Kiwi rowers set impressive Olympic benchmarks at the World Champs last night

Eric Murray and Hamish Bond have dominated in the pair at the world championships to increase their favouritism for a second straight Olympic gold.

New Zealand has had two new world champions crowned on a triumphant opening day of finals at the rowing world championships

Rowing NZ head into unique territory tonight as their campaign to qualify all 14 Olympic-class boats begins at the world championships in Aiguebelette, France.

Mahe Drysdale is buzzing ahead of the world championships, starting in France tomorrow night.

Emma Twigg won her maiden title last August in an unbeaten season. Then, in a shock move for an athlete at the zenith of her career, she put working aspirations ahead of sporting ambitions.

The tinge of excitement remains intact for Mahe Drysdale as he ponders a fourth Olympic Games in Rio.

19-year-old Zoe McBride from Dunedin tonight backed up her world under 23 title of last year by repeating it, winning the lightweight double scull crown with Jackie Kiddle in Bulgaria.

The steps towards world domination continue for Rowing New Zealand.

Rowers Grace Prendergast and Kerri Gowler picked up New Zealand's first medal in the Olympic class boats at the World Cup in Lucerne and the pair are eager to push further.

For taxpayers who value sporting pride as much as business profit, Rowing New Zealand's achievements in the past decade have delivered a spectacular return on investment.

Issues with sewage, garbage and algae contamination have plagued Rio de Janeiro's waterways and will be an added challenge for Kiwi athletes.

The coach of the St Bede’s rowers who were initially barred from the Maadi Cup claims one of the boys was snubbed by Rowing NZ because they did not want further media attention.

The New Zealanders collected six medals at the Varese regatta in Italy early yesterday, including four gold, and that without the golden bankers.

The New Zealand rowing team have had a superb outing at the World Cup event in Italy, with another golden haul of medals.

Zoe Stevenson is in a club of three at this weekend's World Cup regatta in Italy.