Sydney Olympic fours to reunite

The first BearingPoint Rowing World Cup of 2005 at Eton in Great Britain is likely to have the added attraction of a re-run of the celebrated men’s fours race from the Sydney Olympics.

The race became a focal point when Sir Steve Redgrave of Great Britain went out to successfully win his fifth Olympic gold medal in a closely fought race with Italy and Australia. The final winning margin was a mere 0.38 of a second over Italy with Australia only a second back from Italy.

After Sydney Redgrave retired from rowing along with team mate Tim Foster. Stroke Matthew Pinsent then joined up with bowman James Cracknell in the pair winning World Championship gold in 2001 and 2002 and then coming back to the four for the Athens Olympics.

Pinsent retired after winning his fourth Olympic gold at Athens. Cracknell is the only member who has stated he may continue to row competitively although he is currently taking a year off from the sport to pursue other sporting interests.

The race, which is planned for a shorter 500 metre distance, is being organised by Redgrave who has got word that Italy and Australia are interested. “Already Steve’s getting really motivated by it,” Pinsent told Sportinglife.com. “And I’m thinking ‘Oh my God, I’m going to put my back out.'”

The first BearingPoint Rowing World Cup in 2005 is to be raced on Eton’s Dorney Lake from 26 – 28 May, 2005.

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