The international rowing career of two time Olympic champion Mahe Drysdale appears to be over after he missed out on New Zealand elite squad named this afternoon.
The 42-year-old has lost his spot in the single scull to Tauranga's Jordan Parry who dominated the field at the recent trials.
Mahe Drysdale celebrates winning gold at the Rio Olympics in 2016. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
A men's eight has also been selected to contest the the final Olympic qualification regatta in Lucerne in May however a men's quad won't be going to the regatta to try and secure a place.
The eight need to finish in the top two to qualify for Tokyo.
Nine New Zealand boats have so qualified for the Tokyo Games - the women's single, women's double, lightweight women's double, women's pair, women's quad, women's eight, men's single, men's double and men's pair.
While this is not the final Olympic squad, Drysdale is unlikely to be able to force his way in as Rowing NZ has decided not to contest the World Cup regattas in Europe due to Covid-19 with crews remaining in New Zealand to to train and compete locally.
Rowing NZ is expected to name its 2021 men's team - which won't be the final squad selected for the Olympics; that full squad of women's and men's athletes is scheduled to be named in June - on Sunday or Monday ahead of the start of this year's Maadi Cup national secondary schools regatta.
Men's Elite Team
Men's Single Scull
Jordan Parry (Tauranga RC, Waikato RPC)
Mary Roberts (coach)
Men's Double Scull
Chris Harris (Aramoho Whanganui RC, Central RPC)
Jack Lopas (Canterbury RC, Southern RPC)
Calvin Ferguson (coach)
Men's Eight - to compete at the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta, Lucerne 15-17 May
Dan Williamson (Auckland RC, Auckland RPC)
Hamish Bond (North End RC, Southern RPC)
Matt MacDonald (North Shore RC, Auckland RPC)
Michael Brake (North Shore RC, Auckland RPC)
Phillip Wilson (Petone RC, Central RPC)
Shaun Kirkham (Waikato RC, Waikato RPC)
Tom Mackintosh (Avon RC, Southern RPC)
Tom Murray (Blenheim RC, Central RPC)
Sam Bosworth (cox) (Avon RC, Southern RPC)
Tony O'Connor & Gary Roberts (coaches)
Reserves
Brook Robertson (Nelson RC, Central RPC)
Ian Seymour (Wairau RC, Central RPC)
Ollie Maclean (North Shore RC, Auckland RPC)
Stephen Jones (West End RC, Auckland RPC)
