KEY POINTS:
Mahe Drysdale drew first blood when he beat Rob Waddell this morning in the first of three races to decide who fills the hotly disputed Olympic singles sculls berth at Beijing later this year.
Defending world champion Drysdale defeated 2000 Olympic gold medallist Waddell, who has returned to rowing after two America's Cup yachting campaigns with Team New Zealand, by about a boat length on Lake Karapiro.
The next races (if two are needed) are expected to be held in the next 48 hours with the Olympic team to be announced on Friday.
- NZPA
