Mahé's Mail- That Race Reviewed!

by Mahé Drysdale on 5 Sep 2006 Hello again

I have been slow in getting this out, but had a big week in London catching up with people and celebrating the end of another rowing season.

I have just arrived home, think I am still in one piece and looking forward to a couple of weeks of relaxing and getting the body back into peak shape before it all starts again in October.

Back to the rowing! Going into worlds was weird this year. In Lucerne I had felt ready to race and at the top of my game. I lost and learnt some valuable lessons but also felt I had lost that race tactically and if I could do it again I could have won it. From then on things felt like they were going down hill (including a bit of sickness and injury). Going into worlds I had lost a little bit of confidence and didn’t quite feel ready. I was faster over short distance, but struggling to put a full 2K together.

At Worlds I got through the heat fine! the semi was tough with Hacker attacking the start and leading me all the way until he caught a crab. I felt better after that as I still had some money in the bank and come out of a tough one on top. It was rough and strong tail in the final which was similar to semi. I wasn’t concerned about the conditions as knew I was as good as anyone in the rough but you are always aware it is easier to make a mistake.

In the final I had a good start. I felt I was going well and had Tufte beside me. When I looked around I realised we had been dropped with Hacker, Campbell and Synek out in front. I wasn’t too concerned I just had to stay in touch and limit my loses, using the 2nd 1000M to my advantage. With 1000M gone I felt I was getting into trouble, I had moved up to 3rd but I hadn’t limited my loss and Hacker had extended his lead to about 3sec.

Time to move so I tried to come back, Up went the rate and I was soon in 2nd behind Hacker. The gap wasn’t closing fast and with 750M to go I went again. With 500M to go Hacker still led by about 2 sec and I started to think I had stuffed up and given him too much of a lead. I went again and still the lead wasn’t shrinking much. With 250M to go I knew I was in trouble, Hacker led by about a length I had never come from behind this close to the line but I backed my fitness and speed from the last few weeks and powered for the line.

I didn’t look around and when I crossed the line I had no idea if I had won or not. I could have been 1 length ahead, 1 behind or level, I honestly had no Idea. I was looking around looking at the big screen. Then there it was 'World Champion Mahé Drysdale, New Zealand'. I was so relieved and happy and then I saw the time, a world best! I had gone faster than anyone has ever gone before! I was overjoyed! It was an extremely tough race and the winning margin was 0.09Sec! I usually go 4-5 seconds slower over the 2nd 1000M as your body gets tired and you slow down. In the final I had to go 2 seconds quicker in the 2nd 1000M just to win (another first for me).

After the initial celebrations I sat for a while with my hands on my head, it was for a few reasons. I had successfully retained my title and the biggest feeling was relief. I had set the World Best Time and for the first time I had come from behind making up a deficit (not how I like to race). Thirdly it was a very special date for me as it was my late Grandfather has been a huge inspiration to me throughout my life and it was his birthday on the 26th August, extra special for it all to happen on that date.

Hacker was very gracious after the race rowing over to shake my hand, congratulate me and welcome me to the world best time club (he held it previously) Unfortunately he didn’t make the medal ceremony as he collapsed as we were waiting for the ceremony and ended up in an ambulance.

Overall this year has been a very successful one, I improved a lot from last year (seems so did the rest of the field) with the top four Scullers going under 6:40 and a new world best time being set. The world best time was a big bonus for me! My main goal this year was to retain my world title but I really believed I was capable of setting a new mark. As Dick pushed me off for the final in Eton he told me a World Best was possible and it proved to be.

I have been asked a lot 'it is easier to win a world title or defend it'. It’s a tough one to answer as it was bloody hard winning my first one (it took me 4 years of full time training to achieve that goal) but I think once your at a level that you are capable of winning it is definitely harder to defend. Last year I was new and given a bit of lee way by the other guys. They would let me lead and back themselves to beat me in the end. I have gone consistently faster over the 1st 1000M this year than last and while most of the time I led at the 1000M last year I have only managed that once this year as the other guys have figured out my race plan and are all trying to counter it with a quick start. It has certainly changed the way the single is raced (think Alan Campbell is a big reason for this, with his flying starts).

So that’s the worlds, I am off now for a few weeks. I will be back in Europe in October and racing the Armada Cup, Switzerland 14th October and the Head of the Charles, Boston USA 21st October.

Will be back to report on those

Mahé