Rowing NZ head into unique territory tonight as their campaign to qualify all 14 Olympic-class boats begins at the world championships in Aiguebelette, France.

Mahe Drysdale is buzzing ahead of the world championships, starting in France tomorrow night.

Emma Twigg won her maiden title last August in an unbeaten season. Then, in a shock move for an athlete at the zenith of her career, she put working aspirations ahead of sporting ambitions.

The tinge of excitement remains intact for Mahe Drysdale as he ponders a fourth Olympic Games in Rio.

New Zealand rowers have their first shot at Olympic qualification next month - and things are looking bright.

The steps towards world domination continue for Rowing New Zealand.

Rowers Grace Prendergast and Kerri Gowler picked up New Zealand's first medal in the Olympic class boats at the World Cup in Lucerne and the pair are eager to push further.

For taxpayers who value sporting pride as much as business profit, Rowing New Zealand's achievements in the past decade have delivered a spectacular return on investment.

Issues with sewage, garbage and algae contamination have plagued Rio de Janeiro's waterways and will be an added challenge for Kiwi athletes.

The coach of the St Bede’s rowers who were initially barred from the Maadi Cup claims one of the boys was snubbed by Rowing NZ because they did not want further media attention.

The New Zealanders collected six medals at the Varese regatta in Italy early yesterday, including four gold, and that without the golden bankers.

Zoe Stevenson is in a club of three at this weekend's World Cup regatta in Italy.

Both North and South Island Secondary School Champs are streaming live.

George Bridgewater has completed the maiden step towards the Olympics with selection in this season's national quadruple sculls crew alongside John Storey, Jade Uru and Karl Manson.

Other eights have tried, but come up short; this time with extra funding in place, Rowing New Zealand, tied in with their ambition to be present on the start line in Rio next year in all 14 disciplines, are adopting a no-stone-unturned approach.

Dealing with Brazilian real estate companies and literally testing the waters are among steps being taken by Rowing New Zealand to achieve their Olympic ambitions next year in Rio de Janeiro.

Call it the Evers-Swindell legacy. New Zealand's rowers embark on their international campaign next month with the women's arm of the sport at its strongest.

New Zealand's youthful men's rowing eight will have an early test of their potential in Seattle next week.

The significance of the O'Connors' success is not so much in their victory. The pair exemplify how education and sport can still intertwine.