New Zealand's elite rowers had a stellar day at the second World Cup regatta in Aiguebelette, France last night.
With crews in seven A finals, New Zealand bagged five gold medals, plus a bronze in the women's quad, and a fourth in the men's double scull. Three other crews, the women's double and pair and the men's quad, all won their B finals.
Olympic champion single sculler Mahe Drysdale, who had spoken of being happy if he made the podium in France before leaving New Zealand, made a triumphant return after a lengthy break by winning his A final. However Drysdale had to do it the hard way.
Last at the 500m mark, he was still only fourth at halfway and second with 500m to go before overtaking Czech Republic rival Ondrej Synek, and winning in 6min 55.150s, 1.9s ahead of Synek.
Other wins went to women's single sculler Emma Twigg, who took the lead at the halfway mark and held off China's Jingli Duan by 1.8s; the never-been-beaten men's pair of Eric Murray and Hamish Bond, who crossed more than 10s ahead of their German rivals; the men's lightweight four and lightweight single sculler Julia Edward.
