Rowing's world governing body FISA has conceded the sport is tired of New Zealand rowing winning so often.
No New Zealand-based coaches or athletes have been included in the finalists of the sport's annual World Rowing Awards despite Rowing New Zealand making five nominations.
New Zealand won five gold medals at the recent world championships in France with Hamish Bond and Eric Murray continuing their unbeaten run in the pair and claiming their sixth world title.
Hamish Bond and Eric Murray enjoy another win at the 2015 World Cup event in Lucerne. Photo: Photosport
Last year Rowing NZ had two award winners.
Bond and Murray won male crew of the year for the second consecutive year and world champion single sculler Emma Twigg won the Female Crew of the Year title.
I guess it's not a bad problem to have! #MakeTheWorldFearTheBlackSinglet #GoTallPoppies @RNZSport @kiwipair @RowingNZ @nzolympics @SportNZ
— Mahe Drysdale (@MaheDrysdale) October 22, 2015
On Morning Report FISA's executive director Matt Smith said there were other worthy candidates and intially denied it was time for other winners but then went on to say "people are a little bit tired of seeing black (singlets) and Rugby World Cup colours (in reference to the All Blacks) and maybe some other crews merited a mention at these awards."
Matt Smith, Executive-Director of the rowing's world governing body FISA. Photo: Supplied
"With great, great respect to for Bond and Murray... the performance of the Kiwis in Aiguebelette in our world chapionships was outstanding, but I think people were interested in recognising some other outstanding performances," he said.
Smith said nominations for the awards can be made by the public but the finalists are decided by its 23-member rowing council, with the finalists decided by the organisation's seven member executive committee.
One New Zealander has been nominated for an award - coach Ian Wright, who is now based in Switzerland and took the Swiss lightweight men's four to gold at the world champs.
The winners will be announced next month in Florida.
