Στ΄αυτία του ρίξε ο Drysdale....

στο τελικό του σκίφ στο πρωτάθλημα Νεας Ζηλανδίας, Mahe έριξε 5 δευτερόλεπτα στον Waddell.
"Χαλάρωσα και το σκάφος ξαφνικά τον προσπέρασε " δήλωσε ο Νικητής.

23/02/2009

The middle of the South Island of New Zealand is a long way from anywhere, but this past weekend it was alive and buzzing with the anticipation of top single scullers Mahe Drysdale and Rob Waddell racing each other for the first time this year.

The men’s single final at the New Zealand Rowing Championships went Drysdale’s way in a race that opened with Waddell’s Olympic doubles partner, Nathan Cohen leading at the start. Then Waddell took over at the front through the middle of the Lake Ruataniwha course before Drysdale found the lead.

“I relaxed and suddenly my boat took off passing him (Waddell) shortly after the 1000m and opening up a five second gap between there and the finish. I won in a time of 6:47 which is very fast for Twizel [Lake Ruataniwha regatta course],” said Drysdale who raced in near perfect conditions.

Drysdale regained the men’s single title which was won last year by Waddell. Both Drysdale and Waddell have publicly stated that the single is the boat they want to compete in at this year’s World Rowing Championships. With just one position per country allowed in each championship event, New Zealand selectors will have to choose. Selection trials begin next week with the New Zealand team being announced on 6 March. There is potential for selectors to send both single scullers to the Rowing World Cup events and use these races as the decider for who will race at the World Rowing Championships.

Men’s single results
1 Mahe Drysdale 6:47.32
2 Rob Waddell 6:52.65
3 Peter Taylor 7:00.58
4 Joseph Sullivan 7:10.74
5 Nathan Cohen 7:31.06
6 Storm Uru 7:34.36

While Drysdale and Waddell chose to focus on the single, Cohen raced in other events at the regatta. Cohen, with partner Matthew Trott, won the men’s double. This race was touted as a showdown between Cohen and Trott and Beijing Olympic lightweight double scullers, Peter Taylor and Storm Uru. But a boat stopping crab by Uru in the choppy water put Taylor and Uru out of contention. Taylor and Uru went on to easily win the lightweight men’s double. Joseph Sullivan also raced in other events.

A fast time was registered by Hamish Bond and Jade Uru in the men’s double. Bond raced in the men’s four at the Beijing Olympics and his Olympic teammate Eric Murray took second behind Bond. Murray raced with under 23-rower Simon Watson.

Olympic single sculler Emma Twigg easily won the women’s single and will go to trials with little competition for her spot. Twigg also won the women’s double, pairing up with Tamsin Gilbert. Candice Hammond won the lightweight women’s single over Louise Ayling. The two then paired up to win the lightweight double.