Rowing: Drysdale's big engine helps propel pair to win

Peter Taylor (left) and Mahe Drysdale in action in the men's premier double sculls. Photo / Christine Cornege

Last year, Peter Taylor won the world lightweight double scull title with Storm Uru.

Yesterday, representing Auckland, he had substantially larger company sitting in a double with four-time world single scull champion Mahe Drysdale on the opening day of the national championships at Lake Karapiro.

They raised eyebrows by winning their heat in a sharp 6m 14.22s, 1.46s ahead of New Zealand's leading double combination, Nathan Cohen and Matthew Trott, who finished fourth at last year's world championships.

So the difference between teaming up with Uru and Drysdale?

"I'd pretty much say Mahe's got a bigger engine," Taylor quipped yesterday. "There was plenty of horsepower behind me."

It was just the fourth time the two had sat in a double together. The win, and the performance, suggests they'll be tough to topple in Friday's premier class final.

"We had no real idea how fast we were so it was a pleasant surprise. Then again, we've still got a lot to improve on and there is more speed to come," Taylor said.

German world champions Eric Knittel and Stephan Krueger won the other heat in a comfortable 6m 29.33s, 9s ahead of well-credentialled former world under-23 champions Joseph Sullivan and Robbie Manson of Central to set up a quality final showdown.

Taylor followed up by edging out Uru in the lightweight single heats at a regatta in which rowers represent their regions.

World champion coxless pair Hamish Bond and Eric Murray were split up to race for their regions in the premier event.

Murray teamed up with under-23 world champion Simon Watson, and Bond with Jade Uru, another world under-23 champion. Both won their heats to set up a fascinating contest at the business end of the regatta.

There were 112 races scheduled yesterday with the finals on Friday and Saturday.