"This is going to be a really exciting race as Nathan and Eric have both beaten Mahe in the past," Mr Evans said.
He said the regatta had also drawn a great line-up for the women's race, including Australian Kim Crow who won a silver medal in the double and bronze in the single at the London Olympics.
"Kim's very excited about racing on the Whanganui River and she'll be looking to Ian Wright for coaching tips on the river as he coached her in Australia," he said.
Crow will race against members of the NZ women's quad. Eve MacFarlane, Fi Bourke and Sarah Gray are confirmed starters and other summer squad members will contest the Friday sprints with the winner racing in the main event on Sunday as the "wild card".
Mr Evans said the organisers were pleased to welcome Aon Insurance Brokers on board as naming sponsor.
Aon had a history of supporting NZ rowing, including the Kiwi eight in 2011/12, as well as being the naming sponsor for the Maadi Cup Regatta.
Other major sponsors are Wanganui.com, Wanganui Chronicle, Mediaworks-More FM, NZ Lion Foundation and NZ Community Trust.
Wanganui District councillor Philippa Baker-Hogan said the Billy Webb Race and associated events would be a highlight on Wanganui's calendar.
"We have seen huge crowds for previous Billy Webb events so imagine the excitement this year with so many Olympians competing," she said.
The programme kicks off on Friday, December 7, with the sprints in the evening featuring the NZ summer squad and Wanganui rowers Ben Hammond, Sarah Gray and Chris Harris.
This will be followed by a Dinner of Champions, a public fundraising dinner to support our next bunch of local up-and-coming Olympians and other high performance athletes.
The next day is the Jury Cup regatta involving clubs from round New Zealand.
The Aon Billy Webb Race takes place on Sunday, December 9, and includes the men's and women's races.
There will also be a Corporate Eights Race.
This year they will race heats during the Jury Cup and race the finals at the Billy Webb event.
Local rowing clubs can help get two experienced rowers and training for the corporate eights and businesses or organisations interested are asked to contact Barb Saunders at barb.saunders@xtra.co.nz.