Jessica Eddie was part of the composite crew which owned the water on the day of the Womens Head winning by 19 sec and coming close to the course record. Jess has been a perminant fixture in the GB team for the past few years and is always proud to wear the "Purple". The following is an interview to let people to get an insight into UL's rowing star.
What was your first rowing club?
Jess: I first learnt to row at Durham ARC.
Can you remember the first race you ever won?
Jess: I do! It was against a boy, in a little regatta in Durham when I was about ten, I remember that I won a Mars bar......all other prizes have been downhill since then.
Which is your favorite rowing course?
Jess: I think Varese is one of the best places to row, when it's flat that is!
What was the greatest experience you have had racing?
Jess: The repechage of the 2007 world championships was probably one of the best races I have ever had. We had to come within the top 5 crews in the final to qualify for Beijing, after finishing 3rd in our heat things weren't looking too good. Lining up against the World Champions and record holders (USA) and China (hosts of the Olympics....) odds were stacked against us to even make the final (top 2 qualifying from the rep). We blasted out of the blocks and led the Americans to 500m, eventually coming second to them by 1.3 seconds.(oh and our final wasn't too bad either, snatching a Bronze and qualifying for the Olympics at the same time!)
Who has been the greatest influence in your rowing career?
Jess: I would say the girls in the British team, I row and train with everyday have the greatest impact on who and where I am now in the world of rowing.
What is the craziest training session that a coach has told you to do?
Jess: Our chief coach made the whole of the sweep squad go out in our singles one day, and he would call "up" and we had to rate between 27-32.he would decide how long we went for, but not tell us, anywhere from 30seconds-4minutes. Oh and we had to race each other!
Who is the athlete you most admire in World Rowing at the moment?
Jess: I think even within the British rowing team we have an amazing array of talent. Katherine Grainger is probably the most inspirational member of our team, she is one incredibly talented rower. I recently got to race with her in the Women's head, and it was a great experience, the way she could jump in and row better than any of the sweep girls even though she'd not rowed since last year was crazy.
Well done to Jess in all she has achieved and good luck to her in New Zealand and London 2012. |
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