Scorching comeback by Waddell thrills crowd

IAIN McGREGOR/Waikato Times

ADVANTAGE: Rob Waddell edges ahead of Mahe Drysdale in their showdown on Lake Karapiro.

Relevant offers

The buzz among the packed crowd spoke volumes Rob Waddell was back.

The former Olympic gold medallist showed he's hungry for further glory when defeating three-times world champion Mahe Drysdale in a star-studded single sculls race at Lake Karapiro yesterday.

As Waddell crossed the finish line two lengths ahead of Drysdale in a sensational time of 6min 39.8secs only three seconds off Drysdale's world record the question circulating among the excited spectators was: "What happens next?"

Rowing New Zealand now has the welcome headache of how to find an Olympic berth for the world's best two single scullers for Beijing in August next year.

Waddell and Drysdale were politely non-committal about their personal battle afterward, while Rowing NZ high-performance manager Andrew Matheson said it was too early in the season for decisions. What's undeniable is that Waddell is eyeing what would be a stunning return to elite level after spending the past two America's Cup campaigns as a grinder with Team New Zealand.

"The urge to attend another Olympics has always been there," Waddell told the Waikato Times.

"I have very strong motivation to do it again. What else am I going to be this good at in life?"

While he acknowledged there was the option to be part of a crew to allow Drysdale to contest the single sculls, Waddell admitted rowing solo was his focus at present. "The single suits me for training and family time," said Waddell, who with wife Sonia has a seven-week-old daughter Madeleine along with Sophie, five, and Hayden, two.

Drysdale showed little concern over the defeat as he registered an outstanding time at this stage of his preparation. "There's no panic stations," Drysdale said.

- © Fairfax NZ News