New Zealand rowers Ben Taylor and Oliver Welch capped a remarkable first season together by winning gold in the men’s pair at the world rowing championships in Shanghai.
The Avon Rowing Club duo surged to an early two-metre lead over European champions Romania and never looked back, crossing the line in 6:37.87 with Romania five seconds adrift and Switzerland close behind.
Taylor, 26, and Welch, 22, only had their first race together at the New Zealand champs in February but have quickly risen to the top, following a World Cup win in Varese and silver in Lucerne.
