Peter Reed (rower)
Encyclopedia
Peter Reed MBE
(born 27 July 1981 in Seattle, United States) is a British Olympic rower. Reed has achieved two gold medals and two silver medals in the World Championships, and in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he earned a gold medal in the Men's coxless four.
, Gloucestershire
and attended Cirencester Deer Park School
.
Reed is a Lieutenant
in the Royal Navy
. In 2001, whilst training as an officer on board HMS Exeter
, he used an ergometer for the first time — and promptly posted the fastest time in the Royal Navy’s annual fleet-wide fitness competition.
Reed then took up rowing in his second year of university in 2002, whilst studying mechanical engineering at the University of the West of England
, to become a naval engineer. The following year, in 2003, coached by Fred Smallbone, he became a successful Boat Club President.
In 2004, Reed won a place at the University of Oxford
to attend a two-year MSc course in engineering. During this time, he trained at the Oxford University Boat Club
(OUBC) under coach Sean Bowden, where he earned the nickname "The Commander". He was selected in both years for the Blue Boat
to race against Cambridge
in the annual Boat Race. Defeat in 2004 was followed by victory in 2005, in the much-documented "heaviest-ever Boat Race crew". The crew won by 2 lengths in a time of 16 minutes 42 seconds.
In 2005, Reed and his Oxford strokeman, Andrew Triggs Hodge
, won GB senior pairs trials (together they have won every year since), and following the retirement of Matthew Pinsent
and James Cracknell
were selected by coach Jürgen Gröbler
to row alongside Alex Partridge
and Steve Williams
MBE, in the new Great Britain Coxless Four.
Unbeaten for 27 consecutive races until Lucerne 2007, the British Four won gold at all three World Cups in 2005 and 2006, and finished both seasons by becoming World Champions.
Reed continued his training to represent Great Britain at the 2008 Summer Olympics
in Beijing. After a difficult early season, in which his teammates Tom James
and Andrew Triggs Hodge
picked up injuries, the first-choice four raced together for the first time in Poznan in the final World Cup event of the season, finishing second. The GB four then dominated their heats and semi finals at the Olympics Beijing. In the final, however, the Australian four lead for most of the way. Only a dramatic push by the British boat in the closing stages made the difference; they won the nail biting final to become gold medallists in a time of 6 minutes 6.57 seconds, beating the Australian four by 1.28 seconds.
He stands 6 feet 6 inches tall and was reported in 2006 as having the largest recorded lung capacity (11.68 litres). Originally due to return to full-time naval duties after returning from Beijing but he confirmed on 6 November 2008 that he had been given permission to continue training for the 2012 Summer Olympics
in London.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(born 27 July 1981 in Seattle, United States) is a British Olympic rower. Reed has achieved two gold medals and two silver medals in the World Championships, and in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he earned a gold medal in the Men's coxless four.
Biography
Reed was born in Seattle, but his family moved to England several months later. He was raised in NailsworthNailsworth
Nailsworth is a town in Gloucestershire, England, lying in one of the Stroud Valleys in the Cotswolds. It has a population of around 6,600 people and lies on the A46 road....
, Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean....
and attended Cirencester Deer Park School
Cirencester Deer Park School
Cirencester Deer Park School is a Comprehensive Secondary school in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England.The school was founded in 1966, and combined the Secondary Modern with the Grammar School. It is situated at the top of Tetbury Hill, an area which previously was the site of a World War II...
.
Reed is a Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
. In 2001, whilst training as an officer on board HMS Exeter
HMS Exeter (D89)
HMS Exeter was a Type 42 destroyer, the fifth ship of the Royal Navy to be named Exeter, after the city of Exeter in Devon.Exeter was the first of the slightly modified 'Batch 2' Type 42 destroyers. This was a mid-build consideration with her later sister ship, HMS Southampton sporting a similar...
, he used an ergometer for the first time — and promptly posted the fastest time in the Royal Navy’s annual fleet-wide fitness competition.
Reed then took up rowing in his second year of university in 2002, whilst studying mechanical engineering at the University of the West of England
University of the West of England
The University of the West of England is a university based in the English city of Bristol. Its main campus is at Frenchay, about five miles north of the city centre...
, to become a naval engineer. The following year, in 2003, coached by Fred Smallbone, he became a successful Boat Club President.
In 2004, Reed won a place at the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
to attend a two-year MSc course in engineering. During this time, he trained at the Oxford University Boat Club
Oxford University Boat Club
The Oxford University Boat Club is the rowing club of the University of Oxford, England, located on the River Thames at Oxford. The club was founded in the early 19th century....
(OUBC) under coach Sean Bowden, where he earned the nickname "The Commander". He was selected in both years for the Blue Boat
Blue Boat
The Blue Boat is the highest level boat representing the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge in the Universities' annual rowing clash on the River Thames: The Boat Race...
to race against Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
in the annual Boat Race. Defeat in 2004 was followed by victory in 2005, in the much-documented "heaviest-ever Boat Race crew". The crew won by 2 lengths in a time of 16 minutes 42 seconds.
In 2005, Reed and his Oxford strokeman, Andrew Triggs Hodge
Andrew Triggs-Hodge
Andrew Triggs Hodge MBE is a British rower and an Olympic and double World Champion.- Education :...
, won GB senior pairs trials (together they have won every year since), and following the retirement of Matthew Pinsent
Matthew Pinsent
Sir Matthew Clive Pinsent CBE is an English rower and broadcaster. During his rowing career, he won 10 world championship gold medals and four consecutive Olympic gold medals, of which three were with Steve Redgrave...
and James Cracknell
James Cracknell
James Cracknell, OBE is a British rowing champion and double Olympic gold medalist and adventurer. Cracknell is married to TV and radio presenter Beverley Turner; they have three children. In the New Year Honours List, 2004, he was appointed OBE for services to sport...
were selected by coach Jürgen Gröbler
Jürgen Gröbler
Jürgen Gröbler is a German rowing coach, formerly the Olympic team coach of East Germany and later of Great Britain...
to row alongside Alex Partridge
Alex Partridge
Alex Partridge is a British rower, and an Olympic silver medallist- Education :Partridge started rowing at Monkton Combe School, Bath, and attended Oxford Brookes University to study Technology Management...
and Steve Williams
Steve Williams (rower)
Stephen David Williams OBE is an English rower and double Olympic champion.In April and May 2011, Steve will be taking part in Richard Parks'...
MBE, in the new Great Britain Coxless Four.
Unbeaten for 27 consecutive races until Lucerne 2007, the British Four won gold at all three World Cups in 2005 and 2006, and finished both seasons by becoming World Champions.
Reed continued his training to represent Great Britain at the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
in Beijing. After a difficult early season, in which his teammates Tom James
Tom James
Thomas James MBE is a Welsh rower, Olympic Champion, and victorious Cambridge Blue.-Education:James was educated at The King's School, Chester, where he took up the sport of rowing...
and Andrew Triggs Hodge
Andrew Triggs-Hodge
Andrew Triggs Hodge MBE is a British rower and an Olympic and double World Champion.- Education :...
picked up injuries, the first-choice four raced together for the first time in Poznan in the final World Cup event of the season, finishing second. The GB four then dominated their heats and semi finals at the Olympics Beijing. In the final, however, the Australian four lead for most of the way. Only a dramatic push by the British boat in the closing stages made the difference; they won the nail biting final to become gold medallists in a time of 6 minutes 6.57 seconds, beating the Australian four by 1.28 seconds.
He stands 6 feet 6 inches tall and was reported in 2006 as having the largest recorded lung capacity (11.68 litres). Originally due to return to full-time naval duties after returning from Beijing but he confirmed on 6 November 2008 that he had been given permission to continue training for the 2012 Summer Olympics
2012 Summer Olympics
The 2012 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the "London 2012 Olympic Games", are scheduled to take place in London, England, United Kingdom from 27 July to 12 August 2012...
in London.
Honours
Reed was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2009 New Year Honours.World Championships
- 2011 BledBledBled is a municipality in northwestern Slovenia in the region of Upper Carniola. The area, within the Julian Alps, is a popular tourist destination.-History:...
– Silver, Coxless Pair (Bow) - 2010 KarapiroLake KarapiroLake Karapiro is an artificial reservoir lake on the Waikato River in the North Island of New Zealand. The lake, near Cambridge and some south-east of the city of Hamilton, was created in 1947 to store water for the Karapiro Power Station, the last of the eight hydroelectric power stations on the...
– Silver, Coxless Pair (Bow) - 2009 PoznanPoznanPoznań is a city on the Warta river in west-central Poland, with a population of 556,022 in June 2009. It is among the oldest cities in Poland, and was one of the most important centres in the early Polish state, whose first rulers were buried at Poznań's cathedral. It is sometimes claimed to be...
– Silver, Coxless Pair (Bow) - 2007 MunichMunichMunich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
– 4th, Coxless Four (2 seat) - 2006 EtonDorney LakeDorney Lake is a purpose-built rowing lake in the United Kingdom. It is located at grid reference near the village of Dorney, Buckinghamshire, and near the towns of Windsor and Eton, close to the River Thames. The lake is privately owned and financed by Eton College, who have spent £17 million...
– Gold, Coxless Four (2 seat) - 2005 GifuGifu, Gifuis a city located in the south-central portion of Gifu Prefecture, Japan, and serves as the prefectural capital. The city has played an important role in Japan's history because of its location in the middle of the country. During the Sengoku period, various warlords, including Oda Nobunaga, used...
– Gold, Coxless Four (2 seat)
World Cups
- 2011 LucerneLucerneLucerne is a city in north-central Switzerland, in the German-speaking portion of that country. Lucerne is the capital of the Canton of Lucerne and the capital of the district of the same name. With a population of about 76,200 people, Lucerne is the most populous city in Central Switzerland, and...
– Silver, Coxless Pair (bow) - 2011 MunichMunichMunich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
– Gold, Coxless Pair (bow)
- 2009 BanyolesBanyolesBanyoles is a city of 17,309 inhabitants located in the province of Girona in northeastern Catalonia, Spain.The town is the capital of the Catalan comarca "Pla de l'Estany"...
– Gold, Coxless Pair (bow) - 2008 PoznanPoznanPoznań is a city on the Warta river in west-central Poland, with a population of 556,022 in June 2009. It is among the oldest cities in Poland, and was one of the most important centres in the early Polish state, whose first rulers were buried at Poznań's cathedral. It is sometimes claimed to be...
– Silver, Coxless Four (3 seat) - 2008 LucerneLucerneLucerne is a city in north-central Switzerland, in the German-speaking portion of that country. Lucerne is the capital of the Canton of Lucerne and the capital of the district of the same name. With a population of about 76,200 people, Lucerne is the most populous city in Central Switzerland, and...
– 8th, Coxless Four (3 seat) - 2008 MunichMunichMunich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
– Gold, Coxless Four (3 seat)
- 2007 LucerneLucerneLucerne is a city in north-central Switzerland, in the German-speaking portion of that country. Lucerne is the capital of the Canton of Lucerne and the capital of the district of the same name. With a population of about 76,200 people, Lucerne is the most populous city in Central Switzerland, and...
– Silver, Coxless Four (2 seat) - 2007 AmsterdamAmsterdamAmsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
– Gold, Men's Eight - 2007 LinzLinzLinz is the third-largest city of Austria and capital of the state of Upper Austria . It is located in the north centre of Austria, approximately south of the Czech border, on both sides of the river Danube. The population of the city is , and that of the Greater Linz conurbation is about...
– Gold, Coxless Four (2 seat)
- 2006 LucerneLucerneLucerne is a city in north-central Switzerland, in the German-speaking portion of that country. Lucerne is the capital of the Canton of Lucerne and the capital of the district of the same name. With a population of about 76,200 people, Lucerne is the most populous city in Central Switzerland, and...
– Gold, Coxless Four (3 seat) - 2006 PoznanPoznanPoznań is a city on the Warta river in west-central Poland, with a population of 556,022 in June 2009. It is among the oldest cities in Poland, and was one of the most important centres in the early Polish state, whose first rulers were buried at Poznań's cathedral. It is sometimes claimed to be...
– Gold, Coxless Four (3 seat) - 2006 MunichMunichMunich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
– Gold, Coxless Four (2 seat)
- 2005 LucerneLucerneLucerne is a city in north-central Switzerland, in the German-speaking portion of that country. Lucerne is the capital of the Canton of Lucerne and the capital of the district of the same name. With a population of about 76,200 people, Lucerne is the most populous city in Central Switzerland, and...
– Gold, Coxless Four (2 seat) - 2005 MunichMunichMunich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
– Gold, Coxless Four (2 seat) - 2005 EtonDorney LakeDorney Lake is a purpose-built rowing lake in the United Kingdom. It is located at grid reference near the village of Dorney, Buckinghamshire, and near the towns of Windsor and Eton, close to the River Thames. The lake is privately owned and financed by Eton College, who have spent £17 million...
– Gold, Coxless Four (2 seat)
- 2004 PoznanPoznanPoznań is a city on the Warta river in west-central Poland, with a population of 556,022 in June 2009. It is among the oldest cities in Poland, and was one of the most important centres in the early Polish state, whose first rulers were buried at Poznań's cathedral. It is sometimes claimed to be...
– 11th, Men's Pair
Other
- Combined Services Sportsman of the Year 2008
- President's Award from the Sports Journalists' Association
- Senior Pairs Trials winner 2008
- Senior Pairs Trials winner 2007
- Senior Pairs Trials winner 2006
- Senior Pairs Trials winner 2005
- Combined Services Sportsman of the Year 2005
- Royal Navy Sportsman of the Year 2005