Alasdair Leighton-Crawford

Alasdair's passion for rowing came after watching the Boat Race when he was eight years old.

He finished 4th in the lightweight single at the Linz World Cup in June 2007 and 6th at the Amsterdam World Cup. At the 2007 World Rowing Championships he came 7th in the lightweight single and raced in the lightweight quadruple scull at the 2008 Poznan World Cup finishing 3rd. 

He was aged fourteen when he began sculling at Emanuel School and joined Thames Rowing Club shortly afterwards so that he could spend his holidays rowing with other juniors from the club.

On leaving school, Alasdair rowed for Southampton University where he studied Geography. He graduated in 2003 and after spending the winter teaching skiing in Switzerland he focused his efforts on becoming an international lightweight. In the interlude he worked in sports marketing. He joined Tideway Scullers' School initially because it was closer to work and home.

After winning the National Championships in the lightweight single in 2005 he decided to train full–time in order to have the best possible chance of breaking into the team. Alasdair was lucky to be coached by Alan Inns, who transformed his sculling technique rapidly and brought Alasdair up to the mark on training and discipline in the sport. He was also fortunate to be amongst good company counting Tim Male as a training partner.

In February 2006 a back injury nearly ruled Alasdair out for the season. However with his coaches' commitment, help from the club and a recovery programme from Robin Williams, he was given a chance to seat race for a seat in the LM4x.

Alasdair is Lottery Funded through UK Sport.