Rob Waddell beat Mahé Drysdale again at Lake Karapiro today in the Cambridge Town Cup – but a third of a length margin at the finish showed the current World Champion had found considerable speed since their first encounter before Christmas.

It was Drysdale who took the early initiative moving out from the field with Waddell and lightweight Peter Taylor. Taylor – himself in top form at the moment - led at 1000 metres with Drysdale one length back and a further length or so behind.

In the third quarter Drysdale and Waddell moved up a gear and cleared Taylor, and this was where the real race for victory began. At 1,400 metres gone, Waddell increased his work rate and moved from a one length deficit to be alongside Drysdale with 500 metres to go in the 2,000 metre race. By 1,700 metres, Waddell had established clear water. Unlike their first race, however, Drysdale dug deep and went with Waddell as the two moved well clear of the rest of the field.

In a thrilling finish Drysdale came charging back at Waddell, chasing him all the way to the line and finishing less than a second behind. A satisfied crowd roared their approval having witnessed a truly great race between two giants of the sport.

In the top Women’s Single Sculls event, the Evers Swindell twins ruled the roost with another 1-2. Caroline finished ahead of Georgina, with Emma Twigg a very close third.

Elsewhere in rowing, normal service was resumed for Nathan Twaddle and George Bridgewater with a start to finish victory in the Coxless Pairs race at the Canterbury Championships in Twizel. They controlled their final from the start and finished ahead of two halves of the World Champion Coxless Four - Hamish Bond and Carl Meyer, with Eric Murray and James Dallinger in third.

Picture 1 - Mahe leads as the two forge ahead of the field (All pics courtesy of Rob Bristow)

500 metres to go - Rob makes a move and the two are level

300 metres to go and Rob looks to make his lead stick - but Mahe fights back

Less than one second separate the two at the finish - a great race