News

James Cracknell becomes oldest Boat Race winner at 46

Posted April 07, 2019 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Cambridge rowing crew, with left James Cracknell, 2nd left, in action against Oxford during The Boat Race on the River Thames in London, Sunday April 7, 2019. The 165th annual Boat Race traditionally fought out between Oxford and Cambridge university rowing crews. (Adam Davy/PA via AP) The Associated Press

LONDON (AP) - James Cracknell became the oldest winner of the Boat Race at age 46 on Sunday when Cambridge beat Oxford by one length in the 165th edition on the River Thames.

The double Olympic gold medalist - a Peterhouse College masters student - is eight years older than the previous record holder, 1992 Cambridge cox Andy Prober.

"On the start I thought, 'I've missed this,'" Cracknell told the BBC. "The first few minutes were great, but they just didn't drop. To be honest the endurance wasn't a problem. If I had any doubt it would have been my sprinting. I just made sure I stuck it in and hopefully we had enough in the bank."

Cracknell has recovered after suffering a traumatic brain injury when he fractured his skull in a cycling accident in Arizona in 2010.

"In the history of the Boat Race, no one will ever do that again - absolutely no way," said Cracknell's former Olympics crew mate Matthew Pinsent. "In that hospital in Phoenix, if you'd said he would win the Boat Race, at that point he was doing well to walk again."

Before the Cambridge men won for the third time in four years, the university's women's team beat Oxford for a third year in a row.

"There's nothing like this," said Cambridge stroke Lily Lindsay, who has competed for the United States. "Training alongside my teammates has been unbelievable. It's been a pleasure."

___

More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Cambridge's James Cracknell celebrates with his medal after the Men's Boat Race on the River Thames, London, Sunday, April 7, 2019. (Adam Davy/PA via AP) The Associated Press

Cambridge celebrate winning the Men's Boat Race on the River Thames, London, Sunday, April 7, 2019. (Adam Davy/PA via AP) The Associated Press

Cambridge, left, and Oxford boats during The Boat Race on the River Thames in London, Sunday April 7, 2019. The annual Boat Race traditionally fought out between Oxford and Cambridge university rowing crews. (Adam Davy/PA via AP) The Associated Press

Cambridge, top, hold a significant lead on the Oxford boat during the Women's Boat Race on the River Thames in London, Sunday April 7, 2019. Cambridge went on to win the annual Women's Boat Race traditionally fought out between Oxford and Cambridge university rowing crews. (Kirsty O'Connor/PA via AP) The Associated Press

Cambridge women rowing team celebrate winning over Oxford after the Women's Boat Race on the River Thames in London, Sunday April 7, 2019. Cambridge won the annual Women's Boat Race traditionally fought out between Oxford and Cambridge university rowing crews. (Jonathan Brady/PA via AP) The Associated Press

Article Comments

Article Categories
Content Providers Nation and World News

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.