Ross, 34, teamed with Gavin Bellis to snare gold in the trunk and arms mixed double scull in France on early Friday morning, Australian Eastern Standard time.

They finished the 1000-metre race in four minutes and three seconds, edging out Great Britain (4.04) and France (4.06).

The pair booked their boat for the 2016 Rio de Janerio Paralympic Games in the process.

Ross’ father Alan watched a live stream of the world championships race in Aiguebelette from his Warrnambool home.

He was proud of his daughter’s efforts on the big stage.

“The whole family is absolutely ecstatic,” Alan said.

“I always get very nervous before a race.

“I spoke to her the night before the race and they were both in good spirits but they knew the race was going to be tough.”

Ross is now eyeing Paralympic success.

She won a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Games but missed out on a podium finish in London four years later.

“Rio is the next big goal,” Alan said.

“That is the one she is really wanting to win, which would just about complete her 10 years of rowing.

“We had a talk a couple of years ago when she was contemplating giving the sport up and I said to her at the time ‘you’ve achieved most things except a world championship’ and she decided to have a go.

“She has three gold in world championships now so she’s more than fulfilled her expectations.”

Ross and Bellis led at the 500-metre mark before their rivals wrested the momentum.

The Canberra-based pair responded in the dying stages to defend their world crown.

“They had a very strong race,” Alan said.

“They had a really good contest with Great Britain.

“It was neck-and-neck the whole way and I’d say Kathryn and Gavin’s experience got them over the line.

“In the last 100 metres they surged ahead.”

Ross told Rowing Australia said was humbled to stand on the dais a three-time world champion.

“It’s a phenomenal feeling to have won a third world championship,” she said.

“We knew it was going to be tough out there and it’s such an honour to be able to call ourselves three-times world champions.”

Ross and Bellis collected their first world championships gold in South Korea in 2013.

They backed up that effort in the Netherlands 12 months ago.

They’ve also won two world cups together.

Ross will return to Australia on September 9 as ramps up preparations for Rio Games tilt.