Mahe Drysdale ready to bring it at river challenge | Manawatu-Wanganui News | Local News in Manawatu-Wanganui

He had to settle for silver at the world champs, but rower Mahe Drysdale is good as gold for Saturday's Billy Webb Challenge on the Whanganui River.

Drysdale complained of an interrupted build-up for the worlds at Lake Karapiro, but said his body had stood up well to the campaign and he saw no problem performing well on Saturday.

"I enjoy the Billy Webb concept of river racing. I'm looking forward to it again. Wanganui does a good job with promoting and running it," he said yesterday.

It will be his third Webb appearance. In 2008 he was beaten by Olympic gold medallist Olaf Tufte, before easily beating Belgian Tim Maeyens last year.

He squares off against his good mate Brit Alan Campbell on Saturday and the winner of Friday's wildcard race.

Campbell, a rising star of single sculling, was third behind winner Ondrej Synek and Drysdale in Saturday's world final at Karapiro.

Synek and Tufte will not contest the Billy Webb this year, preferring to head home. Czech Synek left Karapiro for the airport straight after the medal ceremony. His wife is expecting their first child soon.

The third member of the Webb challenge is likely to be either young Kiwi Robbie Manson, former world lightweight single champ Duncan Grant, or a young American sculler.

Drysdale said he would likely arrive in Wanganui on Friday after fulfilling a speaking engagement further north on Thursday.

Campbell is bringing his fiancee and parents to Wanganui for the first time.

Drysdale said Karapiro had done the country proud with its hosting of the world championships.

"Call me biased if you like, but it's probably the best worlds I've been to. A lot of the other rowers thought the same way," he said.