Mahe Drysdale (left) struggles with his boat in high wind at Lake Karapiro yesterday. Photo / Sarah Ivey
After yesterday's false start, Rowing New Zealand hopes to wrap up the single sculls selection trial today but says it is willing to wait as long as it takes to get favourable conditions for the crucial race.
With more media than rowers assembled along the banks at Lake
Karapiro, the interest surrounding the selection battle between Mahe Drysdale and Rob Waddell has reached fever pitch.
But the weather did not play ball, with a ferocious tailwind whipping up the lake's waters and forcing the postponement of the third and final race to prolong the tension.
And Rowing NZ is prepared to drag it out even further if it means covering its hind.
With Olympic dreams on the line, the national body wants to ensure the conditions are fair to both rowers so neither can dispute the trial process.
Spokesman Richard Gee said Rowing NZ was relaxed about completing the trial process as - unlike the Olympics or a world championships - there was not a set schedule to adhere to.
"You'd have that pressure if it was the Olympics or worlds but this will begin again and conclude when it begins again and concludes," he said.
"The most important thing is to get the job done correctly for the athletes."
Rowing NZ is due to announce its Games squad for Beijing on Friday, although that announcement at Lake Karapiro is now weather dependent.
