James McRae
Encyclopedia
James McRae is a World Champion and Olympic rower. McRae grew up in Murray Bridge South Australia
where he rowed for the Murray Bridge Rowing Club. McRae is a South Australian Sports Institute
(SASI) Scholarship holder and was coached by Adrian David now former SASI head rowing coach and ex Romanian international oarsman.
McRae competed at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in the men's quad scull. McRae began his international career by competing with Matt Bolt in the double scull at the 2005 Junior World Rowing Championships
. McRae's siblings Jessica and Anna are Australian rowers who have held various SASI scholarships and Australian titles. Anna McRae has also competed internationally for Australia.
In McRae's first competition at the Beijing Olympics, the Australian quad scull broke the world record to finish first in their heat. McRae competed with Daniel Noonan, Brendan Long and Chris Morgan
. McRae and his crew subsequently finished second in the semi-final thus securing a place in the Olympic finals.
At the finals of the men's quad sculls the Australian crew including McRae was unable to capitalise on their earlier world record form and finished 4th.
Since the Beijing Olympics McRae has undertaken a number of public speaking and promotional events. In April 2010 McRae took part in an 'Active April' event involving Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio personalities Tony McCarthy and John Kenneally.
McRae has continued to excel at rowing and contested the 2010 World Rowing Championships to obtain bronze in the men's quad scull. In 2011 he won the Interstate men's single scull and open men's quad scull at the Australian Championships and Interstate Regatta.
In an upset win, McRae rowing in the Australian heavy weight men's quad scull defeated the German crew to win gold at the 2011 World Rowing Championships. Due to a costly mistake in the German boat the Australian crew took the lead in the last few metres of the race to take out first place.
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
where he rowed for the Murray Bridge Rowing Club. McRae is a South Australian Sports Institute
South Australian Sports Institute
The South Australian Sports Institute is a specialised educational and training institution providing coaching for elite junior and senior athletes in a number of sports....
(SASI) Scholarship holder and was coached by Adrian David now former SASI head rowing coach and ex Romanian international oarsman.
McRae competed at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in the men's quad scull. McRae began his international career by competing with Matt Bolt in the double scull at the 2005 Junior World Rowing Championships
Junior World Rowing Championships
The World Rowing Junior Championships is an international rowing regatta organized by FISA . A rower or coxswain shall be classified as a Junior until 31st December of the year in which he reaches the age of 18. After that date, he shall be classified as an Under 23 rower...
. McRae's siblings Jessica and Anna are Australian rowers who have held various SASI scholarships and Australian titles. Anna McRae has also competed internationally for Australia.
In McRae's first competition at the Beijing Olympics, the Australian quad scull broke the world record to finish first in their heat. McRae competed with Daniel Noonan, Brendan Long and Chris Morgan
Chris Morgan (rower)
Chris Morgan is a world champion rower from Adelaide, South Australia.Morgan began his athletic career as a competitive walker, however he took up rowing after taking part in a rowing machine competition held by the Adelaide University Boat Club during the University of Adelaide Orientation Week...
. McRae and his crew subsequently finished second in the semi-final thus securing a place in the Olympic finals.
At the finals of the men's quad sculls the Australian crew including McRae was unable to capitalise on their earlier world record form and finished 4th.
Post Beijing
In October 2009 McRae was awarded life membership of the Murray Bridge Rowing Club for being the club's most successful rower and 1st Olympian since the Murray Cods of 1924.Since the Beijing Olympics McRae has undertaken a number of public speaking and promotional events. In April 2010 McRae took part in an 'Active April' event involving Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio personalities Tony McCarthy and John Kenneally.
McRae has continued to excel at rowing and contested the 2010 World Rowing Championships to obtain bronze in the men's quad scull. In 2011 he won the Interstate men's single scull and open men's quad scull at the Australian Championships and Interstate Regatta.
In an upset win, McRae rowing in the Australian heavy weight men's quad scull defeated the German crew to win gold at the 2011 World Rowing Championships. Due to a costly mistake in the German boat the Australian crew took the lead in the last few metres of the race to take out first place.