Mahe's sly grog Brit's only worry | Manawatu-Wanganui News | Local News in Manawatu-Wanganui

Tomorrow's Prospace Billy Webb Challenge may be a first for Alan Campbell, but the Brit's no stranger to the vagaries of river rowing.

As a member of the Tideway Scullers School in London, he's familiar with just about every ripple on the River Thames. His good mate and chief Webb Challenge rival on the Whanganui tomorrow, Mahe Drysdale, is a member too, thanks to Campbell's persuasive powers.

"As a rule, you have to be a Brit to be a member of the club, but as Mahe had done a lot of racing on the Thames, I managed to get him in as a member," he said.

Campbell, 27, and Drysdale became friends during the 2004 Athens Olympics.

"We discovered we had a lot in common and the friendship just grew from there."

And so has the rivalry.

It was because of their friendship Campbell had little hesitation signing up for the Billy Webb, though he knew little about it when the invitation arose. He knows more now.

"It's a tidal river and I've done plenty of rowing on them. There shouldn't be any problems. I'm a bit worried about Mahe, though. I'm concerned he might try to get me liquored up on the Friday night so I've got a hangover for the big racing on Saturday."

Campbell jokingly hopes he and Drysdale can work something out tomorrow so they end up sharing the prizemoney. But, then, Campbell has been warned to be wary of some young pretenders lying in wait.

If that's the case he won't be doing anyone any favours.

Campbell was satisfied with his singles bronze behind Ondrej Synek and Drysdale at the worlds at Karapiro last Saturday. The gold was his dream, but he was content with the improvements he's made to his performance less than two years out from the Olympics on his home waters.

He's been "chilling out" with his fiancee in Tauranga and Rotorua before setting sail for Wanganui. Campbell will take home happy memories from Karapiro.

"I think New Zealand did a fantastic job running the worlds. I'll certainly be telling everyone around Europe of my impressions."