Jessica LEYDEN Interview

Rising Star – March 2014

Jessica Leyden began rowing when she was 13 as a part of Project Oarsome, set up by Sir Steve Redgrave. Three years later, in 2011, she competed for the first time at the Junior World Championship in her home country, Eton Dorney (GBR). After two seventh place finishes at the junior championships in the women’s quadruple sculls, she switched into the single in 2013. Coming from behind at the 500 metre mark, Leyden sprinted her way through the finish line to become the Junior World Champion. A student at Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School, Leyden is this month’s Rising Star.

*Note: From April 2014 Rising Star will combine junior and under-23 athletes.

I love to row because… primarily I really enjoy the day-to-day training and the racing most of all. I like having a full day and, when training, the feeling that I have improved something that will help me get faster.

In the future … I would love to compete and achieve gold at the Olympics, like many people. But to get there I want to keep getting faster, enjoy what I do, and complete goals to help me along the way.

First 20 strokes or final 250m? I’d have to say the final 250, all or nothing to the line.

I think it’s between surprising others and myself, and trying to get better in any way possible …are my biggest inspirations.

Sweep or scull? I don’t have a real preference between sweep and sculling, or where I sit in a boat.

Homework or exams? I prefer homework to exams as I can fit it in whenever possible and spend as much time as I like on it.

If I could only row in one boat for the rest of my life it would be a… I’d have to choose my single. I don’t think anyone would put up with rowing in a crew with me for the rest of their life! I love going in my single and racing knowing I can do what I want when I want.

A typical day is … up at 7:30 to go to school, straight to rowing after school and then home for tea and any work I have to do.

The best thing about racing at the Junior Worlds is …  knowing that you couldn’t have prepared yourself any better to go out and have the best race you can.