Rowing: Drysdale kicks off world champs for NZ

Single sculler Mahe Drysdale opens New Zealand's world rowing championships campaign in Japan later today on calm Gifu waters after the predicted typhoon failed to materialise.

Originally rescheduled for Tuesday, organisers shifted the championships back to today when the weather in Japan remained calm.

All five New Zealand crews are in action in day one heats after their preparation got back on track at the weekend.

On Friday the boat park quickly emptied as all the teams de-rigged their boats to store in containers and local buildings.

Tents were dismantled, grandstand roofs removed and everything secured for the battering from Typhoon Mawar.

"This morning we awoke to a very pleasant morning and headed down to course to be greeted by a bit of wind and some of the best water we have seen in the last week," Drysdale said on the Rowing New Zealand website.

"Due to the anticipated arrival of the typhoon we were all on the ergs (indoor rowing machines) and wondering why we weren't on the water.

"We were told the typhoon had tracked further north and so we only got the edge of it which to tell the truth was pretty normal weather and after all the preparation almost a disappointment."

Drysdale's heat will be followed by women's coxless pair Juliette Haigh and Nicky Coles; men's coxless pair George Bridgewater and Nathan Twaddle; Olympic champion double scullers Georgina and Caroline Evers-Swindell and men's coxless four Steven Cottle, Donald Leach, Carl Meyer and Eric Murray.

- NZPA