The big fish is still flirting with the bait.
New Zealander Mahe Drysdale's great rival Olaf Tufte remains a strong possibility for the November 13 Prospace Billy Webb Challenge on the Whanganui River, even though he is yet to sign up.
Norwegian Tufte, conqueror of Drysdale in the first Billy Webb in
2008, will be in the single at the World Championships at Lake Karapiro, and according to event promoter Rob Hamill, certainly hasn't said no to a Wanganui return.
But he is yet to say "yes".
"Olaf has been hedging for a little while, but he's currently looking more likely," Hamill said yesterday.
"So we've almost got five of the world's best scullers.
Tufte's battle with Drysdale drew a crowd of many thousands to the banks of the Wanganui River - the draw of the Norwegians name proving irresistible to many who came from all over the North Island for the race.
Hamill said Drysdale was feeling confident that Tufte would eventually agree.
"Between the three of us we're trying to work it out," Hamill said.
Confirmed are Drysdale, Englishman Alan Campbell, Swede Lassi Karrinon, and last year's disappointing Belgian Tim Maeyens.
If all took part, there could be a field of up to six for the big race over 5km.
And all of the confirmed Billy Webb starters will be competing in the Friday night Lion Foundation Night Sprint competition, with the fastest non-qualifier also going into the big race.
New Zealand entrants have yet to be confirmed.
