Dubbed the "oarsome foursome", the 2007 world championship crew of Hamish Bond, Carl Meyer, Eric Murray and James Dallinger have probably rowed their last race together, Bond said yesterday.
Bond, who is in Dunedin for the University of Otago Blues awards tonight and a function at the University of Otago rowing club last night, told the Otago Daily Times the crew's time had come to an end.
When asked if the crew had rowed its last race together, Bond responded "I think so. I think everyone is looking for a bit of a change."
The four claimed glory in Munich, Germany, when they won the world title last year, but were disappointing at the Beijing Olympics, finishing seventh.
That disappointment was still fresh for Bond.
"I guess it was just a combination of a whole lot of small things in the end. We just didn't quite get back to where we were last year, which was unfortunate. You couldn't really put your finger on any one thing."
Bond said the crew felt like they were in superb physical shape but had a few technical issues which cost them valuable seconds.
"We had identified issues with how we were going when we were in Europe and not going that well.
"We chased our tails trying to fix things but once you're at that level, and the racing is so close, it is just the small percentages that make the difference. That's what it came down to."
Meyer has opted to take a break from rowing to regenerate after the failed Olympic campaign and Bond revealed he was planning a shift to the single sculls.
After years of building up one side of his body he is keen to do some sculling.
"I'm a bit twisted and not quite developed on one side and would like to do a bit of sculling to try and even things up."
Ultimately, Bond sees his future in a smaller boat.
"There is no worrying about crew dynamics or anything like that. It is just you moving the boat, so if you are out training with other people and they are going faster there is only one reason you're getting left behind."
