Big test for heart-op rower
http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikatotimes/4679517a6004.html
Shane O'Mara will put his heart into Sunday's Great Race on the Waikato River and hope it stands the test.
The Cambridge University rower suffers from the same heart problem, atrial fibrillation, that struck Rob Waddell in his Olympic qualifying single sculls showdown against Mahe Drysdale at Lake Karapiro earlier this year.
It caused O'Mara, originally from the US, to miss one of rowing's most prestigious races the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race in March and threatened to derail his career.
The 25-year-old had, like Waddell, kept the problem of an irregular heartbeat largely in check through medication for almost three years before it flared up before the race on the River Thames.
"Everything went south and I ended up in hospital just three days before the race," O'Mara said.
"They can shock it back into rhythm or give you an injection but mine had been out so long that there was a serious risk of a stroke so I had to miss the race.
"It was a big blow I'd trained all year for it. And not just me, the other guys in the boat had too and for some it was their last chance."
Cambridge were beaten while O'Mara was left to ponder how to deal with his misfiring ticker. He opted to undergo a radio ablation operation to allow him to continue his rowing career.
"They run a catheter up through your groin to your heart and cauterise the pulmonary veins," the genial O'Mara said casually.
Fortunately the Florida-born student came through the operation with flying colours.
"It's been all good so far. I've done some hard pieces since but this race will be the toughest test it's time to bite the bullet."
O'Mara and his teammates will battle the Waikato University crew for the Harry Mahon Trophy in the Gallagher Great Race at 1pm on Sunday. The women's race for the Bryan Gould Cup sees the hosts row against Sydney University at noon.