James Cracknell

James Cracknell, OBE (born 5 May 1972) is a British rowing champion and double Olympic gold medallist.

Related Topics:
OBE - 5 May - 1972 - British - Rowing - Olympic

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He began rowing whilst attending Kingston Grammar School and rowed at the Junior World Championships in 1989 and 1990 – winning a gold medal in the latter. Moving into the senior squad, Cracknell had numerous World Championship appearances – but no medal wins. He qualified in the double scull for the 1996 Summer Olympics, but fell ill and was unable to race. In 1997, he won a seat in the men's coxless fours, with Steve Redgrave, Matthew Pinsent and Tim Foster. With this crew, he won the rowing World Championships in 1997, 1998 and 1999 (with Ed Coode replacing the injured Foster), and finally the gold medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics.

Related Topics:
Kingston Grammar School - 1989 - 1990 - 1996 Summer Olympics - 1997 - Steve Redgrave - Matthew Pinsent - Tim Foster - 1998 - 1999 - Ed Coode - 2000 Summer Olympics

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With Redgrave having retired, Cracknell joined Pinsent in the coxless pairs, winning the World Championships in 2001, when they also won the coxed pairs, and 2002. However, in 2003 a disappointing season was capped by a failure to win the World Championships, and Pinsent and Cracknell were shifted into the coxless four, with Steve Williams and originally Alex Partridge, with Ed Coode replacing the injured Partridge for the 2004 Summer Olympics. This crew won the gold medal in Athens, beating world champions Canada by 0.08s.

Related Topics:
Steve Williams - Alex Partridge - Ed Coode - 2004 Summer Olympics

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Cracknell is married to TV and Radio Presenter Beverley Turner; their son, Croyde, was born in 2004.

Related Topics:
Beverley Turner - 2004

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In the New Year's Honours List published 31 December 2004 he was created an OBE for services to Sport.

Related Topics:
31 December - 2004 - OBE

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