Drysdale takes third successive world championship gold

MUNICH, Sept 1 (Reuters) Single sculler Mahe Drysdale took world championship gold for the third successive year on a good day for New Zealand in Olympic events finals today.

Drysdale hauled back early leader Alan Campbell and then held off a late charge from the Czech Ondrej Synek to seal victory, punching the air as he crossed the line.

Local favourite Marcel Hacker disappointed a 10,000 strong crowd when he finished only fifth.

''I couldn't make use of home advantage,'' Hacker told reporters.

''I suppose I have to be happy I didn't finish last.'' Carl Meyer, James Dallinger, Eric Murray and Hamish Bond made it another gold for New Zealand in the men's four, with Italy second, the Netherlands third and heavy favourites Britain a disappointing fourth.

New Zealand had to settle for silver in the men's pair, as defending champions Duncan Free and Drew Ginn of Australia crossed the line ahead of 2005 winners George Bridgewater and Nathan Twaddle.

Iztok Cop and Luka Spik won the men's double sculls for Slovenia.

Ekaterina Karsten of Belarus matched Drysdale's feat by winning the women's single sculls for the third successive year.

Qin Li and Liang Tian gave China a first gold medal when they outpaced New Zealand sisters Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell to win the women's double sculls.

The women's pair gold went to Yulia Bichyk and Natallia Helakh of Belarus as they beat Germany's Elke Hipler and Nicole Zimmermann in a sprint for the line.

REUTERS PY RAI2321