James Cracknell hits back at wife Beverley Turner and claims split was ‘long time coming’

James Cracknell, 46, became the oldest competitor in the historic Oxford v Cambridge Boat Race at the weekend.

The double Olympic rower was eligible to take part after enrolling on a Master of Philosophy degree in human evolution and has been staying in Cambridge during his studies.

Shortly after his triumph, James’ estranged wife, Beverley Turner, opened up about the reasons surrounding their split and said it was difficult to live with his “self-centred pursuits”.

James has now hit back at her claims and said their separation was “a long time coming” and had nothing to do with the Boat Race or his brain injury, which he suffered in 2010.

I realise there’s much more to life than mucking about in a rowing boat

James Cracknell

The Olympian told the Telegraph rowing is “easy” compared to marriage and said his sporting efforts “pays the bills”.

He said to the publication: “Now the race is over, I realise there’s much more to life than mucking about in a rowing boat.

“The last few months, with everything that has been going on at home, has put that into perspective for me.”

He continued: “Rowing and sport aren’t the most important things in life. But to [achieve in sport], you do have to be a single-minded person.”

James added: “There’s this perception that I’ve left my family to go off to Cambridge, selfishly, but that’s a little exaggerated. And while yes, it may seem selfish, it also pays the bills.”

Beverley spoke about her split with James in an article for The Times and claimed his family responsibilities took a back seat when he returned to Cambridge to study and race.

She said: “This endeavour had taken their daddy away from home for eight solid months. The kids needed to see that this enormous family sacrifice wasn’t entirely in vain.”

She continued: “James has spoken publicly about this latest feat, demonstrating to his children that you can do anything you set your mind to.

“He won’t mind me admitting that I consider that to be b******s — I wouldn’t want my children to view such an exit from familial responsibilities as something to aspire to.”

Beverley nursed James back to health after his devastating brain injury in 2010, where the double Olympic rower was struck off his bike by a truck in Arizona, United States.

The mother-of-three spoke about the strain James’ injury had on their relationship.

Beverley said doctors warned her his personality might be on “Planet James for a while”.

She said: “They basically made it sound as if I would be married to a drunk teenager. And they were right.”

Beverley wrote in the publication she had been “missing” her husband for the past eight years.

James and Beverley announced their split in a statement at the end of March.

It said: “We can confirm that sadly we separated last year.

“Together, we remain committed to our amazing children, they are our absolute priority and wish people to be kind and mindful of this.”

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