NSW and Australian representative Peter Hardcastle (Mosman RC) has capped off an amazing international racing season after beating World Champion Mahe Drysdale in the 500m Sprint at the USA World Rowing Challenge: Floodlit Night Regatta on the weekend.

In an incredibly close finish that saw the top four athletes finish within a second, Pete piped them all to take the line-honours in a time of 1:35.379.  What made this win even more memorable was that the scullers he beat included three phenomenal international stars.

The most notable of these was three-time World Champion Mahe Drysdale who raced after winning the Gold medal in the men’s single in Munich. Drysdale had to settle for second place in a time of 1:35.477.

Third place went to American Jamie Schroeder who came home in 1:35.657. The 6 foot 7 Schroeder is an Athens Olympian who also competed in the USA men’s quad in Munich.

Peter also knocked-off another flying Kiwi in Nathan Cohen who had to settle with fifth. Cohen is a double World Junior medallist, who has also won a silver medal in the men’s under 23 single and placed sixth in the double at Munich. 

Pete also raced in the 2000m event and came third in a time of 7:18.09 behind Drysdale (7:10.47) and Cohen (7:11.39).

The event is part of the 2007 Oklahoma Centennial Regatta Festival that takes place over 10 days and also features the Head of the Oklahoma head race.

These fantastic results are all part of his build-up to Beijing and show enormous promise for Pete to go to another Olympics.

Well done Pete on a phenomenal performance!

Verena Stocker.