A golden day for the New Zealand women's eight

They've claimed world championship gold in Austria, winning the final courtesy of a late surge.

But the men's eight's Olympic hopes are hanging by a thread.

The crew, featuring Hamish Bond and Mahe Drysdale with four Olympic gold medals between them, has finished sixth and last in the final.

The top five in the final secured Olympic qualification, with just two spots left at a last-chance qualifier next year.

Bond says they had one major objective - not to finish last - and that's what they did.



The women's double has also won gold.