Nor'West News: September 11, 2018
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
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