Winckless announces retirement

Twice former world champion and 2004 Olympic medallist Sarah Winckless has announced her decision to retire from rowing.

“I’ve had a wonderful time in the sport. I’m really proud of what I have achieved but I know in my heart that now is the time to go”, said Winckless.

“I have put my life and soul into my sport and I’ve had some great highs because of it. Staying on for the London Olympic Games would have been a big attraction but I hope to be able to stay in the sport and contribute in other ways”, she added.

David Tanner, GB Rowing Performance Director said: “Sarah has played a huge part in the emergence of GB Women’s rowing as a world force in the past ten years and can look back with great pride on her Olympic medal in Athens and two world titles in 2005 and 2006.”.

Winckless took up rowing at Cambridge University and has had a successful career in the sport. She made her Great Britain senior world championships in a women’s eight in 1998, finishing eighth. She went on to take fourth place in the women’s quadruple scull in 2002 and was 0.3 seconds off a medal in fourth place in the same boat in 2003.

In 2004, Winckless teamed up in a double scull with Elise Laverick and the duo produced a strong world cup season before going on to win Olympic bronze in Athens.

Winckless, who has worked part-time throughout much of her rowing career, has been a strong squad member often representing the needs of her fellow athletes as an athletes’ representative. She was part of the BOA’s committee which designed the 2008 Olympic kit to be more athlete friendly. Winckless has also been a charity campaigner to raise awareness and funds for those affected by Huntington’s Disease.