Martin Cross: Rowing Commentator

Posted March 26, 2019

Martin Cross needs little introduction – a lifetime student of the sport he is a multiple Olympian, record holder for the longest time spent on the GB Rowing team (18 years in case you’re interested) and now commentates for FISA at the World Rowing regattas. We discuss the Boat Race, the challenges facing the Olympic Rowing Programme, James Cracknell at Cambridge and two hilarious anecdotes in the same style of Martin’s book, Olympic Obsession.

Timestamps

0:00 Introduction and background in rowing

03:00 Pete Wells – choosing to row like Keith Moon

04:00 Olympic gender equality

07:00 Diversification in the Olympics – Indoor or Coastal rowing by 2028

12:00 Inclusivity for World Rowing – rowing is making fantastic strides in Paralympic Sport

21:00 James Cracknell at Cambridge

27:00 Boat Race Sponsorship ends this year – the Topolski Foundation

35:00 British National Championships – Strategy is driven by Andy Parkinson

46:00 The British Rowing change in performance director and chief coach is very different from Sir David Tanner. The waty coaches can relate to their athletes has changed – there are higher expectations about how you will be treated in sport.

50:00 Retention in the British squad is a massive issue

52:00 Employment law and sport – and the two most powerful interviews Martin wrote about Alex Partridge and Caroline Lind

56:00 World championships hot crews to watch for 2019

1:03:00 Steve Redgrave in China. China has been the graveyard of so many coaches.

The Anecdote – rowing in Sabaudia.

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