of a last-eight The 23rd-ranked Ferns are opener in Cardiff next Thursday Olympic campaign, there has up points. Fairfax NZ MOTORSPORT Lotto winner to take off-road spin BOOK 20 The New Zealand Offroad ❏ Rally drivers and spectators ❏ Last week the local motor extend his lead in the champion- Endurance Racing Championship Benjamin will head up to the Autosport racing scene lost its long-time ship but – unlike his rivals – has THIS in Nelson this weekend has Makerikeri Sprint, which is voice, Dave Cook, after a short not previously raced at this WEEKEND attracted Trevor Cooper, winner Carrell round five of the interclub illness. Better known as Cookie, historic German circuit. of a recent $26 million Lotto prize. championship, on Sunday. he had been the commentator at ❏ Scott Dixon heads into the 11th Cooper, who will make his Run over 6.1km of gravel Ruapuna for more than 30 years. round of the IZOD IndyCar Series offroad racing debut in New Pitstop diary forestry road, drivers will face an He was also heard in the past in Edmonton, Canada, this Zealand, will drive the most undulating terrain on the decade at Wigram, when the weekend needing to pick up as LOOK FOR YOUR advanced Cougar single-seater Makerikeri Rd.