Alyce Pulford says tomorrow's Great Race is as tough as it gets for elite rowers.
The 21-year-old will be part of the University of Waikato women's crew aiming to defend their Bryan Gould Cup title and cap a great year for Pulford that saw her win bronze at the world under-23 championships.
But she knows that to win will take everything out of the victorious eight.
"Physically, it's really tough," Pulford said.
"It's just under 4kms and all upstream. You're rowing against the current and it's thrashing the boat around.
"It takes a lot out of you. After every row you're always exhausted but this is a bit of a challenge."
Waikato will battle against the University of Sydney and University of Melbourne crews and Pulford said the switch to a three-boat race would add extra spice to the clash.
"There could be a bit of carnage at the start – we slapped oars with Sydney at the start last year.
"It's a real coxswains' race, it's all about getting our line and being determined to stick to it."
The new rules will also see the leading crew during the latter stages of the race forced into the quickest current of the river while the trailing teams hug the banks. It's designed to generate a close finish but Pulford isn't sure she's a fan.
"It'll make it interesting for the spectators, but it's hard for the rowers when they put you into the middle of the river.
"But it's part of what makes this race special."
Pulford teamed up with Julia Edward to win bronze in the lightweight women's double sculls at the world under-23 champs in Amsterdam earlier this year. "It was a great experience – it was my first lightweight international regatta. I learnt a lot from it and the medal was the icing on the cake."
Pulford said competition among New Zealand's top lightweight women's rowers was intense, with Louise Ayling and Lucy Strack last week qualifying the double sculls boat for the 2012 London Olympics.
That would make it tough for her to break into the boat for London, but doesn't mean she won't be trying.
"I'm just training hard, looking to develop my strength and fitness, and see where that takes me. I just want to aim for the top and if I don't get there straight away that's still sweet. If I perform at my best that's all I can do."
For now though, she has a race to win with Waikato University. "We're always hungry to do as best as we possibly can, and we're a Waikato team defending our own territory."
The University of Cambridge defending champion crew are favoured to retain the Harry Mahon Trophy in the men's race against the hosts and the University of Melbourne.
Gallagher Great Race crews: Men University of Waikato: Coach – Ross Tong; Matthew Glenn, Andrew Healey, Logan Rodger, Will Meates, Richard Harrison, Shaun Kirkham, Hayden Cohen, Finian Scott, Andrew Myers (reserve), Ivan Pavich (coxswain).
University of Cambridge: Coach – Steve Trapmore; David Nelson, Stephen Dudek, Alexander Scharp, Thomas Haworth, Joel Jennings, Henry Moore, Michael Thorp, John Lindeman, Niles Garratt, George Bosson (coxswain).
University of Melbourne: Coach – Alex Henshilwood; Michael Poulter, George Ellis, Harrison Casey, Adam Wetheimer, Sam Hookway, Hamish Rowlands, Matt Jeffery, Simon Booth, Tim Webster (coxswain).
Women University of Waikato: Coach – Lindsay McCowan; Erin Tolhurst, Kate Reymer, Kayla Pratt, Linda Matthews, Laura Fischer, Alyce Pulford, Zoe Stevenson, Amy-Kelly Horsfall, Abby Duke (reserve), Micayla Cotter (coxswain).
University of Sydney: Coach – Gonzalo Briones; Emmalene Fick, Charlotte Walters, Madeleine Cavanagh, Sabrina White, Beatrix Sheldrick, Emma Costello, Jessica Buttel, Ellena Winstanley, William Raven (coxswain).
University of Melbourne: Coach – Alex Henshilwood; Maddie Thomas, Sophie Robson, Monica McGauran, Emily Rose, Emma Webley, Alie Crowe, Lucy Stefan, Laura Kerin, Sam Sloss (coxswain).
== Report by Ian Anderson of Waikato Times
