One man who won't be in Boston this weekend is current Men's Hwt Open world champion Rob Waddell of New Zealand. The three times winner has shocked the rowing world by retiring, at least temporarily, from the sport and taking up sailing instead, becoming a grinder for Team New Zealand. The Olympic gold medallist's success in rigorous trials means he will not row competitively again until after the America's Cup yachting regatta in 2003. Once the cup is over, though, he'll start working towards the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Getting the job was no doddle for Waddell. Skipper Dean Barker had 40 applicants for the grinder's job and the five man shortlist - none of whom had sailing experience – also comprised another rower, a national judoka, a body-builder and a national strongman titleholder.Waddell was so determined to get the grinder's job he added 14kg of muscle to his upper body and spent almost two months working out to alter his physique. In rowing it's all legs and no chest, now it's all chest and no legs, Waddell said. This is a real baptism of fire. The first day I went out I had no idea the grinder's handles moved so quickly and I couldn't keep up. I felt totally out of control, just like I did when I was a kid trying rowing for the first time. Despite this, the Olympic single sculls champion has impressed his new teammates with his ability to learn the ropes on the boat. We were probably tougher on him for selection than anything he has had to go through before, Barker said. We had to disregard who he was because we wanted the guy who was the most compatible with our team. Rob is an exceptional athlete.