Rowing: Young, free and single

Auckland rower Mahe Drysdale had no trouble convincing himself he was a single sculler but Rowing New Zealand (RNZ) was a tougher nut to crack.

The 26-year-old Australian-born sculler was part of the Olympic four that made the final last year and rowing bosses were keen to keep pushing forward the crew of Drysdale, Donald Leach, Eric Murray and Carl Meyer.

Drysdale was by this time 'single'-minded about it.

"I first raced and fell in love with the single in 2002," he said from Japan where he is preparing for next week's world championships, adding that he first tried the single when his pairs partner broke his back.

"I won the national champs in 2003 and first asked about racing it internationally then. I was advised by [coach] Dick Tonks and the selectors that I should stay with the coxless four through to Athens to build up experience.

"I was told I had potential and if I was still interested in pursuing it after Athens then I could try for Beijing. I have had this in the back of my mind since. Rowing New Zealand were pretty set on me returning to the four but I had made up my mind and fought for the single which, in the end, I was given."

He immediately set about proving his was the right path, claiming two silvers during the world cup events in Lucerne and Munich this European summer.

Rather than Beijing 2008, which was the initial goal, Drysdale now has his sights set on medalling at the world championships.

"In making this decision I reviewed my rowing career and decided that I would give the single a go for a year to see where I stood in the world. My results so far have confirmed to me that the single gives me what I consider my best opportunity of making all the hard work worthwhile by achieving my goals and medalling in Beijing.

"As for Japan, so far this year has been a dream - I have outperformed every goal I've set up to now. Initially my goal was to make the A final in Japan and I will be very disappointed if I fail to achieve this. Once in the final anything is possible and I have as good a chance as anyone of picking up a medal."

Drysdale's confidence is not misplaced. He has stunned his bosses at RNZ with how quickly he has adapted to two oars instead of one. There's pedigree there, too. While Drysdale said Rob Waddell gave him some helpful pointers when he made the switch, he is determined to be his own man.

"I want to forge my own path. We may be similar in size, and I am trying to emulate Rob's results, but to me that's where the similarities end. Rob had the best engine in the world, holding the world record on the water and the ergonometer. I don't have that engine so have had to use other strengths and do slightly different things to what Rob did.

"What Rob achieved was fantastic and watching him win gold in Sydney [Olympics 2000] was one of the major reasons I returned to rowing. He forged the path and I now have a map to follow. Rob continues to help me where he can, is very supportive and speaks to me regularly."

His immediate mentor is uber-coach Richard Tonks, who also looks after the women's double and the women's pair. While the stroke is similar to that in the four, there is a totally different "feeling" in the single that takes some adjustment.

The boat feels a lot heavier through the water and therefore the stroke rating drops from the high-30s per minute in the four to about 33-34 in the single.

The other obvious adjustment Drysdale has had to make is the fact he is a man alone, making a lie, as all single scullers do, of the 'no man is an island' theory.

There are pluses and minuses in solitude.

"When you are having a tough day training I definitely miss the four and the camaraderie to help get you through the session and home. But when I am racing there is no better boat than the single; it is the slowest boat and mentally very tough.

"I love the challenge and the one-on-one aspect. In the end it comes down to how you row and if you can produce a better strategy than your competitor.

"I have also been very lucky this year to be part of a very tight team, there is 10 of the 11 from last year's Olympics... so there is always someone to push you and support you, making it feel less like you are on your own."

Waddell could tell him, too, that when you're standing on that podium with an Olympic medal around your neck, it seems like there's approximately four million others standing up there with you.