It was billed as an Olympic re-match between Mahe Drysdale and Damir Martin, but two young guns stole the show at the Billy Webb Challenge on the Whanganui River on Sunday.

World under 23 champion German Tim Ole Naske, edged out Kiwi Jordan Parry to claim the title in challenging conditions.

But bragging rights between Drysdale and Martin belong to the Croatian who was third and well ahead of Drysdale back in fifth.

A strong breeze meant choppy conditions and a fast current for the 35 rowers who left from the Union Boat Club, rowing 2.5km up-stream before turning around and returning to the boat club.

A couple of logs littered the course adding a further challenge to the rowers, who were competing across 10 divisions.

Naske won the race in 22 minutes 21 seconds, with Parry three seconds behind.

It was the first time the race has involved rowing up and down stream and the added difficulty was clear from the almost four minutes extra on the winning time from Drysdale's last effort.

But Drysdale, who is set for a year away from competitive rowing, made it clear early that he would not be challenging the front-runners.

By the quarter-mark of the race he had already slipped four boat-lengths back from the leading trio.

When the leaders lifted their stroke rate, Drysdale was comfortable maintaining his pace and finishing fifth out of seven elite men rowers.

Post race, he admitted that his lack of time on the water following the Olympics was the key factor in the younger rowers being able to get away to such a strong start.

The addition of a turn at the halfway point of the race added some extra intrigue.

Parry led when he reached the buoy, but an aggressive turn from Storey, who was on the outside, saw the boats touch and it was Storey who pulled away from the buoy first.

However, it did not take long for the charging Naske and Parry from reeling in Storey and charging ahead for an exciting finish of their own.

Naske's win maintains his impressive record of never losing a major race.

The young German said it was incredible to have beaten some of the sport's biggest names.

"I can't really believe it," he said.

Naske said he went into the race knowing he would have to push hard early, but it was not until the mid-point that he started believing he could actually win.

"After the turn around I was feeling quite strong so I thought I can take on [Parry]," he said.

"When I took over him, I thought now I can really win this race."

The turn was the most challenging aspect of the race for him.

"It was quite difficult because of the rough conditions so I had some trouble, but I got through it."

He hoped to return to the event next year.

Drysdale would also not rule out another appearance in the race despite his year off the sport.

He was looking forward to spending some more family time with his wife and daughter and another child due in January.