Drysdale: Coaching drain behind downturn

Mahe Drysdale says Rowing New Zealand will need to have ‘‘honest conversations’’ after the disappointing return at the world championships and pointed to the loss of top coaching talent to rival nations as one of the main reasons for the decline.

The three medals (two silvers and a bronze) collected in Bulgaria last week was the worst performance by a New Zealand team at a world championships in 15 years. It was also the first time a Kiwi rower failed to win a gold medal since 2001.

After missing out on the single sculls berth to Robbie Manson, double Olympic champion Drysdale was part of the men’s quad that exceeded expectations with their fourth-place finish. While pleased with the progress the quad has made, the regatta was bitter-sweet experience for Drysdale.

‘‘Unfortunately we were the only NZ crew that performed beyond the expectations set for it. I have to say it was a hard watch at times as a number of crews struggled to reach their potential,’’ Drysdale wrote in his personal blog.

‘‘Some of this is certainly the standard of the World going up, (unfortunately in a number of cases this is due to NZ coaches that have gone overseas and implemented a NZ-style system, meaning we are losing our competitive advantage) and some I believe comes down to what and how we are doing things.’’

The last few years have seen several leading coaches leave New Zealand to head up programmes overseas, including Drysdale’s former mentor Dick Tonks, Dave Thompson and Ian Wright.

Tonks is now coaching in China while Thompson is in charge of the Canadian women who won gold in the pair ahead of Kiwi duo Kerri Gowler and Grace Prendergast. Canada also claimed silver in the women’s eight as New Zealand failed to qualify for the final.

Wright oversees the Australian men’s team and they were well ahead of New Zealand on the medal table in Bulgaria.

Last week’s performance will be little more than a footnote if they turn things around at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. But Drysdale says the regatta should act as a wake-up call for Rowing NZ.

‘‘Hopefully this is a catalyst for some honest conversations and the boost needed to implement some changes so we can earn our place back as the most successful rowing nation in the world,’’ he said.

While in Europe the 39-year-old took the time to catch up with old rival Olaf Tufte in Norway, who won gold at the 2008 Olympics when a severely ill Drysdale had to settle for bronze.

‘‘It was a hard watch at times as a number of crews struggled to reach their potential.’’ Mahe Drysdale, left