Rowing: Grant sets pace at Henley regatta

Lightweight world champion Duncan Grant was New Zealand's star turn at the Henley Regatta in England today.

Grant beat Briton and world class heavyweight single sculler Ian Lawson at Oxfordshire to book a second round race against Belgian star Tim Maeyens.

He headed Grant by 3-1/2 lengths by the finish, a comfortable margin of victory bettered by compatriot and Olympic bronze medallist Mahe Drysdale.

Drysdale, a multiple heavyweight singles world champion, was 4-1/2 lengths clear of Briton NJB Baker in exceptionally fast but changeable conditions.

Drysdale posted the equal fastest time of the round, the mark of seven minutes 51 seconds being matched by Maeyens.

Hamish Bond and Eric Murray looked comfortable in their heat of the pairs, racing away in front of an appreciative crowd to a six-length victory over their Japanese opponents.

But it was Grant, giving away more than 20kg to Lawson, who drew the biggest cheers from the crowd.

Racing the reigning Henley singles sculls champion, the New Zealander was given an early advantage when Lawson false started.

At the restart Grant sprinted away to take an early lead and remained in control while rating 35-plus throughout the race.

Drysdale, Grant, Bond and Murray will be back on the water for the second rounds tomorrow, when Emma Twigg, New Zealand's two women's quads and the two men's double sculls also make their first appearances.

Drysdale entered the regatta in a buoyant mood, saying he felt he was in the form of his life.

Fresh from a World Cup gold medal in Munich last month, Drysdale said the hard work over New Zealand's summer was paying off.

"The really surprising thing is how nice it is to come to Europe and be ahead of everyone else so early. And there's still a lot more to come. I'm happy with the way I started," he said.

"This is only the second time I've come straight to Europe and won. Usually I'm straight into the medals and improve as the season goes on. This time I'm confident I can get better. When you start ahead you can keep getting better."

He said the quality of the opposition at Henley had increased the significance of the annual regatta.

"Henley is really important especially this year because all the top scullers are here," Drysdale said.

"Four out of the Olympic top five are here so it's a very strong field. We all want to come away with the win."

The regatta is a highlight of the English social calendar, which added to mystique for Drysdale.

"I love Henley. It's one of my favourite regattas. It's unique and prestigious and obviously a different format.

"It's the oldest regatta of racing goes tight back to the 1840s and is something very special to win.

"I got beaten a couple of years ago by Alan Campbell so will go out to get revenge for that. It's a unique atmosphere - different to anything else. There's even a few different rules like you race one on one."

- NZPA