Mahé's Mail- Diamonds are Forever

by Mahé Drysdale on 4 Jul 2006 Well the week is over and has been a very successful and fun week, overall the best regatta I have ever been too.

I pretty much spent the week in amazement about how unique and different Henley is to any other regatta in the world. You need the right badges and to know the right people to be able to go certain places around the regatta.

I have had to learn unwritten rules, stand still at the end of the day as the band plays the national anthem. Overall it is very traditional and quaint. Ultimately you will be OK and have a great time as long as you act like a gentleman and practice sportsmanship behaviour. I have been treated very well, been looked after fantastically and enjoyed every part of the whole experience.

I certainly think some of the lessons could be taken to other regattas and sports.

So how did the rowing go?

Well I got through to the final fairly unscathed and this time remembered my row suit which was a good start. I was facing Charlie Palmer (last years beaten finalist). At the start I opened up a fairly healthy lead and was always pretty comfortable. The second half the rating came down to the late twenties and Charlie fought all the way.

A burst near the finish line made sure I kept my winning verdict of 5 lengths, and an accusation from the umpire that I was 'showboating' for the crowd. Bill Barry quickly dispelled that rumour and I think I managed to come away still a gentleman.

The prize giving was a very organised and official affair (would expect nothing less). I became only the 2nd Kiwi to be awarded the Diamond Sculls, possibly the most prestigious and historical prize in world sculling. It is a beautiful wooden box with lots of flaps that fold out to hold the silver plates with the names of the winners since 1850.

In the centre of the box is some lovely silver sculls with a wreath of diamonds and emeralds. And a big diamond at the bottom. The Diamond sculls are far too valuable for me to keep for the year so I had about 15 minutes with them to get some photos (had a minder watching my every move while I was holding them). I did however get a nice gold cup called the Pineapple Cup which is mine to keep. Not bad considering every other event only get medals to keep and beautiful silver cups that also have to give back after 15 minutes.

The night ended with a little Pimms and Champagne in the Pineapple Cup, catching up with the many supporters that had kindly come up from London to watch. It was then home for some rest and relaxation to prepare for Lucerne that starts Friday.

Very happy to win the Diamonds and get my name in the Henley history books. I am now back focused on Lucerne where the racing is going to be a lot tougher and get to face all the same guys from Poznan again to see what progress everyone has made toward worlds.

Will be back at the end of the week with updates from Lucerne.

Mahé

To get some idea of the atmosphere of the Henley Royal Regatta see this clip: www.bsn.org.uk/view_all.php?id=11851