18 Dec 2008

Rowing twins win Lonsdale Cup

12:32 pm on 18 December 2008

Double Olympic rowing champions Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell have been award the Lonsdale Cup for 2008 by the New Zealand Olympic Committee.

The Lonsdale Cup is the NZOC's most prestigious award and goes to the athlete who has made the most outstanding contribution to an Olympic or Commonwealth Sport each year.

The New Zealand Olympic Committee selected the Evers-Swindells after an outstanding campaign at Beijing 2008 which saw them join a prestigious group of only six New Zealand athletes who have successfully defended an Olympic crown.

The sisters, who're about to enjoy their first summer holiday in 15 years, say they're honoured by the award... Georgina says it means a lot, especially when you think about who else could have received the Cup.

The Evers-Swindells were first awarded the Lonsdale Cup in 2003 after winning back to back world titles in 2002 and 2003.

Rowing powerhouse Rob Waddell is also a double recipient of the award, winning the Lonsdale in both 1998 and 2000. The full rowing squad took the Cup in 2005.

Murray Halberg was the first recipient of the Lonsdale Cup in 1961.

The award has been awarded annually since, most recently to gold medallist shot putter Valerie Vili who took the Lonsdale in both 2006 and 2007.