Mahe Drysdale's challenge has been answered.
The 2016 Billy Webb Trophy is not guaranteed to continue its role glass conversational piece which sits on Drysdale's window sill, following the news that his single scull rival and Rio Olympic silver medallist Damir Martin will travel to the southern hemisphere to take on the Kiwi on the Whanganui river on December 11.
Wanganui Rowing Association spokeswoman Kate Austin said Drysdale had been the one organising for the Croatian to possible come to New Zealand to bolster interest in the 5km race.
"It's very exciting," said Austin.
"He was in the pipeline, but it was just waiting for that final tick."
Martin is likely to be in good shape coming out of the European season, while Drysdale will have been taking it a bit easier, post the Olympic cycle.
Held biennially since 2008 and now every year following on from 2015, Drysdale has won every Billy Webb Challenge except 2014 - when avoiding a rogue floating log allowed fellow Olympic gold medallist Hamish Bond to get away and claim line honours