Redgraveready for glory
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The British team for the World Championships on Lac Aiguebelettes near Chambery in Eastern France in September has a fresh-faced, post-Olympic look.
The 35-year-old Steven Redgrave, looking as relaxed and confident as in any of the 18 years he has been in the British team, will race in the coxless four with his partner in gold since 1991, Matthew Pinsent, and James Cracknell and Tim Foster.
Cracknell said: "I have not won a major race since my junior gold in 1990 and in this crew you learn exactly how much you have to do at certain times in the race.
"I am surprised at how fresh I'm feeling sometimes. But then of course winning is much easier than losing. We may not have the highest cruising speed but no one can match our change of pace in a 40 stroke burst." The four made their competitive debut in Munich in May and has won all seven races since.
The coxless pair of Bobby Thatcher and Ben Hunt-Davis has finished second all summer. But the combination has proved a revelation, having been born out of a coxed four. The four was a man short at Munich and the pair raced to make up the programme. Taking second place, they feared this might be a fluke in the unfair conditions, but repeated it in Paris where the conditions were tricky but equal and then did it again at Lucerne to tie on points in the World Cup.
They travel to the championships with genuine hopes of a medal in an event where Britain, in the form of Redgrave, has been on the rostrum for the last 10 years.
Two women's crews of high class have emerged during the season: a coxless pair of Cath Bishop and Dot Blackie, and a double scull of Gillian Lindsay and Miriam Batten. It is to be hoped that each will train on after second places in Paris and fourth places in Lucerne.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments