Athletes in Poznan: Anna Goodale

But winning the women’s eight is the main thing on her mind. World Rowing talked to Goodale about the Beijing Olympics and subsequent adventures.

World Rowing: How did you get into rowing?
Anna Goodale: Actually rowing found me.  When I went to college, at my first day on campus, someone tapped on my shoulder and said that I looked as someone who should try rowing. I love water, I like team work and it was immediately a perfect fit, I was naturally good at it.  It was such a difference for me because I had been playing basketball and soccer but was not that good at it.  It’s difficult to sit on the side and watch your team mates win.  Rowing meant an amazing change for me; I moved from the one at the bottom of the team to the one at the head of the team!

WR: You are the 2008 World Rowing Female Crew of the Year.
AG: It is an incredible honour.  Part of me still cannot believe it.  I do what I love every day, it’s such a privilege!  I was disappointed not to be there to receive the award with my team (in Paris last year).  During my break I was rock climbing in Thailand and wanted to cut off the world for a while.  I only checked my emails the day before the ceremony, too late to be in time but I was with them in spirit.

WR: What did you do after your Olympic Champion win in the eight at the Olympics?
AG: I love travelling. I took a break and travelled for eight months with my brother through Asia. I visited Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.  I needed that break, I needed to step away from the intensity of training. That break was perfect for me to realise I wasn’t ready to quit rowing.  It would not have been the same if I hadn’t taken that break. I came back mid-March, spent two weeks with my family and in April I started rowing again.

WR: How did you prepare for these championships?
AG: I first had to work on getting back in shape, so I jumped in a single scull but I’m not that much of a sculler. My body is not used to that symmetric pulling and I got a rib injury.  I worked on land, which was what I really needed, during a month and a half to recover from that injury. This also meant I was only back in the boat at the end of May.  Fortunately, it’s like riding a bike and when you put that much determination in it and have such good team mates, it works out.

WR: Your line-up here is different from last year.
AG: Yes, there are new young athletes pushing us in the boat. This group of girls have a different mentality but also a very positive one.  We bonded very quickly.  Both the stroke and the cox are new.  The cox, Katelin Snyder, just graduated (from university) and is doing a very good job.  The stroke, Katherine Glessner, is also very young, and has never stroked before but it’s a natural position for her.

WR: What are your expectations for these Championships?
AG: As I said, it’s a new crew and it’s also a new year; we want to do our best.  You can take from what you learned but you have to add up to it and look forward. We are strong girls; we have speed but still a lot of work to do.  I don’t really know what our potential is; we will go as fast as we can.  When I’m in the boat, I focus on my rowing and don’t look around; I saw some boats at training and everybody looks good to me.  We’ll just do our best!

WR: What are your longer term plans?
AG: We’ll see. We have a very strong group but the line-up might change again, you never know.  We take one step at a time.  I would get too wound up if I looked further.  I need to focus on the day.

WR: Is your family here in Poznan to support you?
AG: Unfortunately, it’s the first World Championship where my parents couldn’t come. You know, 14 members of my family travelled to Beijing to support me.  I couldn’t imagine doing what I’m doing without the support of my family.