Grant beats Diamond Sculls champ to book a date with Maeyens

Lightweight world champion Duncan Grant was the star on the first day at the Henley Royal Regatta for the New Zealand team, defeating reigning Diamond Sculls champion - and world class heavyweight single sculler - Ian Lawson to book a second round race against Belgian star Tim Maeyens.

Mahé Drysdale had a comfortable win in his heat, an attempt on the record for the first portion of the course falling just one second outside of the mark set in the previous race by arch rival Alan Campbell of Great Britain in exceptionally fast, but changeable conditions. 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 some four stone to his opponent, who drew the biggest cheers from the crowd. Racing the reigning champion, who was also a Leander sculler racing on home water, Grant was given an early advantage when Lawson false started, a clear indication that it was going to be a close race.

At the restart Grant sprinted away to take an early lead. He remained in control rating 35 plus throughout the race and slowly but surely built up his lead.

Lawson fought back at the three-quarter mile mark reducing the Wairau sculler’s lead, but Grant responded with a burst at 36 strokes a minute and the champion had no response. Grant extended his lead out to three and a half lengths as the scullers raced through the packed Stewards enclosures.

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

Results

Draw