Pinsent eyes fourth gold in four
LONDON, England -- British Olympic gold medallist Matthew Pinsent has confirmed that he and James Cracknell plan to concentrate their Athens efforts on the coxless four.
The duo were expected to compete as in the coxless pairs but poor results last year, culminating in a shock defeat at the World Championships in Milan has prompted a rethink by Great Britain coach Jurgen Grobler.
Pinsent, with three Olympic golds, did not rule out a parallel bid but admitted that he and Cracknell, who won gold in Sydney four years ago, will join Josh West and Steve Williams as a foursome.
"The top boat will be a four," he told BBC Radio Five Live. "But James and I will have to well in the qualifying." He added: "Our performance in 2003 in the pair wasn't especially good and obviously that's something that went into the decision."
Pinsent admitted he had talked to Sir Steve Redgrave, with whom he won two Olympic golds in the coxless pairs, about his decision.
Redgrave had been critical of suggestions that Pinsent and Cracknell should switch to the four but Pinsent said: "I talk to him as a friend and colleague every month or so and he thinks we should be trying a pair, but at the same time he wants us to win."
