Bond ahead of Drysdale at Christmas Regatta

Heading the bill of racing was the men's single sculls which had World and Olympic Champions from the men's pair, Hamish Bond and Eric Murray racing in singles against Olympic Champion in the single, Mahe Drysdale.

These three rowers won their respective heats and then lined up against each other in the final with Bond finishing not only first but a handy five seconds ahead of Drysdale in second with Murray in third. Robert Manson (from the men's double sculls) was fourth. Bond and Murray have been training in singles recently and will move back into the pair next year for the 2014 international season.

After the race Drysdale said he was pleased with his effort for this time of the season while Bond said that being ahead of Drysdale definitely gave him a sense of achievement and indicated that his training was going well.
The women's single sculls was dominated by lightweight rowers with lightweight double sculls Olympian Lucy Strack finishing easily in front. Her doubles partner, Julia Edward was third with Genevieve Behrent, from the 2013 New Zealand women's eight, in second.

New Zealand's top single sculler, Emma Twigg did not race the single but teamed up with Strack to race in the women's double sculls. Twigg and Strack finished first ahead of this year's World Championship silver medallist, Zoe Stevenson who raced with Sarah Gray. Stevenson's silver medal partner, Fiona Bourke finished third, just a fraction back with her partner Kerri Gowler.

The Manson brothers, Karl and Robert had an easy win in the men's double sculls. On the comeback trail, Olympic Champion, Joseph Sullivan was third. Sullivan raced with Giacomo Thomas who was second this year in the under-23 men's quadruple sculls. Hamish Cohen and Fergus Fauvel from this year's national team men's quadruple sculls, were second.

The men's pair was dominated by the 2013 silver medal lightweight men's four. Peter Taylor was partnered with James Hunter to narrowly beat their lightweight teammates Curtis Rabley and James Lassche. In third place, from the gold medal under-23 men's eight, was Alex Kennedy and Thomas Murray. World bronze medallists in the women's pair, Rebecca Scown and Kayla Pratt showed that they were the top crew to beat by easily winning the pair.

For results: http://rowingnz.com/events/regattas/