Some of the best rowers on the planet are expected to be among the starters in this year's Billy Webb Challenge on the Whanganui River.
The event is scheduled for November 30 and yesterday the Wanganui Rowing Association said it was hopeful the regatta would include New Zealand's world and Olympic champions Mahe Drysdale, Hamish Bond and Emma Twigg.
Event co-ordinator Stephanie Rush said past Webb Challenge winner Drysdale was keen to return and they were contacting other big names.
The Challenge on Sunday will come on the back of Wanganui's annual Jury Cup regatta the day before, an event which is also expected to attract the very best crews from clubs and Rowing NZ's regional performance centres.
Ms Rush said AON, the country's largest insurance broker, had been secured as major sponsor for the men's elite single sculls race but sponsorship naming rights were still, available for elite women's and support races.