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Two in a row for Kiwi Pair
Ben Taylor and Oli Welch win back-to-back world titles
The look on New Zealand oarsman Ben Taylor's face with 250m to go said it all as the new Kiwi Pair closed in on their second consecutive world title.
Ben was taking in lungfuls, getting ready for the final push to the line. His expression was part extreme physical discomfort, part the hint of a grin as if to say, 'I've got this'.
He and Oli Welch led from start to finish on the famous Bosbaan course to repeat their victory in Shanghai last year.
There was a long delay before Ben could haul himself out of the boat after the Kiwis docked for the medal ceremony.
Oli was on his feet so got the first chance to describe the moment.
"Just stoked to get it done, another world title, it's pretty awesome…all this hard work's paid off for the year so it's really satisfying."
The New Zealanders looked completely in control throughout the race, finishing in 6min 16.62 sec, and fending off the constant presence of Australia (6:18.50) and Italy (6:19.68).
Oli acknowledging the scale of the challenge: "There's definitely a lot more competition this year. It was a lot tighter race, and the other crews really pushed us all the way to the line. There was no point where I thought we can back off."
New Zealand's nine wins make it the most successful nation in the event since the official World Championships began in 1974. Hamish Bond and Eric Murray won the event six times, Nathan Twaddle and George Bridgewater also won in 2005.
The current world champions aren't done at this regatta just yet, they now jump into heat three of the Men's Eight, just before 2am tomorrow NZT.
Oli Welch and Ben Taylor after winning their second world title in the Men's Pair.
There was huge expectation for the opening race of the day, the first quarter-final of the Women's Single Sculls, with New Zealand's Kathryn Glen lining up against Olympic champion Karolien Florijn and her would-be successor, Lauren Henry, from Great Britain.
"I didn't feel too nervous about it," says Kathryn. " I knew that it was them for the top two spots and then myself, Brazil, and the Czech going for that third position into the semis."
Florijn, who took a two-year break after the Paris Games, had clear water over Henry by the first 250m, and nearly two lengths at the 500m. The gap closed over the middle K and Henry had the lead with 400m to go. Florijn, who has been managing a back injury, tapped out at that point, Henry crossing in 7.14.82. Florijn was an easy second in 7:29.79.
Kathryn, who originally had to pull out of the Women's Quad in May with a stress reaction in her rib, finished fifth (7:43.65).
After the heat, she'd identified the need "to be braver" in her middle K.
" I definitely felt like I was being brave…I tried to attack from the very start… I couldn't have given it much more, I guess everyone out there is just a bit faster."
Kathryn now heads to the C Final at 8.15pm tonight NZT.
Kathryn Glen lined up in the first race of the day in the Women's Single Sculls against Olympic champion Karolien Florijn and Great Britain's Lauren Henry.
Katie Lush, competing in her first senior World Championships, is one step closer to achieving her goal after finishing third in the B Final of the Women's Pair with Juliette Lequeux. They finished ninth overall.
" I love being out there racing. I love the thrill of it. I love the training…the grind," says Katie. "It's been a dream of mine to be a professional athlete, go to the Olympics."
Her goal is clear in the run-up to qualification for LA 2028.
"I want to close that gap between where [leading crews] America and Romania are. So that's a good challenge for the next 12 months. This season, stepping up, being in that kind of mid-pack, maybe not quite towards the top end, but being there is like, 'Okay, let's keep going.'"
New Zealand finished in 7:07.51, behind Germany (7:02.87) and Australia (7:06.34).
Katie Lush (str) and Juliette Lequeux in the Women's Pair: For Katie, a ninth-place finish is one step closer to her goal of getting to the Olympics.
Ben Mason and Finn Hamill were fourth in their B final of the Men's Double Sculls, finishing 10th overall.
It's been a frustrating season.
" I'm definitely the strongest I've ever been. I'm arguably the fittest I've ever been. But the rowing part of it just isn't there," says Finn. "We sort of found something quite strong [in the quarter-final] and were feeling good off the back of that for the semi but then it just didn't click. It was just hard work to be honest."
Ben and Finn finished in 6:13.22, behind the Sinkovic brothers from Croatia (6:08.67), Portugal (6:11.44) and Germany (6:11.82).
"It felt better today, but again just not quite there," says Finn. "But we are still in that Olympic qualifying zone so that's a positive."
Ben Mason (str) and Finn Hamill on their way to a fourth-place finish in the B Final. The speed is there but they haven't been able to get it consistently through the season.
Andy Hay
Andy Hay is a freelance producer, writer and Maadi Cup-winning coach. He was cox of the world champion New Zealand eight of 1982 and '83. He is NZ Olympian #446.
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- Home
- /
- International Regattas
- /
- Two in a...
Two in a row for Kiwi Pair
Ben Taylor and Oli Welch win back-to-back world titles
The look on New Zealand oarsman Ben Taylor's face with 250m to go said it all as the new Kiwi Pair closed in on their second consecutive world title.
Ben was taking in lungfuls, getting ready for the final push to the line. His expression was part extreme physical discomfort, part the hint of a grin as if to say, 'I've got this'.
He and Oli Welch led from start to finish on the famous Bosbaan course to repeat their victory in Shanghai last year.
There was a long delay before Ben could haul himself out of the boat after the Kiwis docked for the medal ceremony.
Oli was on his feet so got the first chance to describe the moment.
"Just stoked to get it done, another world title, it's pretty awesome…all this hard work's paid off for the year so it's really satisfying."
The New Zealanders looked completely in control throughout the race, finishing in 6min 16.62 sec, and fending off the constant presence of Australia (6:18.50) and Italy (6:19.68).
Oli acknowledging the scale of the challenge: "There's definitely a lot more competition this year. It was a lot tighter race, and the other crews really pushed us all the way to the line. There was no point where I thought we can back off."
New Zealand's nine wins make it the most successful nation in the event since the official World Championships began in 1974. Hamish Bond and Eric Murray won the event six times, Nathan Twaddle and George Bridgewater also won in 2005.
The current world champions aren't done at this regatta just yet, they now jump into heat three of the Men's Eight, just before 2am tomorrow NZT.
Oli Welch and Ben Taylor after winning their second world title in the Men's Pair.
There was huge expectation for the opening race of the day, the first quarter-final of the Women's Single Sculls, with New Zealand's Kathryn Glen lining up against Olympic champion Karolien Florijn and her would-be successor, Lauren Henry, from Great Britain.
"I didn't feel too nervous about it," says Kathryn. " I knew that it was them for the top two spots and then myself, Brazil, and the Czech going for that third position into the semis."
Florijn, who took a two-year break after the Paris Games, had clear water over Henry by the first 250m, and nearly two lengths at the 500m. The gap closed over the middle K and Henry had the lead with 400m to go. Florijn, who has been managing a back injury, tapped out at that point, Henry crossing in 7.14.82. Florijn was an easy second in 7:29.79.
Kathryn, who originally had to pull out of the Women's Quad in May with a stress reaction in her rib, finished fifth (7:43.65).
After the heat, she'd identified the need "to be braver" in her middle K.
" I definitely felt like I was being brave…I tried to attack from the very start… I couldn't have given it much more, I guess everyone out there is just a bit faster."
Kathryn now heads to the C Final at 8.15pm tonight NZT.
Kathryn Glen lined up in the first race of the day in the Women's Single Sculls against Olympic champion Karolien Florijn and Great Britain's Lauren Henry.
Katie Lush, competing in her first senior World Championships, is one step closer to achieving her goal after finishing third in the B Final of the Women's Pair with Juliette Lequeux. They finished ninth overall.
" I love being out there racing. I love the thrill of it. I love the training…the grind," says Katie. "It's been a dream of mine to be a professional athlete, go to the Olympics."
Her goal is clear in the run-up to qualification for LA 2028.
"I want to close that gap between where [leading crews] America and Romania are. So that's a good challenge for the next 12 months. This season, stepping up, being in that kind of mid-pack, maybe not quite towards the top end, but being there is like, 'Okay, let's keep going.'"
New Zealand finished in 7:07.51, behind Germany (7:02.87) and Australia (7:06.34).
Katie Lush (str) and Juliette Lequeux in the Women's Pair: For Katie, a ninth-place finish is one step closer to her goal of getting to the Olympics.
Ben Mason and Finn Hamill were fourth in their B final of the Men's Double Sculls, finishing 10th overall.
It's been a frustrating season.
" I'm definitely the strongest I've ever been. I'm arguably the fittest I've ever been. But the rowing part of it just isn't there," says Finn. "We sort of found something quite strong [in the quarter-final] and were feeling good off the back of that for the semi but then it just didn't click. It was just hard work to be honest."
Ben and Finn finished in 6:13.22, behind the Sinkovic brothers from Croatia (6:08.67), Portugal (6:11.44) and Germany (6:11.82).
"It felt better today, but again just not quite there," says Finn. "But we are still in that Olympic qualifying zone so that's a positive."
Ben Mason (str) and Finn Hamill on their way to a fourth-place finish in the B Final. The speed is there but they haven't been able to get it consistently through the season.
Andy Hay
Andy Hay is a freelance producer, writer and Maadi Cup-winning coach. He was cox of the world champion New Zealand eight of 1982 and '83. He is NZ Olympian #446.
