Rowing: Drysdale leads charge

New Zealand single sculler Mahe Drysdale (front) was never in danger as he waged a tough battle with Czech oarsman Ondrej Synek (top) in his semifinal, eventually easing off to finish second. Picture / Reuters

Mahe Drysdale spearheaded another day to savour for New Zealand's resurgent squad at the world championships in Gifu, Japan, yesterday.

Drysdale flew into the single sculls final, and with coxless pair Nathan Twaddle and George Bridgewater, and the coxless four following suit, New Zealand will line up in five finals tomorrow.

That mirrors the effort at the Athens Olympics last year and re-emphasises the sport is in strong shape.

Olympic gold medallists Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell took route one into their final by winning their heat of the women's double scull at the start of the week, as did coxless pair Nicky Coles and Juliette Haigh.

Drysdale was never in danger as he waged a mano-a-mano with tough Czech Republic oarsman Ondrej Synek, as the rest of the field disappeared out the back.

Drysdale went through the 1000m mark in 3m 12s, led through 1500m, but eased back near the finish, Synek winning by 0.88s in 6m 31.88s.

"It went very well," Drysdale told the Herald last night.

"I've achieved my goal, and with the four and pair joining the women, it's a great day."

He knew he was safe from the 500m mark on the 2000m course, which had a tailwind and has yielded world records during the week.

The final will be Drysdale's biggest challenge.

The field includes Olympic champion Olaf Tufte, of Norway, who won the other semifinal in a swift 6m 29.65s, tough German Marcel Hacker and Belgian Tim Mayens.

Still, Drysdale has won two World Cup silvers on his European campaign, in Munich and Lucerne, and he knows he belongs in the highest company.

"I came with one goal, to break into the top six. The results in Europe gave me good heart and I know I've got a chance to be in the medals.

"I know I can do it, but no one's going to give it to you," he added.

Twaddle and Bridgewater won their semifinal in a national record time of 6m 16.16s, while the coxless four of Donald Leach, Carl Meyer, Eric Murray and Steven Cottle were third in their semifinal.

They were the only New Zealand crew who had to advance through the repechage, and it was tight for a time as they trailed the Netherlands and United States home.

With the first three qualifying for the final, New Zealand nudged out Australia, finishing in 5m 50.62 - 2.32s ahead of Australia.

Twaddle and Bridgewater continued their stunning form this year and had established a three-length boat lead by the 1000m mark. The pair eased off over the final 350m, but still broke the national record.

Italians Luca Agamennoni and Dario Lari were second in 6m 18.93s. They clocked a faster heat time than the New Zealanders and, with South Africans Ramon Di Clemente and Donovan Cech, who won the other semifinal in a sizzling 6m 14.50s, shape as their strongest rivals.