Georgina Evers-Swindell

Georgina Evers-Swindell and her twin sister [Caroline] were among the most dominant scullers in the first decade of the 21st century, winning world titles and becoming the first women’s double scull pairing to successfully defend an Olympic title. They first made their marks in 2001 when they won silver medals in the double and quadruple sculls at the World Championships in Lucerne. They won the double sculls title at the following two World Championships, in Seville and Milan, and added the Olympic title in 2004. In 2005, they again won the world title and were named Rowing Female Crew of the Year by FISA, the international rowing federation. They were second at the 2007 World Championships in München but retained their Olympic title the following year. The twins announced their retirement late in 2008. In January 2009, Georgina married Sam Earl, himself a New Zealand rower and son of Athol “Joe” Earl, a member of the winning eight at the Olympic Games in München in 1972.