Matthew Pinsent graduated from St. Catherine’s College at Oxford, where he captained the Oxford Rowing Club and led the Oxford eight to victories in 1990 and 1991 over Cambridge. Since that time, he has not failed to be at the top stage of international rowing, partnering Stephen Redgrave through much of his career, primarily in the coxless pairs, though later in the coxless fours. Beginning in 1991, Pinsent and Redgrave won an Olympic gold medal or a World Championships gold medal at every edition through Redgrave’s retirement after the 2000 Olympic Games. Pinsent then began rowing with James Cracknell. Pinsent and Cracknell formed an unbeatable pair winning the world title in 2001 and 2002 in coxless pairs and in 2001 in the coxed pairs.
Pinsent won Olympic gold medals at the 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004 Olympics – coxless pairs in 1992 and 1996 with Redgrave, and coxless fours in 2000 and 2004, with Redgrave and Cracknell (Tim Foster in 2000 and Ed Goode in 2004 rounded out the four). His record of four Olympic rowing gold medals is surpassed only by Redgrave and Elisabeta Lipa-Oleniuc, both with five. Pinsent also claims 14 championships at the Henley Royal Regatta, all in the coxless pairs or fours, failing to win since 1990 only in 1992. Pinsent retired from competitive rowing after the 2004 season, and Sir Matthew Pinsent was knighted shortly thereafter.
Great Britain