1) Name: Andréanne
Surname: Morin
Place and year of birth: Quebec, Canada, 1981
Training location: London, Ontario
Home club: Montreal Rowing Club

2) When and why did you begin rowing?
I started rowing as a junior at the Montreal Rowing Club following a ski accident that left me fearful on the ski hills. I progressed quickly, representing Canada at the Junior World Championships in Ottensheim, Austria in 1998. Early on, I got hooked: I love the feeling of pushing my physical limits.

3) What are the best and worst things about this sport?
Best thing about my sport: the team, the camaraderie and the idea of working hard towards a common goal. I think that is something unique to our sport. The worst things about my sport: Always feeling tired and living away from my family and friends.

4) Who has been the greatest inspiration to you in the world of rowing?
I am inspired by all athletes that consistently stay no. 1. Having the ability to stay a leader in your event for years and years is truly impressive and the signs of a phenomenal athlete.

5) What are your secret ambitions both in and outside of rowing?
My ambition in rowing probably isn’t that secretive to any sportswomen/ sportsmen around- Win Olympic gold in 2012! Outside of rowing, I am looking forward to finishing off my Law Degree at Université de Montréal and becoming a lawyer. An ideal legal career for me would still involve sport, whether it be sport arbitration or include an aspect of the Olympic movement.

6) You find an old blade washed up on the banks of Lucerne. As you wipe it clean, the “Genie of Lucerne” appears and offers you three wishes to improve rowing in your country. What would you wish for?
Living in Canada and practicing a summer sport, my wish for the Genie of Lucerne would be to find a way for our lakes to not freeze in winter. It would be fabulous to be on the water 12 months a year! I also wish for rowing to begin at an earlier age in Canada. Most rowers come to rowing late in life, once in university and after a first sport. It would be exciting to see rowers develop and discover the sport at a younger age and excel in high school (like it is in Europe.) My third and final wish for the Genie of Lucerne would be to have a larger rowing community. Hockey is our top sport in Canada and I recognize that rowing will never become that popular but I’d love to see rowing be more mainstream. If there was a buzz around the sport, how it teaches the values of work ethic, camaraderie and perseverance.

7)Would you encourage your children to row?
Of course! I would like for my (future) children to row. I think our sport teaches some incredible values that are applicable in all spheres of life.

8) Which is the most beautiful place that you have rowed and where would you most like to row?
Without a doubt, the Rotsee is my favorite place to race! Its now my 7th time racing in Switzerland and I still enjoy hearing the cowbells at the start line.

8+) + If you could ask someone from the world of rowing a question, what would it be and to whom? We will do our best to ask them on your behalf!
My question is not targeted to anyone in particular, but I am curious to know what goes through my competitor’s minds in the last 250m of a race.

Chiare e fresche Idee by LOEX:-Settore Comunicazione Attiva.