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Nor'West News: September 11, 2018

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NOR’WEST NEWS Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi<br />

Tuesday <strong>September</strong> <strong>11</strong> <strong>2018</strong> 15<br />

SPORTS<br />

Rapid rowing rise<br />

for talented teen<br />

• By Jacob Page<br />

FORMER ST Andrew’s College rower<br />

Ben Taylor is achieving his goals so<br />

quickly he’s having to create new ones.<br />

The 18-year-old, who<br />

rows for Avon, had an impressive<br />

world under-23<br />

championships in Poland<br />

where his coxed four took<br />

silver.<br />

He is now in Bulgaria<br />

with the New Zealand<br />

elite team for the world<br />

championships, which got<br />

under way over the weekend,<br />

in the reserve men’s<br />

pair with Joe Wright.<br />

“It’s been an unbelievable<br />

18 months,” he said.<br />

“I need to set new goals<br />

because I’ve achieved so<br />

many of my two-to-five<br />

year ones.”<br />

Taylor was part of the winning Maadi<br />

Cup squad in 2017 which not only<br />

brought back the top prize for the first<br />

time in the college’s history, but the<br />

Springbok Shield as well.<br />

Rowing is in Taylor’s blood, the last<br />

time the school raised the shield was<br />

when his father, Andrew, was in the boat<br />

34 years ago.<br />

Ben Taylor<br />

While Taylor is essentially injury-cover<br />

in Bulgaria he said he was still making<br />

the most of the elite environment.<br />

“It’s been very welcoming so far,” he<br />

said.<br />

“In training for the<br />

event, it’s been great to<br />

watch how some of the<br />

more experienced guys go<br />

about their business.’’<br />

Taylor said he had a<br />

bond with top Kiwi singlesculler<br />

and fellow former<br />

St Andrew’s College rower,<br />

Robbie Manson.<br />

“Robbie has been super<br />

helpful,” he said.<br />

“He doesn’t give you a<br />

lot of help but if you ask<br />

for it, he’ll make the time.”<br />

Taylor said his rapid rise<br />

had allowed him to realistically<br />

dream about being<br />

part of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.<br />

“I definitely wouldn’t have dreamed<br />

about that 18 months ago,” Taylor said.<br />

He said he wouldn’t mind what boat<br />

he was put into.<br />

“It doesn’t matter I’ve been looking at<br />

everything as an opportunity so far so<br />

I’ll try to make the best out of any situation.”<br />

TRACKSIDE<br />

MOTORCYCLE RIDERS<br />

EVENT <strong>2018</strong><br />

BRING YOUR BIKE,<br />

GET INVOLVED<br />

Limited spots available. Register<br />

via Facebook, or on the day for<br />

• The Art of Cornering<br />

• Slow Pro Handling Skills<br />

• New demonstrations<br />

FREE ENTRY<br />

Kickstarttrackside<br />

SATURDAY 22 SEPTEMBER <strong>2018</strong>, 9AM–3PM (RAIN OR SHINE)<br />

MIKE PERO MOTORSPORT PARK (RUAPUNA), 107 HASKETTS ROAD, TEMPLETON<br />

• Food and drink available from 9am<br />

• Motorcycle retailers and New Zealand<br />

Trucking Association onsite<br />

• Tyre and suspension information workshops<br />

• Competitions and prizes up for grabs<br />

• Visit ccc.govt.nz/kickstart for more details

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