Impressive breakout performances this year from a relatively young
crew with a win at World Cup 3 and a solid performance which secured a
win in the B Final for a 7th place finish at the Olympic Games. Plus an
unmistakable (“signature”) rowing style and that standout classic Norse
look. Gotta love it.
A favorite of the US Women’s Quad, easily recognized walking around
the boat yard and rowing village in his black-rimmed glasses or dancing
at beach volleyball games. Also the only tall dark and handsome member
of his crew of blondes, rowing in the four seat. Strong performances in
the 2012 World Cup season, narrowly missed out on a medal in the men’s
eight at the Olympic Games, placing 5th.
A first time Olympian, rowed bow seat in the Kiwi quad that placed
7th at the Olympic Games. For some reason Kiwi boatmate Matthew Trott
was reluctant to introduce us in Eton.
Young rising talent in a very competitive event, performed strongly
for his Olympic debut to place fourth in the men’s double at the Olympic
Games. Looked amazing in the bright yellow and green uniforms for Team
Lithuania. There’s also something exciting about not having a clue how
to pronounce someone’s name.
A class gentleman and outstanding athlete. With a rocky 2012 World
Cup season, the 2008 Olympic Champion rebounded with a silver medal
performance at the Olympic Games. Is a 49er’s fan, and pulls off the 5
o’clock shadow better than anyone else on the lake.
Absolute legend. 6-time Olympian. Competed in the men’s double at
the 2012 Olympic Games at the age of 40, but doesn’t look a day over 25.
Strong, gutsy racing with outrageous partner, Luka Spik, during the
2012 Olympic Regatta to win bronze. Retiring this year as the #6 male
rower in the world–but will always have a place on any List I ever write
if he decides to come out of retirement.
A new addition to the light four that placed 11th at the 2011 World
Championships. Won what was hands-down my favorite race of the 2012
Olympic Regatta. Amazing come-from-behind victory over the favored
Danish boat in the closing meters of the race to win first ever rowing
Gold for South Africa. Beyond epic. Could not find a sweeter,
friendlier crew at the Games.
Stunning. Two-time Olympian. Placed 6th at the Olympic Games for Australia in the men’s eight.
Stroked the men’s four to a bronze medal at the Olympic Games.
Adonis on earth–sometimes, as is also a licensed pilot. Two-time
Olympian, Washington Husky, American hero.
The strong, silent type; ever-improving and was a serious contender
for an A final position at this year’s Olympic Games with bronze medals
at World Cups 1 & 2 in 2012. Dominant in the B Final, finishing 7th
overall. End the embargo!
I first met Moe on a glacier in New Zealand in 2010 and have never
forgotten the impression made by his incredible baritone speaking voice.
The largest member of the heralded British men’s eight, easily spotted
in the five seat with trademark shaved head and dazzling smile. The
team’s only practicing Muslim,
balances elite training with his faith. Won bronze at the 2012 Olympic Games.
Described by coaches as “the Formula-One car of racers”, rowed in the
young Canadaian four that placed ninth at the Olympic Games. French
and Canadian in background, defines the word
heartbreaker and could easily transition into a boy band lead following retirement from rowing. After he graduates from college, of course.
Longtime fixture of Swiss men’s rowing, four-time Olympian. Lists
“modelling” as a hobby on his World Rowing profile, and rightly-so.
Consummate gentleman and wonderful human being, retiring from
competitive rowing this year after finishing 12th at the Olympic Games.
One of only two male rowers to have appeared on every List since 2008.
Someone who consistently
every time he walked by I asked out loud: “who is
that?”
And it was always the same person. First-time Olympian rowed two seat
in the Italian men’s four that placed eighth at the Olympic Games.
¡Hola!
Two-time Olympian for Mexico, placed 14th in the single at the 2012
Olympic Games. Made another top 20 list earlier this year which also
included Antonio Banderas… not too shabby.
Adored without exception by every single member of the USA Women’s
Team for his quiet demeanor, genuine kindness, sideways smile,
unintelligible mumbling and his being unafraid of 20 women chanting
“shirt off!” when he walks in to a room. Owner of the world’s best set
of hamstrings, rowed bow seat in the United States men’s eight that
qualified at the Final Olympic Qualifier in Lucerne and only just
missed out on medaling at the Olympic Games, placing fourth.
Double Olympic silver medalist in the men’s single, has enjoyed great
success over the past four years with numerous World Cup and World
Championship medals including golds at 2012 World Cups 1 & 2. Rows
an orange boat with orange oars, and wins races rowing 3/4 slide. What
else do you need to know?
Tough, strong, handsome and as sweet as they come. An alternate for
the 2008 Canadian Olympic Team, used his experience and talent to claim
the number three seat in the men’s eight for Canada, which set a new
world record at the second World Cup, and won silver at the Olympic
Games.
2011 #1 – had a career performance at the 2012 Olympic Games
with a brave race for medals in the final of the men’s single, only
just missing bronze in the closing meters of the race. It is an
absolute pleasure to know him; one of the rowing community’s kindest
souls. It’s hard not to love a big Swede with dimples! One of only two
men to have appeared on every List since 2008, and the only one to have
always appeared in the top 5.
A talented and modest oarsman with a beautiful stroke, Alex embodies
all that is best about our sport. What I found most compelling about
Alex this year was in speaking to his teammates, how highly they all
regard him and how much respect they have for him. Polite, thoughtful,
and completely genuine – after serving as an Olympic alternate in 2008,
rowed in the bow seat of the British flagship four that set a new world
record at World Cup 2 and won gold at the 2012 Olympic Games.
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