Website generated and maintained by Ali Smith, PMHB Limited.  

Recent news stories of pupils and former pupils and rowing internationals at KGS

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

James Cracknell Backs Sponsored Row

Sophie Hoskins Wins 2012 Olympic Medal

Old Kingstonian Sophie Hosking and partner Kath Copeland won Olympic gold in sensational fashion to become GB’s first ever lightweight women gold medallists in the double scull.

At 1000 metres the pair were well placed, trailing the Greeks and being challenged by the Chinese, but they led at 1500 metres and from there they never looked like being caught, going out to clear water and simply destroying the opposition in a fantastic display of grit and determination and cheered to the echo by the huge crowds at Eton Dorney.

Fellow gold medallist Kath Grainger described Sophie as ‘hard as nails’ and a competitor who ‘takes no prisoners’, but KGS's latest Olympic gold medal winner, following in the mighty footsteps of the likes of SH Shoveller, Richard Dodds and James Cracknell, was overcome by tears as she spoke to the media and when the gold medal was placed around her neck, as, surely, were we all.

It was, she said, ‘something we’ve been working for for so long’. There were so many people to thank, she said, and she ‘couldn’t believe it had actually happened’.

It was good to hear John Inverdale, in his preview to the race, giving KGS such an honourable mention as the school which had produced both Sophie and James Cracknell, and we are all enormously proud of Sophie's glorious achievement on the most sensational day in the country's Olympic history.

The picture below is a press cutting from 2004 showing Sophie in the KGS girls eight which won the Schools Head of the River Race. Standing just behind her is rowing coach Sophia Christie.

Joao and Alex Selected for GB

Joao Harrison and Alex Browning won the pairs trial at British Rowing's Caversham lake on 15th July 2012 and were selected to row for GB in the match against France, in Gravelines. Alex and Joao were in the First VIII which was narrowly defeated at Henley and were in the J16 4- which won a stunning silver medal in one of the most prestigious events at this year's National Schools.

Former pupil, Olympic Gold medallist James Cracknell, OBE, backs the KGS Sponsored Row 2012. James began rowing while at Kingston Grammar School. He took part in the Junior World Championships in 1989 and 1990, winning a gold medal in 1990, before famously going on to win double Olympic Gold, 2000 and 2004, in the Men’s Coxless Fours.

James says: " I am proud to have been a member of Britain’s successful Olympic rowing team and that all started at Kingston Grammar School. Please support the KGS Sponsored Row 2012 and help raise money for two great causes – Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research and a new Boathouse for KGS."

Issy and Flo Win Gold for GB

Congratulations to Issy Dodds and Flo Blake-Parsons and their coach Cled on winning gold for GB.  The girls won their J16 GB France match  on 14 July 2013 in style, leading from the start.

This follows on from their gold winning performance at National Schools.  Fantastic performance, well done from all at KGSBC.