KEY POINTS:
Three-time world champion Mahe Drysdale will square off with 2000 Olympic champion Rob Waddell in a highly-anticipated single sculls showdown on Lake Karapiro this weekend.
Two of New Zealand's greatest rowers will face each other for the first time in the annual KRI 1 regatta, a pre-season event that usually attracts little interest.
Drysdale was doing his best to play down the duel but admitted he was curious to find out about the progress of Waddell, who has returned to the sport.
"This regatta we'll get a good gauge of where he's sitting," Drysdale told Radio Sport.
"There's definitely a lot of interest in this weekend but from our perspective it's another regatta.
"We're on our programme for Beijing and this is one of those weekends where you go out and have a bit of fun. We want to enjoy it."
Waddell, 32, hasn't raced since his Sydney Olympics triumph seven years ago, having been employed by the America's Cup yachting crew of Team New Zealand as a grinder.
He has reputedly shed 20kg in the past six months and clocked some sharp times on the indoor rowing machine.
In contrast, Drysdale has had a light workload since claiming a third consecutive world title at Munich in August.
"My goal is Beijing and my whole programme is focused on that," Drysdale said.
"We haven't really prepared for this regatta.
"It's just take it as it comes and it's exciting to be racing Rob for the first time."
The pair have only spoken once, several months ago when Waddell decided on a comeback.
Drysdale had no idea whether Waddell had designs on a return to the single sculls or whether he was targetting another boat if he is serious about returning to the highest level.
Waddell himself has kept a very low profile.
"Some of the boys have had a few training sessions with him and say he's going fairly well," Drysdale said.
"This is really the first guide we'll get and as the season goes on we'll see how it all plays out.
"He hasn't raced in seven-odd years so he probably doesn't have too much idea where he's sitting."
The first major regatta of the pre-Olympic season will feature most of New Zealand's premier rowers although the world champion coxless four will be without stroke Hamish Bond, recovering from a shoulder injury.
Heats are on Saturday and finals on Sunday.
Rowing New Zealand high performance manager Andrew Matheson hoped the regatta would create public interest even though it didn't rate highly for the Olympic selectors this early in the season.
"Final [Olympic] selection is a long way off," he said.
"The selectors will review all results this weekend but results and times here may have little bearing on the final selections or ultimately the pace our best athletes will achieve later on."
New Zealand has qualified seven boats for the Olympics but the individual rowers have to earn selection.
- NZPA
