‘‘That is the important thing,'' rowing guru Fred Strachan told the Otago Daily Times yesterday. ‘‘That's the only consideration.
‘‘Gold in Bejing and nothing else. It does not matter who wins the bag of lollies at Karapiro this week.''
The weather conspired against Mahe Drysdale and Rob Waddell yesterday, as strong winds whipped up white caps on Lake Karapiro leading to the pair's race for Beijing being postponed for at least 24 hours. The score in their three-race trial series stands at 1-1.
Rowing New Zealand is due to announce its Games squad for Beijing on Friday, although that announcement at Lake Karapiro is now weather dependent.
Both scullers have outstanding international records. Waddell won world titles in 1998 and 1999 and the Olympics in 2000 before joining Team New Zealand's America's Cup campaign. Drysdale then took over Waddell's mantle, and has won the world title for the past three years.
Strachan backs Drysdale. ‘‘They are both world-class scullers but, under pressure, I believe that Drysdale is the best,'' Strachan said.
He does not think the three-race series between Drysdale and Waddell should be the only thing the selectors take into consideration.
‘‘If they did that, they should be fired,'' Strachan said. ‘‘That's only one consideration.''
There is some opinion that a win by half a length should be considered as a draw by the selectors.
Strachan was chairman of the New Zealand selection panel that prepared the eight to win the gold medal at the Munich Olympics in 1972.
‘‘We planned carefully for the win over a two-year period,'' Strachan said. ‘‘That meant a whole range of activities in Europe in 1971.''
This included winning the European title in 1971 and the duplication and fine tuning of this approach for the Olympics at Munich in 1972.
‘‘That's the pattern and how you win,'' Strachan said, ‘‘You don't win gold medals by the Mickey Mouse approach we have had this week. It's immaterial who wins the races this week.''
Strachan believes Drysdale would do the best preparation and have a better focus to win at the Olympics. Drysdale has three world titles and it would complete a remarkable record if he won the Olympic gold medal.
‘‘Every one of the 240 strokes needed in a single sculls race must be carefully planned out;'' Strachan said.
‘‘Thats what Mahe has done for the last three years. He has not swung on the end of a grinder with a bunch of losers in the America's Cup.''
Strachan is convinced that both scullers could mount the podium at Beijing.
‘‘But we are not looking for just a medal,'' Strachan said. ‘‘We want a gold medal.''
Strachan said Drysdale had spent time in Europe and had raced against the other top scullers in the world over the last three years.
‘‘I'm sure he will have summed up the strengths of the best single scullers in the world and will know how to beat them," Strachan said.
Waddell beat Drysdale by a second in the 2000m ergometer test during trials at Lake Karapiro.
Drysdale is faster on the smooth water that can be expected at the Olympics. Waddell is better in rougher water caused by crosswinds.
‘‘They are both of elite stature and will do New Zealand proud at Beijing,'' Strachan said.
‘‘But I believe Drysdale will win the gold medal.''