Rowing great Mahe Drysdale has suffered another loss to rival Robbie Manson.
Manson has won the national single sculls race-off on Lake Karapiro which should confirm Manson in the seat at this year's World Cups and world championships.
Drysdale also lost out Manson at the national champs single sculls final last month where he was nearly three seconds off the pace.
Despite the latest result meaning Drysdale, a two time Olympic gold medallist, won't get to compete in the single scull he could be considered for other crew boats.
That could mean a return to the quad in which he raced last season.