Gold for Waddell

Genial giant Rob Waddell won the gold that set New Zealand's Sydney Olympic campaign alight this morning.

As expected his single sculls final turned out to be duel between him and defending champion Xeno Mueller, of Switzerland.

Mueller, with gritted teeth, kept a slither ahead of Waddell at the halfway and 1500m marks, but then the Cambridge sculler turned on the gas and Mueller had none left to respond.

Waddell won in 6 minutes 48.90 seconds, 1.6sec ahead of his great rival who held out German Marcel Hacker for third.

New Zealand, with just Mark Todd's bronze medal in eventing to show for a muted Games performance to date, had banked on Waddell to win a gold medal and he did not let anyone down.

Just as Waddell was not among the medals in his first Olympic final -- at Atlanta four years ago -- his wife Sonia missed out today.

She was sixth in a final where first and second places took an eternity to determine after a photo finish. Ekaterina Karsten got the gold ahead of pacemaker Rumyana Neykova of Bulgaria.

Waddell said he didn't feel the pressure on an expectant nation on his shoulders before the race: ``You've got to put it out of your mind.

``I wanted to win that race because I knew how fast I could go - a very close second to that is doing it for New Zealand.''

Waddell displayed a rare show of emotion when he crossed the finish line punching the air and shouting with relief.

``I don't usually show a lot but I figure this time it was OK.''

After the medal ceremony Waddell was reunited with his overjoyed parents Jim, Sue and Sonia.

The first thing Rob did was put the medal on his father who was simply relieved the wait was over: ``It's been a worrying week, every day you wake up with the same feeling but tomorrow we'll wake up fine,'' Jim Waddell said.

Sonia caught the final stages of the race on television after clearing the water after her final.

The disappointment of finishing sixth was soon only a memory.

``I feel great for Rob, he's tried really hard and he deserves `it,'' she said.

New Zealand Rowing planned a cocktail function for the team later today. Then the Waddell's intended to start ``enjoying the Games'' planning to check out several other sports.

There was a strong contingent of New Zealand supporters at the lake, including triathlete Hamish Carter.

- NZPA