British Squad Members Compete in National Trials

Two-time 2001 world champion James Cracknell has got his own back on fellow world champion Matthew Pinsent ? who recently out-erged him by one tenth of a second – by taking the fastest time at the British squad assessment trials held in Lincolnshire, Great Britain this week-end.

The whole of the British national squad was present for the second leg of the national trials, part of the winter assessment program for the team.

Cracknell, who is a former sculler, took the field by over 2 seconds in front of second Ian Lawson. Matthew Pinsent rowed in 44 seconds behind his 2001 pairs partner and finished in 17^th position.

Also part of the field were men’s four 2001 world champions Toby Garbett who took third place, Ed Coode, in sixth position, Richard Dunn and Stephen Willliams who rowed in 18^th and 19^th respectively.

The women’s trials saw the victory of Olympian Guin Batten followed closely by worlds eight crew-mate Frances Houghton. The two finished nearly ten seconds ahead of number three, Catherine Grainger, and seem to be greatly benefiting from their training abroad.

Alison Mowbray and Elise Laverick, fifth in the women’s quad at the World Rowing Championships earlier this year took fourth and fifth position.

In the lightweight category Tim Male took the men’s race and Tracy Langlands the women’s.

Helen Casey and world champions Jo Nitsch and Sarah Birch had to satisfy themselves with third and fourth places.

The trials took place on Saturday 16^th and Sunday 17^th December and were held over a five kilometre course on the river in Boston, UK. The next trials session is to take place in February.