Former world champ lured back for race

Former world champion rower Philippa Baker-Hogan is gearing up for the Billy Webb challenge. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO

CHAMPION Wanganui rower Philippa Baker-Hogan is coming out of retirement to race the Aon Billy Webb challenge later this month. And she hopes putting her hand up will encourage others to enter the race.

Baker-Hogan retired in 1996 after winning two world double sculls titles in the early 90s and competing in two Olympic Games. She made a brief return to the competitive scene in 2009 for the World Masters in Sydney but this month's race will be her first since then.

"It's good. You feel like you know how to move a boat still. It's not until you get on the rowing machine and you see what strength you haven't got. It's been quite hard on the body."

She's been training for the past two weeks to be ready for the November 30 event and just hoped she could stay in the boat and get to the finish line.

"I'm trying to encourage others to get out there."

Current New Zealand rowers Mahe Drysdale and Hamish Bond will also be lining up for the Billy Webb race.

"It's a chance for me to race guys I never got to race," Baker-Hogan said. "It's a chance for everybody to race against the world's best. Anybody and everybody should be in there."

A change of format this year opens the race up to all single scullers.

Baker-Hogan said the Billy Webb was the country's premier long distance race. The race replicates Billy Webb's world title defence on the 5km Whanganui River course in 1908.

Event co-ordinator Stephanie Rush said entries opened last week and hoped about 30 rowers would take part.

- Entry fee for the event is $35 and includes a T-shirt and lunch at the Union Boat Club.