The Evers-Swindell Sisters take the 2005 FISA Female Crew of the Year Award for Rowing

The Evers-Swindell sisters in Gifu, Japan this year

After head coach Richard Tonks, the International Rowing Federation (FISA) has awarded a second 2005 FISA award to New Zealand with Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell winning the FISA Rowing Female Crew of the Year.

The Evers-Swindell sisters gained the top spot in the women's double in 2002 and have remained there ever since. The duo won their first World Championship gold in the women's double in 2002 and, at the same time, established themselves as new World Best time holders in 6:38.78, a time that still stands today. A year later they were awarded the FISA Female Crew of the Year for 2003 following their second World Rowing Championship gold medals. In between these World Championship golds, Caroline and Georgina won their first Olympic gold medal last year at Athens.

They continued an unbroken winning streak in the double through to this year until suffering a photo-finish defeat at the Lucerne BearingPoint Rowing World Cup. In a close-fought final the duo were piped for first place at the line. Caroline and Georgina recovered and then came back to win comfortably in the final at this year's World Rowing Championships.

In addition to being successful in the double, the identical twins are also accomplished individually. This sibling rivalry has also helped Georgina become the fastest woman in the world on the indoor rowing machine. She currently holds the World Record for women over the simulated 2'000 meter ergometer distance. Their outstanding results have helped establish a renaissance in rowing in New Zealand.

The medal will be presented at the Gala Dinner of the 2005 World Rowing Forum in Istanbul, Turkey on Saturday 5 November, 2005.

For complete biographical information and results on Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell, visit FISA's athlete biography and results website at www.rowingone.com.