Olympic Profile: Sophie Hosking (From Your Local Guardian)

Olympic Profile: Sophie Hosking

10:39am Thursday 26th July 2012 in Olympic Profiles

Name: Sophie Hosking Age: 26

Event: Rowing - Lightweight Women's Double Scull with partner Kat Copeland

Location: Eton/Dorney - Rowing venue in Windsor Time: July 29, 10.20am, Lightweight Women's Double Sculls Heat One.

Local Link: Member of London Rowing Club on Putney Embankment and lives in Wimbledon

Best: Won gold at the 2011 World Cup in Munich, Germany.

Career High: London 2012 will be Sophie first Olympic Games

Sporting Background: Sophie started rowing at the age of 14 at Kingston Grammar School after gaining a sport scholarship. She joined Durham University in the autumn of 2004 and graduated in Chemistry and Physics in the summer of 2007. Her father was a World Champion rower in the lightweight eight in 1980. Her mother also has a keen interest in sport and is an avid fan of AFC Wimbledon.

She Says: "I think the team we have around us is reflected in the standard of rowers. We have a world-class set-up and the staff’s dedication is second to none, it creates a really positive environment every day. I’d say it’s one of the best, if not the best, in the world and there are a lot of countries who look on enviously at our set-up."

We Say: "In last year's World Cup in Munich, Sophie and crewmate at the time, Hester Goodsell, won gold in the lightweight women's double sculls so she is in with a great shout of winning gold this year."