Mahe Drysdale following his gutsy effort in the Olympic mens' single sculls final in Beijing. Photo / Kenny Rodger
Mahe Drysdale has the chance to exact some revenge on two-time Olympic gold medallist Olaf Tufte in a special race being staged to commemorate the achievements of another New Zealand rowing great.
Drysdale, who picked up a single sculls bronze medal behind Tufte in Beijing in August after
battling a severe stomach virus, is to race against the Norwegian on the Whanganui River on December 7.
The race will be the premier event in the Billy Webb Centennial Challenge, 100 years after Webb defended his world championship title on the same stretch of water.
A wildcard single sculler, who will have secured his place in a raceoff over 2km staged prior to the main event, will also line up against Drysdale and Tufte.
The race will take place over approximately 5km, a similar distance to that which Webb rowed.
Drysdale said he was excited about the opportunities the event provided.
"I've read a lot about the history of our great sport and to replicate a race that took place 100 years ago against the Olympic champion will be a fitting tribute to William Webb, one of the greats of our sport.
"I think it's great that Wanganui has got behind this event celebration and I'm looking forward to a rematch against my great rival and good friend Olaf over a longer distance."
History will further repeat itself on the day when the riverboats Waimarie and Wairua follow the rowers down the course, the same boats from which supporters watched and cheered Webb a century ago.
- NZPA
