World double sculling champion Nathan Cohen today denied four time world champion Mahé Drysdale a record equalling seventh national title with an emphatic victory in the premier single sculling event at the BankLink New Zealand Rowing Championships at Lake Ruataniwha in Twizel.
Cohen has come close to beating Drysdale on several occasions at the national championships in recent years but it all came good today for the South Islander. The race quickly developed into a three way scrap between Drysdale, Cohen and lightweight Peter Taylor, who had a fantastic first 1,000 metres which saw him go through the halfway mark in the lead.
Drysdale responded at half distance and carved out a small lead himself, but was never able to shake of Cohen, who tracked him until the final quarter of the race before pouncing with a sprint for home that Drysdale had no answer for.
"It was definitely the plan to stay in the race using as little energy as I possibly could," said the new champion. "I have been feeling pretty under the weather this week and I really only came good as I was sat on the start line, so it feels great to have put a race like that together. I have had better build ups to this race in recent years if I am being honest, but it is awesome to win it."
Drysdale emphasised he had no problems with his back during the race, but admitted that with limited time on the water in recent weeks and months as a result of the injury, a shoot out sprint against Cohen in the last few hundred metres was not something he had relished. "The plan was to get out into an early lead and fight off any challenges," said Drysdale. "Just after 1,000 metres I slipped out to a narrow lead, but Nathan responded. I went again at 600 metres and he responded again. I couldn't shake him off - he just has more fitness at the moment."
In the dash for line, Cohen established a clear water lead over Drysdale, with Taylor also finishing strongly after a good race, overlapping Drysdale at the close. "I wanted to be in the race at halfway no matter what that cost me in terms of energy," said the former lightweight double scull world champion. "And I did that. That felt good and I still felt strong. If I have one slight disappointment about the race it is that between 750 metres and 250 metres to go, I lost a bit of rhythm and should have focussed more on my own race." Taylor's finishing pace over the final 250 metres was fearsome, however, and his third place was well deserved. With the lightweight title won, he could leave Twizel very satisfied with his week's work.
Belgian world finalist Tim Maeyens was fourth on a guest appearance at the championships, ahead of promising youngsters Fergus Fauvel (Southern RPC) and Jason Theobald of Hamilton.
World bronze medallist Emma Twigg dominated the women's top sculling event, leading from the start. There was good battle for second place, with three squad girls - Fiona Bourke, Emma Feathery and lightweight sculls winner Lucy Strack. Bourke lacks the years of experience of the other two girls, but sculled well to remain in the lead pack. In the end though, the on-form Strack took second, with Bourke third and Feathery fourth. Sarah Gray and Petone's Erin Monique Shelton completed the first six.
The men's Under 19 coxed four went Blenheim's way after a good looking row, while Avon took yet another title back to Christchurch with a win in the women's Novice Fours. Waihopai won the women's club quadruple sculls, with Petone - with Shelton on board in a busy morning - winning the women's senior pair. West End took one back for the North Island with a win in the men's club quads.
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