New Zealand women's pair at Marina Bay Reservoir

World Rowing met up with them in Racice, Czech Republic, and met up with them again today in Singapore.

See what they had to say about the World Rowing Junior Championships and Youth Olympic Games in Racice, and what they have to say now that they are racing in Singapore.

PART I – INTERVIEW IN RACICE, CZECH REPUBLIC

World Rowing: How were you selected for the Youth Olympic Games and when will you go to Singapore?
Eve: The selection for the YOG was part of our junior team selection. The pair was selected out of the seat racing within the four and Beatrix and I were the fastest pair combination. We were selected in May. We will go to Singapore straight from here on Tuesday [9 August].

WR: How did you combine the preparation for both events? What do you think it will be like to move from a bigger boat into a smaller boat?
Eve: Our main priority was the Junior World Champs. Now that we have raced here we can focus on what comes next.
Bea: We did a bit of training in the pair in the lead up to the Junior Champs as well, but the last time we sat in a pair was a month ago. Racing in the small boat is definitely a bit harder but we will have two training days there and with our current fitness and the racing we have done we should be able to pull it together.

WR: What are your goals for Singapore?
Bea: we focused so much on this Junior Champs that we did not have much time to think about the next event. But we will be all ready once we get there and we always want to do our best. So we don’t go to Singapore to participate only, we hope to medal there as well.

WR: How do you think you will cope with the change from 2000m to 1000m? Will you have any special preparation in the lead up?
Eve: 1000m will definitely be different. We’ll have to do a bit of speed work and do some starts during the two training days.
Bea: We were fast at the start here, so hopefully that will help.

WR: What are your expectations for Singapore?
Eve: We are very keen to go there and it will be such an honour to go to Singapore and represent our country. I think it will be very cool to be with everybody from all the other sports, get to know different cultures, see how everybody else is doing things and preparing in sports and to meet new people.
Bea: I’m sure it will be great and lots of fun as well. It will be something different and very refreshing after a long time training in the four.

WR: Have you got any sporting heroes?
Eve: Usain Bolt. He would be amazing to meet.

World Rowing: What have you done since your medal in Singapore?
Bea: We had one day off in Prague to visit the city and then flew immediately in to Singapore.
Eve: Here we had one row a day, which means we only had three rows before our heat!

WR: You did not train specifically for 1000m. How was your first race over that distance?
Eve: It’s a lot harder than in the four!  And it was a little bit shaky at the start.  It’s also a bit weird as we only trained on 2k. We have to learn to be patient, it will get better. 
Actually we took a good start yesterday, it’s encouraging! 1k is also good fun in fact, the race is much closer.

WR: What is cool about Singapore?
Bea: The way everything is done is just amazing; it overpasses everything I expected.
Eve: Yes, and the volunteers, here are so helpful
Bea: and I must say I’m enjoying the heat because I know it will be cold when going back [to New Zealand].

WR: What is your favourite movie?
Eve: “Point Break” by Kathryn Bigelow
Bea: “The Blind Side” by John Lee Hancock

WR: What is your favourite car?
Eve: The old Beatle
Bea: A cool convertible Jeep

WR: What is your favourite music group?
Eve: Six60 (NZL band)
Bea: Same as Eve

WR: What do you want to be when you grow up?
Eve: Something in the Arts, not sure yet what exactly.
Bea: Physiotherapist

WR: In New Zealand it isn’t the holiday season but school time at this time of year.  How do you cope with it?
Bea: actually, I finished school and took one year off. I work a little bit and save money for University.  To become a physiotherapist, you have to go to University and it would not be possible while rowing in the junior team. I therefore decided to take my chance.
Eve: We have been training for three months before the Juniors and had school there.  Now, I’ll just jump in when I’m back.  Teachers are pretty supportive.