The Australian men's K4 1000 crew has beaten a high-class field at a World Cup event in Germany as it seeks to defend the gold medal won at the London Olympics in 2012.
It was a new-look combination ahead of the Rio Games, with only Jacob Clear from the London crew in the boat.
But it boasted two-time Olympian and 2008 gold medallist Ken Wallace in the front position, with World U23 K2 1000 champions Riley Fitzsimmons and Jacob Clear filling the remaining positions in the boat for the event in Duisburg.
Wallace said it was an incredible result for such a new combination.
"That's a great start to the season. It's our first race together. I think it's about our fifth time in a boat together, so to start off like that, I'm looking forward to the year to come," Wallace said.
The gold medal provides a headache for selectors, who have London crew member Murray Stewart available to join the team later this year.
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