Milda VALCIUKAITE Interview

Youth in Focus – May 2013 

Rowing is in Milda Valciukaite’s blood. Both Milda’s mother and father were rowers and the 18-year-old Lithuanian is coached by her dad. Milda began rowing as a 13-year-old. Three years later she raced in the women’s single sculls at the World Rowing Junior Championships, finishing seventh. The next year Milda became a junior World Champion in the women’s double sculls (with Leva Adomaviciute) and she followed it up with a second junior World Champion title in 2012 along with an A-final finish at the World Rowing Under-23 Championships. Milda’s success is just the start of a rowing career she has every intention of progressing.

I love to row because… now I can’t imagine my life without it. I am just used to the people and the environment surrounding me. I have goals which inspire me and keep me rowing.  

If I could have one super power it would be…extra stamina I think! But seriously: I would like to be able to stop all natural disasters in the world.

Before a race I always… talk a lot with my coach/dad. He inspires me and helps to concentrate my thoughts in the right direction.

First 20 strokes or final 250m? I do like sprints, but the first 20 strokes are more enjoyable for me, because I am full of energy and still very concentrated on what I am doing.

In the future I want to… be a great athlete, reliable friend, caring wife and sincere person. That’s all.

My dream crew would be…It is a really difficult task to choose! My favourite crew at the 2012 Olympics was the British women’s double sculls, but if I had to make a crew it would be a quad with Anna Watkins, Julia Michalska, Fie Udby Erichsen and Elisabetta Sancassani.

My favourite subject at school is… I finished school last year and my favourite subject over the last years was mathematics! My (university) studies now are closely related to mathematics.

I would love to race at…Rio de Janeiro, of course!

… motivates me the most. My dad motivates me the most. Not only him, but also people who work hard for their success and set their goals.