Peter Hackworth

Who is Peter Hackworth?

Peter Hackworth is a British coxswain.

Born in Islington, London, Hackworth was educated at St Paul's School, in Barnes, where he learnt to cox, following his brother who had coxed the school 1st VIII before him. At junior level, he represented Great Britain in the 1999 Coupe de la Jeunesse and the 2000 Junior World Championships.

Hackworth went up to study Modern Languages at Oriel College, University of Oxford after finishing school in 2000. He joined the Oxford University Boat Club, coxed Isis in 2001 and was subsequently selected for the Oxford Blue Boat in the 2002 Boat Race against Cambridge University.

Hackworth's rival in the Cambridge Blue Boat was Eleanor Griggs, who had coxed at St Paul's Girls' School. They had been friends whilst at school and the media focused on their close relationship in the run up to the race.

The 2002 race was the closest in years, and followed the controversial restarted race of 2001. Oxford became only the second crew in history to win having trailed at Barnes Bridge and on the outside of the final bend, echoing the win by the Oxford Blue Boat in 1952, some 50 years prior. The race was described as "amazing" by Sir Matthew Pinsent.