Editorial: Tough Billy Webb decision was the right call

On the face of it, the loss of the Billy Webb Challenge rowing event this year could have major consequences for Wanganui.
But on closer inspection, the reality is that it may not be too bad a thing, taking a year off.
As was reported on Monday, the event has been called off this year because of rowers' commitment to pre-Olympic build-up as they target peak form for the London event.
With popular drawcard Mahe Drysdale out with that in mind, and others among rowing's elite likely also to steer clear lest they affect their Olympic dream, the scale of the spectacle would have been seriously diminished if it had gone ahead.
There's no doubt holding the challenge this year would have built on the highly successful regatta last year which saw huge crowds on the riverbank cheering as Drysdale pipped his good friend Briton Alan Campbell, not to mention the lesser-skilled but no less enthusiastic and well-supported crews in the corporate challenge. As I recall, there was a great atmosphere, there was an abundance of people and the event was well-received. It gave Wanganui television exposure and a global audience through a live webcast online.
Losing that exposure is a shame, but we do have other large-scale events to focus on. The Rugby World Cup and the visit by theUS team presents itself as a great opportunity to capitalise on the media-saturated US market, even if rugby is a minority sport there. In January we have the VCC Rally 2012, with the international pulling power of noted car enthusiast and Pink Floyd member Nic Mason, among others. It is estimated that tens of thousands will descend on the city for this event.
As for the Billy Webb Challenge, it is critical for its long-term viability that it retains its credibility as a sporting event, and as a public spectacle. On that front, organiser Rob Hamill is on the money when he suggests that putting the event into recess could reignite spectator interest for 2012. Last year's event was aided by New Zealand hosting the World Rowing Championships at Lake Karapiro and the Whanganui River event was timed to follow.
The challenge for Hamill and company for 2012 then will be to tap into the enthusiasm of those who participated last year to ensure a quality field. That is essential, as is an eye to the future as consideration must be given to finding a successor to Drysdale should he and other top performers call it quits after the Olympics - and the 2012 Billy Webb Challenge.