Nicola Coles

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Nicola started her international rowing career in the women’s eight, but her first international medal was in the coxless four at the Munich World Rowing Cup in 2001.

Nicola paired with Juliette Haigh in the coxless pairs in 2003.  They made their Olympic debut in 2004, competing in the coxless pairs at the Athens Olympic Games.

In 2005, Nicola and Juliette continued to make a splash on the rowing scene, winning the women’s coxless pair event at the 2005 World Rowing Championships in Gifu, Japan.  Nicola and Juliette were one of four New Zealand teams to win Gold at these championships. All four finals took place within one hour, making it one of New Zealand’s most successful hours in rowing.  That same year, Nicola and Juliette were ‘Team of the Year’ finalists at the Halberg Awards, which recognise outstanding achievements by New Zealand athletes.

The pair went on to come second at the 2006 World Championships in Eton, Great Britain.  In 2007, they came first at the World Rowing Cup.  As world champions, Nicola and Juliette qualified for their second Olympic Games together, the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games where they finished 5th.