Drysdale secures his spot

In the third of a best of three scenario the two single scullers had one race each going into today's deciding race. Drysdale, after losing the second race, went out aggressively right from the first stroke at a pounding pace in the slight cross wind conditions. Waddell tried to hold on but appeared to be caught off guard and after about 40 strokes it appeared that Waddell's will to win had slipped away.

Drysdale kept his rating at 32 – 33 strokes per minute and at the 700m mark did a push to easily move ahead. By the half way point the race was all but over with Drysdale opening up a commanding lead. Drysdale then was able to drop his rating to 28 to win by a huge open water margin.

This race was probably the toughest mentally for Drysdale, but turned out to be one of the easiest physically.

After the race Waddell said he had suffered from a heart irregularity about 300m into the race. This heart problem has plagued Waddell since the 1990s and was one of the reasons Waddell decided to go into the single. He did not want his heart problem potentially impact on his team mates.

Rowing New Zealand's selectors still have the discretion to determine the final outcome for the men's single spot and the team will be announced on 7 March.

See the race live here