1) Name:Sarah
Sourname: Cook
Place and year of birth: Queensland, Australia 1985
Training location: Canberra, Australia
Home club: Sydney University Boat Club

2) When and why did you begin rowing?
I started rowing on my 15th Birthday, in the Talent Identification Program in Australia. The program aims to turn kids with the right physical attributes for particular Olympic Sports into elite athletes.

3) ) What are the best and worst things about this sport?
The fact that we have to train so hard, and focus on so many different areas – strength, power, endurance, technique, anaerobic/aerobic training. It can be hard to know how much time to dedicate to which aspect. However this is also a plus side of the sport, as it means that the train is varied and interesting and part of the challenge is in getting the mix right.

4)Who has been the greatest inspiration to you in the world of rowing?
It’s not a secret but my ambition is to win an Olympic Gold medal for rowing. I’d also like to explore rowing coaching after my career, as I think rowing is in my blood now, and I cant imagine a life without it in some form or another.

5) What are your secret ambitions both in and outside of rowing?
1. More Funding for elite sport
2. Bigger club programs that support both elite development pathways and rowing for enjoyment!
3. Some big/fun regattas e.g. similar to Henley or a big sprints regatta, something that gets the public out to enjoy rowing.

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?
Lucerne" appears and offers you three wishes to improve rowing in your country. What would you wish for? One would be for the national training centre to be re-located out of Canberra, especially during the winter! Possibly move to the Gold Coast in Queensland! Number two would be to remove 'ergo week's' from the national program – this occurs every three months to 'test' where we are at Number three would be… well I could get in trouble for that one!

7)Would you encourage your children to row?
I always encourage children to be active and do sport and enjoy it! I think rowing is a great sport for kids, especially in the school programs. However I don’t think they should start too young due to the nature of the injuries in rowing and the impact it may have on developing bodies.

8) Which is the most beautiful place that you have rowed and where would you most like to row?
Lucerne is definitely my favourite, everytime I go there it takes my breath away! Im very much looking forward to racing Bled this year, as I have never been there and hear it beautiful.

8+ If you could ask someone from the world of rowing a question, what would it be and to whom?
To any top level rower – what is your favourite sporting moment?

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