Eight of the Best (including Drysdale) take out one of the world's biggest rowing races

Scullers unite to win in greatest ever eight?

Triple world single scull champion Mahé Drysdale joined an international all-star crew to beat a GB line-up with five Beijing medals in the London Head of the River Race - one of the sport's biggest races with more than 400 eights competing.

The all-stars, racing for the Tideway Scullers club, beat Leander Club by almost four seconds in 17 minutes, 25.21 seconds in Saturday's time trial.

Drysdale was one of five Beijing finalists in the Scullers crew. "We'll enjoy the win and when we see each other again we'll be competing against each other," said Mahé.

Three of the vanquished Great Britain eight, which won silver in Beijing, featured in the Leander line-up alongside Peter Reed from the gold medal winning Olympic champion coxless four.

Leander, the defending champions, set off first, while Tideway Scullers started fifth and had crews to work off down the 4.25-mile course on the River Thames, where the University Boat Race (featuring fellow kiwi bronze medallist George Bridgewater) will be held next Sunday.

Most of the Tideway Scullers all-star line-up flew into London on Monday for a week of training in the run-up to the race - with Drysdale having the longest haul to take up his seat in the boat.

They had a split decision against the Cambridge Boat Race crew on Wednesday, losing one race but winning the second.


Crew:

1. Tideway Scullers' School - 17 min 25.21 sec

Tim Maeyens (Bel, fourth in 2008 Olympic singles final), Andre Vonarburg (Swi, ninth overall in Beijing), Alan Campbell (GB, fifth in Beijing final), Marcel Hacker (Ger, bronze at Sydney 2000, seventh in Beijing), Mahé Drysdale (NZ, Olympic bronze in 2008, three times world champion), Olaf Tufte (Nor, Olympic champion 2004 and 2008), Ondrej Synek (Cze, silver in Beijing), Iztok Cop (Slo, gold in double scull in Sydney, silver in 2004)