Rowing: No rematch for Waddell at trials

Mahe Drysdale is unbeaten against Rob Waddell so far this season. Photo / Getty Images

Mahe Drysdale and archrival Rob Waddell will not race against each other again during the national rowing trials at Lake Karapiro on the Waikato River.

In a head-to-head single sculls contest yesterday, Drysdale led from start to finish to win by an estimated 1-1/2 lengths.

The result followed his victory in the national championships at Lake Ruataniwha, in South Canterbury.

Rowing New Zealand selectors said today they had decided that yesterday's race between the pair would be the only one during the trials.

Drysdale has been invited to take part in Friday's formal time trial, when crews that have been formed during this week will be timed over a final 2km row.

Waddell has not been invited.

The selectors will make formal crew announcements for the elite and under-23 squads on Friday.

But Waddell said today he still had some long-term goals in the sport.

"I've got long term goals that I'd like to achieve in rowing," he told TV One.

"I'm still really enjoying the sport and involved in it."

He said he was disappointed not to have another chance to race against Drysdale today.

"I feel I haven't really had a heap of time in the boat this summer, especially racing.

"Long-term I feel very passionate about being involved in the sport."

Drysdale said yesterday being unbeaten so far against Waddell this season was a good confidence boost.

The three-time world champion said he and 2000 Olympic champion Waddell were given two hours' notice yesterday morning.

Drysdale, 30, was happy with his early season form as he worked towards his target of peaking for the world championships in Poland in August.

He had expected a tough reintroduction after resuming training about five weeks ago, but progress had been swifter than expected.

"When you start, you always improve quickly and it just depends on how much those improvements keep happening," he said.

"I think I can get a lot more speed out of my boat. When you're like that and things are progressing, it's really enjoyable to be involved."

Drysdale said he managed to pull out to a slight lead at the start yesterday and extended his advantage over the middle stages.

"Close to the finish, Rob closed me down quite a bit," he said.

"But I felt comfortable and in control. It's one of those things, when you're one-on-one, it's always nice to be in front."

At the national trials last March, the pair were involved in a gripping duel for the single sculls berth for the Beijing Olympics.

Drysdale came out on top after Waddell's heart condition resurfaced.

In Beijing, Drysdale battled a stomach bug and vomiting to claim bronze.

Waddell rowed in the double sculls with Nathan Cohen, making the final but missing out on a medal.

A member of Team New Zealand's past two America's Cup yachting campaigns, Waddell put his rowing preparations on hold to help the syndicate win the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series in Auckland last month.

- NZPA