Intense rivalry rekindles Waddell's fire

A lift in ability and intensity among New Zealand rowers has sparked Rob Waddell's competitive fire since his return to the sport.

Waddell defeated three-times world champion Mahe Drysdale and a top-class field of single scullers at the KR1 regatta at Lake Karapiro yesterday and said afterwards that competition for places and training had spurred him on.

"The biggest thing is how the intensity has lifted and that was reflected in the race there's some very good athletes out there," Waddell said.

"The intensity is there, every day out on the water when you're training, with and against the other rowers.

"Look at that field today, too Nathan Cohen could make an Olympic final in this event."

His vanquished foe shared the same thoughts.

"I don't think there's another country in the world that can put out that classy a field of scullers," Drysdale said.

Waddell produced an outstanding time of 6m 38:98s for the 2000m in finishing two lengths ahead of Drysdale, who recorded 6m 43:05s. Cohen was next home ahead of Storm Uru, Eric Murray and Matthew Trott.

The result leaves Rowing New Zealand in a bountiful, if delicate, situation who will grab the single sculls berth for Beijing?

Waddell and Drysdale both danced around the subject after yesterday's race.

"I'm only doing what I can do I just want to scull well and keep training well," Waddell said. "I want to get through to March, then it's up to the selectors.

"There's boats there, there's a lot of options the rest is up to the selectors. But the motivation is very strong."

Rowing New Zealand high performance manager Andrew Matheson said the early season event was not likely to weigh heavily in selection matters.

"They're at different places in their own training," Matheson said. "Mahe's been doing long distance racing in North America and Europe, so he's still getting into the groove of racing 2km.

"All the athletes are working away at their base training, there's been almost no speed work. It's still early in the process, there's selection guidelines and a series of milestones throughout the summer. Certainly we have to maximise all the talent but we're letting the process take care of itself.

"There'll be some discussions no doubt closer to the trials, but the selectors are available to all our rowers to talk to."

RNZ have already qualified seven boats for Beijing men's single sculls, double, pair and coxless four and women's single sculls, double and pairs. But there's the opportunity for further crews to earn places.

A special qualifying regatta in June in Poland with up to three spots available in each category will likely see RNZ enter crews chasing Olympic spots.

Drysdale, 29, was pleased with his performance at an early stage of his preparation for the national trials in March. "I'm very comfortable with that I'm a long way ahead of what I've been in the last few years," he said.

"I never like to lose but you've got to take the losses and learn from them. I tried to go with him but it's the end of a hard week for all of us."

- © Fairfax NZ News