KEY POINTS:
Triple world single sculls champion Mahe Drysdale says Rowing New Zealand's lack of selection clarity threatens to jeopardise an Olympic Games medal.
Drysdale is losing patience with the national body, which is yet to outline the selection process for the Beijing Games in August, or what crew combinations are being considered.
He fears the singles seat will come down to a one-on-one showdown with former Olympian Rob Waddell at the national trials in March, something that could throw the season of both world-class rowers into turmoil.
"It's like selecting the All Blacks after the first three rounds of the Super 14 and then having to run with that later in September," Drysdale told Radio Sport.
"You don't take into account what happens between now and then.
"You don't want to change anything in Olympic year but they've really forced our hands by doing that. We're going into territory that we don't really know."
Sydney 2000 Olympic champion Waddell made a stunning return to the sport late last year after several years working as a grinder for Team New Zealand's America's Cup yachting crew.
He beat Drysdale by two lengths at a much-hyped early-season regatta last month.
The pair race this weekend at the Cambridge Town Cup regatta on Lake Karapiro.
- NZPA
