Rowing: Traditional rivals fight to be crowned king

Sporting rivalry between New Zealand and South Africa takes to the water this weekend with some of the world's best paddlers going stroke for stroke in the annual King of the Harbour races in Auckland.

New Zealand's chances lie with flatwater star Ben Fouhy and two-time winner Mike Walker. But they might find local knowledge alone will not be enough as they attempt to stave off the challenge from 11-time world champion Oscar Chalupsky, the 43-year-old legend who has dominated the sport for the past 25 years.

Dawid Mocke returns to Auckland to chase a third King of the Harbour crown after his wins in 2004 and 2005. Cape Town-based Mocke is right up with the best and returns to South Africa after tomorrow's race to chase a flat-water spot in that country's team for the Beijing Olympics.

Walker too is chasing a triple, after his wins in 2003 and 2006. He leads the North Shore Beach Series and has his sights set on an Olympic start in the K2.

The women's races should be keenly-contested with flat-water exponent Katie Pocock calling on her surf lifesaving skills in going head-to-head with national surfski champion Erin Taylor.