Born: 1978 (Hastings, New Zealand)
Biography:
Georgina Emma Buchanan Earl ONZM, formerly known as Georgina Evers-Swindell, was born on October 10, 1978, in Hastings, New Zealand. She is a retired New Zealand rower who garnered international acclaim for her remarkable achievements in the sport. Georgina, alongside her identical twin sister Caroline Evers-Swindell, dominated the world of rowing and became synonymous with excellence.
Throughout her illustrious career, Georgina showcased remarkable skill and determination. In 2001, she won silver at the World Championships in both the double and quadruple sculls categories, setting the stage for her future successes. The following years would see Georgina and Caroline shine on the international stage, securing gold medals at both the 2002 and 2003 World Rowing Championships in the double sculls.
Georgina’s prowess extended beyond world championships. In 2002, she achieved a significant milestone by breaking the indoor 2000m rowing world record. With an astonishing time of 6 minutes and 28.5 seconds, she surpassed the previous record by 2.1 seconds, solidifying her place as one of the sport’s most exceptional athletes.
The year 2004 marked a historic moment in Georgina’s career as she claimed her first Olympic gold medal at the Athens Games. Together with Caroline, she emerged victorious in the women’s double sculls, etching their names in the annals of sporting history. Their triumph continued in 2008 at the Beijing Olympics, where they once again captured gold, this time in a nail-biting finish, defeating the German double by a mere 1/100 of a second. Georgina and Caroline’s back-to-back gold medal wins in the women’s double sculls were unprecedented and a testament to their unmatched talent and dedication.
Recognized for her exceptional contributions to rowing, Georgina was named the Rowing Female Crew of the Year by the International Rowing Federation (FISA) in November 2005. In 2016, she and her sister achieved another milestone by becoming the first New Zealanders to receive the federation’s highest honor, the Thomas Keller Medal.
Georgina’s illustrious career and achievements were acknowledged with the award of Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2005 New Year Honours, in recognition of her services to rowing. Her impact on the sport extended beyond accolades and medals; she inspired a new generation of athletes and played a vital role in raising the profile of rowing in New Zealand.
In October 2008, Georgina and Caroline announced their retirement from rowing, leaving a legacy that would inspire future athletes for years to come. Their outstanding contributions to the sport were acknowledged when they were awarded the Lonsdale Cup by the New Zealand Olympic Committee multiple times, recognizing their exceptional dedication and impact on Olympic rowing.
Outside of her rowing career, Georgina embarked on a new chapter in her personal life. In January 2009, she married Sam Earl, himself a former New Zealand rower and the son of Olympic gold medalist rower Joe Earl. Since then, she has adopted the name Georgina Earl.
Today, Georgina Evers-Swindell, or Georgina Earl, resides in Napier, New Zealand, where her legacy as a sporting icon continues. She remains involved in the world of sports as a member of the Sports Tribunal of New Zealand, utilizing her expertise and experience to contribute to the development of athletics.
Awards:
– Olympic Gold Medalist: Athens 2004, Beijing 2008
– Medal of the New Zealand Order of Merit: 2005
– Rowing Female Crew of the Year: 2005, International Rowing Federation (FISA)
– Thomas Keller Medal: 2016