Drysdale regains national title in style

Mahé Drysdale regained his single sculling title and put himself in pole position for the spot at the world championships this season with a fine win in a world class field in the Premier Single Scull final at the BankLink New Zealand Rowing Championships at Lake Ruataniwha.

Drysdale defeated arch rival Rob Waddell, with lightweight Peter Taylor an impressive third followed by Joseph Sullivan, Nathan Cohen and Storm Uru.

Cohen set a blistering pace in the first 500 metres, taking a lead over Waddell, Drysdale and Taylor. As he faded heading towards half way, it was Waddell that emerged with a half length lead over Drysdale. The triple world champion looked the more comfortable, rating less and stalking the 200o Olympic champion. With about 900 metres to go, Drysdale and forged level with Waddell and as the two began to build for the finish - chased hard by the impressive Taylor - Drysdale's push was the more effective and he began to move away from Waddell.

With 250 metres to go Drysdale was clearly ahead and maintained his lead through to the finish to record a very impressive win. Whilst Waddell has been committed to Team New Zealand and sailing and putting in time on the water when he could, Drysdale's start to the season was by his own admission quite slow. Today's victory however, is one of his most dominant displays on domestic water in recent years.

Results

1 Auckland RPC 1 (Mahe Drysdale)  6:47.32

2 Waikato RPC 1 (Rob Waddell)  6:52.65

3 Southern RPC 2 (Peter Taylor)  7:00.58

4 Central RPC 1 (Joseph Sullivan)  7:10.74

5 Southern RPC 1 (Nathan Cohen)  7:31.06

6 Southern RPC 3 (Storm Uru)  7:34.36