New Zealand's jack of all trades glad to be back

BEIJING (Reuters) - New Zealand's former Olympic champion Rob Waddell is delighted to be back rowing after a seven-year break spent sailing in the America's Cup and playing provincial rugby.

Waddell's preparation for the Games has already drawn worldwide attention after he went head-to-head with New Zealand's three-times world champion Mahe Drysdale for the single sculls position before suffering heart problems.

"I don't think I've enjoyed sculling as much as I have this year," the 33-year-old told reporters on Tuesday. "It's a whole new challenge."

Waddell has continued to hit the headlines after moving into the double sculls with Nathan Cohen and enjoying a successful European season with two World Cup victories.

But he cautioned that he does not consider his crew favorites despite the European success, as his rivals would not properly reveal themselves until the final sprint.

"We were very pleased with what we did in Europe (but) I really treat those European results with caution," he said.

"I just know there are two or three crews that you're just not going to see until the last part of the Olympic final. It's how it is, they perform poorly in the early regattas and then they always come up for the big one."

Waddell's return to the sport and race-off against Drysdale captivated the attention in New Zealand, with the media and public allowed to attend the trials.

Drysdale won the first race before Waddell leveled the contest, setting up a showdown on Lake Karapiro which was broadcast live on national television.

DRAMATIC FINALE

But the dramatic finale failed to materialize after Waddell suffered the recurrence of an irregular heartbeat, leaving Drysdale to coast to victory.

"Health is good," Waddell said. "Touch wood, I've done everything I can and I'm confident that I've managed the problem. I didn't actually know if I'd have a second life and row so I'm feeling somewhat privileged to be back."

The 2000 Olympic single champion and Cohen will face tough competition in the double from France, Estonia, Slovenia and Britain, but Waddell said he was happy with their progress.

"We think we're getting close to what we want now," he said.

The father of three said the thing he had noticed most since his return was the improvement made by the Chinese squad, who are genuine medal contenders in at least eight of the 14 events despite never previously winning an Olympic rowing gold medal.

"We have a very strong crew in the Chinese double. To be honest I'd never heard of them or seen them, and that's partly due to the fact I'd been away from the sport for a long time, but they are an unknown quantity. The depth is very impressive."

(Editing by Ed Osmond)