24 Dec 2015

Olympic and world champ remains coachless

12:05 pm on 24 December 2015

The dispute between Rowing New Zealand and leading coach Dick Tonks remains unresolved, leaving Olympic and world champion Mahe Drysdale coachless eight months out from the Rio Games.

Rowing New Zealand terminated Tonks' contract last week after he refused to stop coaching a Chinese crew while he was coaching Drysdale and the women's doubles scull of Zoe Stevenson and Eve McFarlane.

The parties had hoped a resolution would have been found by Wednesday, but the saga has dragged on.

Single sculls silver medallist Mahe Drysdale is confident he's on course for Rio Olympic success.

Olympic and world champion Mahe Drysdale remains coachless. Photo: Photosport

A statement from Rowing New Zealand chief executive Simon Peterson said it intended having the situation resolved by the time the rowers resume training in the New Year.

Peterson wouldn't comment further.

Rowing coach Dick Tonks during a morning of training on Lake Karapiro in 2010.

Dick Tonks Photo: PHOTOSPORT

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