Sarah Winckless

Sarah Winckless
Personal information
Born 18 October 1973
Reading, Berkshire, England

Sarah Winckless (born 18 October 1973)[1] is a former British rower. She won a bronze medal in Double sculls with her partner Elise Laverick at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, and was twice world champion, in 2005 and 2006.

Early life and education

Winckless was born in Reading[2] and began rowing while at Cambridge University, where she studied Natural Sciences at Fitzwilliam College.

Career

Winckless made her debut for Great Britain in the women's eight at the World Championships in 1998 and finished eighth. She then transferred to sculling, finishing ninth in the double at the 2000 Olympic Games. She was in GB quadruple scull crews that narrowly missed out on the medals at the 2002 and 2003 World Championships, finishing fourth both times. She teamed up with Elise Laverick for the double scull from 2004 on, producing good results in the world cup season before taking Olympic bronze in the 2004 Games held in Athens.[2] She returned to the squad for the 2005 and 2006 world championships, winning with Rebecca Romero, Frances Houghton and Katherine Grainger in 2005 and Debbie Flood, Houghton & Grainger in 2006.[2] She was unable to compete in 2007, due to injury, but returned to the GB team for the 2008 Olympic Games, racing in the Women's eight.[2]

She announced her retirement from rowing in April 2009.[2]

Personal life

Winckless is a campaigner for Huntington's Disease charities, having tested positive for the gene mutation while she was at university.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "Birthdays". The Guardian (Guardian New & Media). 18 October 2014. p. 57.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Olympian Winckless quits rowing". BBC Sport, Rowing. BBC. 27 April 2009. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  3. ↑ Wood, Cathy (1 February 2011). "Olympian Sarah and her brother took a test ...". Mail Online. Retrieved 18 October 2014.