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KEY POINTS:
Mahe Drysdale left no doubts to his intentions as he stormed into the premier men's single sculls final at the national rowing championship on Lake Ruataniwha near Twizel today.
The Olympic Games bronze medallist posted a time almost six seconds faster than Rob Waddell, his main competition for the singles seat in the New Zealand team to compete on the international circuit this year.
Drysdale came home looking strong and in control in the first heat in a time of seven minutes three seconds.
He was chased home by two-time world junior champion Joseph Sullivan, who had held off Drysdale until the halfway point before the triple world champion made his move.
Next were Storm Uru, a two-time under-23 lightweight world champion, and current lightweight world champion Duncan Grant.
Grant and current under-23 world champion in the lightweight single, Graham Oberlin-Brown, failed to make the final in a hugely competitive field, but will race at their ideal weight in the lightweight single event.
Waddell, the current titleholder, dominated the second heat.
Nathan Cohen, returning to form after injury, was a couple of lengths back while lightweight Peter Taylor, was third to claim the last place in the final.
Waddell's time was almost 6sec slower than Drysdale's in almost identical conditions, although this is more likely to be reflection of differing race strategies rather than out-and-out speed.
The final is on Saturday.
- NZPA
