Webb challenge shaping up as a rowing spectacle

Iain Hyndman | 18th July 2010

The third annual Prospace Billy Webb Challenge on the Whanganui River, in November, is shaping up to be the "most exciting rowing spectacle on the planet".

After winning last year's event, Kiwi world champion sculler Mahe Drysdale promised to bring four of the globe's best to Wanganui if the city could host the regatta a week after the World Championships at Lake Karipiro in the first week of November.

However, event director Rob Hamill said he was aiming to attract far more than just the four that Drysdale had promised.

"I can't confirm it at this stage, but we are trying to get a large number of rowers to commit to the Billy Webb this year a week after they compete at the world champs at Karipiro," Hamill told the Chronicle yesterday.

"We're hoping to attract world class rowers from a host of different countries, many of whom have never visited New Zealand. If they come to Wanganui and compete a week after the worlds they could then head off on holiday and see the country."

Hamill said if he managed to attract the numbers the Friday night regatta could also involve four and eight-man crews in addition to the single scull sprint to determine the wild card entry into the main event later in the weekend.

"If we managed to get the numbers this event would be the most exciting rowing spectacle on the planet. As far as I'm aware this type of event has never been held outside the Olympics. I'm hoping to nail down the exact numbers within the next four to six weeks," Hamill said.

Wanganui District Councillor Philippa Baker-Hogan, herself a former world champion, said this year's Prospace-sponsored event was looking "really exciting" and was an opportunity to promote Wanganui on the world stage.

"We always knew this year would be a great opportunity to get the world's best here with the world champs being held at Lake Karipiro. Every competitor will be in peak form and this is a superb opportunity," Ms Baker-Hogan said.

"The feedback I'm getting is that the scullers themselves see the Billy Webb Challenge as an iconic event and the most professionally run regatta outside the Olympics."

The Wanganui District Council last year funded the Prospace Billy Webb Challenge to the tune of $40,000 over three years.

After its first running, a half hour television programme on the event was aired to an available 90 million viewers in the United States through the Universal Sports channel.

Hamill said he was attempting to make similar arrangements for this year's challenge.