Umpires in the Spotlight

Welcome to the first edition of “Umpire in the Spotlight.”  In this feature, we ask Umpire(s) a series of questions and report their answers.  We hope that you will find it informational.  If you have ideas for questions or umpires to put under the spotlight, please forward them to krisgrudt@rowpnra.org

For this newsletter we are featuring two very accomplished umpires who have in the past year taken on new leadership roles in FISA:

[PHOTO src=”135492″ size=”mediumLandscape” align=”right”]

 

Victoria Aguirregomezcorta (VICTORIA), who currently lives in Argentina, was recently appointed as the FISA Continental Representative for the Americas. Victoria is the first woman to hold this position.

[PHOTO src=”135752″ size=”mediumLandscape” align=”right”]

 

Angela Alonso Fernandez (ANGELA) from Spain is the newest member of the FISA Umpiring Commission.

How long have you been an Umpire?

ANGELA: Until now, I had not realized I have been an Umpire for… twenty-five years!

VICTORIA: I have been a national umpire for almost 23 years, and I´ve held the international license since 2001.

How did you discover rowing?

ANGELA: I always say that rowing is like a “family business”, so I grew up surrounded by rowers and coaches but, now that I am thinking about it, no one in my family was an umpire.

VICTORIA: As a child, and living in Tigre, Argentina, a town where 13 rowing clubs settled, I had my first contact with the sport going out on family excursions along the many rivers. Having brothers in the national team and a father who was an international umpire and rowing administrator, it was very difficult to change the topic during dinner conversations.

Why did you become an Umpire?

ANGELA: I have to say that as an athlete I was not very good. So, one day rowing with my cousin who was part of the Spanish team in that moment, she told me that it would be better if I become an umpire (you know, maybe you are not a good athlete, but you can work for the sport in other ways)… And here we are.

VICTORIA: My father was also an international umpire. Once I decided to leave the national team, he encouraged me to become an umpire so that I would keep my contact with the sport.

How long did you want to become a FISA Umpire?

ANGELA: After umpiring a couple of years I decided that I love it, so becoming a FISA umpire was the natural goal and a perfect way to improve my skills too.

VICTORIA: Since I got my national license, I felt I wanted to go further.

What do you remember about the FISA Umpiring examination?

ANGELA: I passed my exam in Seville 2002. At that moment some of my friends were part of the Spanish rowing team and, at the same time I was doing my practical exam, they were competing for a spot in the Final A so I was trying to do the exam and, simultaneously, paying attention to the commentators in order to get information about the races. Finally, they won a silver medal and I past my exam so everything was ok.

VICTORIA: I took the examination twice. My first attempt was at St Catherine´s, and I was really nervous. I felt it was going to be very hard and I was not ready to succeed. I remember Patrick talked to me afterwards and encouraged me to try again. So I did, two years later, but this time I was very confident and managed to pass it.

What is you most memorable Umpiring Experience?

ANGELA: The U23 World Championships in Plovdiv 2015, it was a key point in my umpiring life, I met fantastic colleagues there that now are my friends and I started to enjoy even more the competitions.

VICTORIA: One of my most memorable experiences is being at the start tower in Lucern, a snapshot of the spectators trying to swim to the start bridge and cheering loud, and suddenly, the quietness after the Two Minutes only disturbed by the cow bells on the slopes on the right.

What was the most challenging decision you ever had to make as an umpire and what would you do differently now, if anything?

ANGELA: It is always challenging to show a red card because you know the hard work the athletes have done to arrive to that competition. Therefore, when I have to do it I am always completely sure about my decision.

VICTORIA: The most challenging decision I had to take was to exclude a crew. It was difficult because I knew the effort they had made to be in that regatta and that they had raised funds to travel there. The only thing I would do differently is not regret because of my feelings.

What regatta that you have never worked would you like to work? Why?

ANGELA: The Olympics, as for the rowers that is the aim of all the people related with the sport.

VICTORIA: Certainly the Olympic Games Regatta, as it is a once in a lifetime opportunity that acknowledges your experience.

Why should someone become an Umpire?

ANGELA: It is a wonderful way of being in touch with the sport, and you will see the competition from other side, a very close one and with a completely different perspective. In addition, it is an excellent excuse for travelling and making friends all around the world.

VICTORIA: Not only is it a means to stay connected and updated, but it also provides the tools to deliver a proper event.

What is the best advice you ever received?

ANGELA: That I will be learning all my umpiring life.

VICTORIA: I was once advised that when in doubt, it was not an offence to say I would like to check against the Rule Book, rather than giving a confusing and wrong reply, because if it was written, it should mean it was accessible to all parties.

What recommendation would you give a new Umpire?

ANGELA: Keep calm and study a lot.

VICTORIA: To be their own models

What do you do to relax when you are not umpiring?

ANGELA: Recently I have discovered the CrossFit training so I try to train as often as I can.

VICTORIA: I love to cook and walk along the riverside in Tigre.

Tell us something about you that not many people would know

ANGELA: I practiced skydiving for a while.

VICTORIA: I refused to take up rowing for a long time and used to play field hockey before I changed my mind at the age of 20.