Rowing: Back injury strains world title preparation

Mahe Drysdale's training is being restricted by a back injury. Photo / Dean Purcell

Mahe Drysdale will miss the Munich World Cup and possibly the Henley Royal Regatta because of his back complaint - leaving him little time to prepare for his world championship title defence in November.

New Zealand's most successful incumbent oarsman, with four world championships and an Olympic bronze medal, realised at the national trials in March he had an inflammed disc in his lower spine. An MRI scan revealed the problem after a rowing machine test.

Drysdale visited a specialist on Wednesday to reassess the problem. He has taken plenty of time out of the boat since March and is still training at only 50 per cent capacity.

"It was good to get another opinion," Drysdale says. "My back would have no problem if I was a normal person but, because of the strain I put on it in training, it is not responding as required. Time is the only healer.

"The disc has become a bit worn with a slight bulge and tear in it but it was reassuring for the specialist to look at my scan and say my back looks amazing for what I put it through. He said you'd expect worse for someone doing what I do."

The 31-year-old's core focus is to win another world title but that means making sacrifices.

"I've got to forget about Munich now and look to Lucerne [another World Cup venue]. If it takes three to four weeks to get me back to normal training from here, then I might have to axe Henley as well. It's really just a patience issue."

Dropping Henley (June 30-July 4) from the programme is likely to irk Drysdale. He has been one of the key advocates of New Zealand crews attending the regatta to break up what can be a tedious three-month international tour.

Drysdale has also won the prestigious Diamond Challenge single sculls at the event in 2006 and 2009.

"I need to build into the season more gradually. My personality means I'm used to pushing myself hard and that's not a good attribute to have in these circumstances. I haven't helped myself by pushing too early."

Seven New Zealand athletes compete at the opening World Cup in Slovenia this weekend. The rest of the New Zealand team leaves on June 11 to contest World Cups in Munich (June 18-20) and Lucerne (July 9-11).