Oarsome duo set for river showdown

ALL STARS: In 2012, newly crowned Olympic champion Mahe Drysdale, second right, was the clear Billy Webb Challenge winner over Lassi Karonen, Nathan Cohen, Joseph Sullivan and Eric Murray. PHOTOS/SUPPLIED

The miniature replicas of the Aon Billy Webb Challenge trophy have spent the last few years as the glass conversational pieces on Mahe Drysdale's window sill, but the 2014 example might be destined for another living room.

Just announced as the No2-ranked male rower in the world behind his double sculls partner Eric Murray, Hamish Bond arrived in Wanganui yesterday ahead of taking his place at the head of the field of 25 rowers for tomorrow's dash on the Whanganui River.

Other names to watch will be from two generations of leading women rowers, as two-time world double sculls champion Philippa Baker-Hogan comes out of retirement, competing alongside Christchurch's Lucy Spoors, a member of the women's quad team which came fifth at this year's world championships.

But it is the duel between Bond and three-time Billy Webb Challenge winner Drysdale that is the drawcard.

Bond was the only Olympic gold medallist unable to compete in the star-studded 2012 race - due to attending his partner's graduation - with Drysdale going on to comfortably dispose of Murray, Nathan Cohen, Joseph Sullivan and Swedish Olympian Lassi Karonen.

But event co-ordinator Stephanie Rush thinks things could have changed in two years.

"[Bond's] beaten him three times last year but not, of course, over this distance."

After winning the men's premier single sculls at the Karapiro Christmas Regatta, Cambridge Town Cup and the North Island Club Championships, Bond again finished ahead of Drysdale at February's Bankstream New Zealand Rowing Championships.

However, those were the standard 2000m races, compared to the near 5km course on the Whanganui River, where Drysdale is very adept.

"It will be interesting to see who is supreme over the bigger distance," said Rush. "It's the current New Zealand champion against the Olympic champion."

While they have the newest craft and the pole positions, Bond and Drysdale will be very aware the water around them could become very crowded.

Rather than run separate class events and support races, all 25 rowers will compete together in a shotgun start, similar to the popular Armada Cup in Switzerland.

Should either of the Olympians get boxed in, it could open up a chance for a bolter to get away.

"Anything could happen because on the front row we've got six elite men, so any one of them could challenge this too," said Rush.

These include rowers currently attending the Central Rowing performance centre in Blenheim, as well as top local Luke Watts, a veteran of the World University Rowing Championships.

"The key is the start will be going off fast, there will be a lot of jostling," said Rush.

In total, there will be 12 categories of racers, from elite men and women through to club, Under 20, Under 17 and various Masters grades. The elite men's and women's winners will each pocket $1000, while the other category winners get $100.

The course this year will be closer to the Paddle Steamer Waimarie's home on Taupo Quay, so spectators will want a good spot as the event does not have the big screens on the city bridge this time around.

Action starts with kayak races at 10am, followed by the official waka welcome and karakia.

The Corporate 8 boats for the Aon Jury Cup will be launched at 10.30am, followed by the single sculls 15 minutes later.

At 11am the crew race gets under way, followed by the Billy Webb Challenge at 11.30am.

Bond and Drysdale will be presenting the winner of the Wanganui Cup at the 'Christmas at the Races' event this afternoon.