Drysdale beats Waddell at local rowing regatta

The drama for the men’s single spot at the Beijing Olympics continued in New Zealand with Mahe Drysdale beating Rob Waddell for the first time.

Three-time World Champion Drysdale had been defeated twice by the recently returned 2000 Olympic Champion Rob Waddell during local rowing regattas. At this weekend’s North Island Rowing Championships Drysdale reversed the trend.

Drysdale and Waddell have been mixing up their race plans as the two tactical opponents aim to beat each other. In the final of the North Island Championships Drysdale attacked first taking the lead around the 600m mark. Waddell held on to Drysdale’s attack with the two scullers moving away from the rest of the field.

The last time Waddell and Drysdale met a week ago, Waddell managed to win by pushing past Drysdale with a powerful piece just before the 1500m mark. This time Waddell left his push until later. Drysdale was prepared and responded. Waddell fought back, but Drysdale retained the lead finishing just under a second ahead of Waddell.

The world class final also included Nathan Cohen, World Under 23 medallist and Olympic qualifier in the men’s double. Peter Taylor, World Under 23 Champion in the lightweight men’s double (2006). Current World Under 23 Champion in the lightweight men’s single, Storm Uru. Men’s double Olympic qualifier, Matthew Trott.

The depth of talent in this men’s single race can only be described as astounding at regional event. Not even making it into the final six was current World Champion in the lightweight men’s single, Duncan Grant as well as current World Under 23 Champion in the men’s single, Joseph Sullivan.

At the same regatta a shock result in the men’s pair had former World Champions and current silver medallists, Nathan Twaddell and George Bridgewater beaten by the stern pair of the World Champion men’s four, Eric Murray and Hamish Bond. Murray and Bond won by nearly five seconds.

The men’s double was won by Olympic qualifiers Matthew Trott and Nathan Cohen with lightweight rowers Storm Uru and Duncan Grant coming in second ahead of last year’s chosen lightweight double combination Graham Oberlin-Brown and Peter Taylor.

These athletes will meet again in the third week of February at the New Zealand National Championships.

Results:
Men’s single
1st Mahe Drysdale 7:11.44
2nd Rob Waddell 7:12.32
3rd Nathan Cohen 7:21.06
4th Peter Taylor 7:27.37
5th Storm Uru 7:39.29
6th Matthew Trott 7:41.16

Men’s double
1st Matthew Trott, Nathan Cohen 6:19.92
2nd Storm Uru Duncan Grant 6:22.62
3rd Graham Oberlin-Brown, Peter Taylor 6:23.44

Men’s pair
1st Eric Murray, Hamish Bond 6:22.28
2nd Nathan Twaddle, George Bridgewater 6:27.00
3rd Carl Meyer, James Dallinger 6:33.76

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