We have rounded the last bend of the four-year Olympic cycle and here we are in the all out sprint for Tokyo. So much remains to be settled between now and August 1. Will Mahé Drysdale regain his seat in the single scull? Will Hamish Bond remain in the yet-to-qualify New Zealand eight? Will the Sinković brothers pull off their hairbrained gamble to win consecutive Olympic golds in the double and pair? Will Jürgen Gröbler finish his flawless Olympic coaching career with one last gold, having coached crews to the top of the podium at every games since 1972 (bar the 1984 Eastern bloc boycott)? I could go on…
Whatever happens, the next seven months are sure to be packed full of national team selection battles, last gasp Olympic qualification attempts and clandestine world cup racing tactics. To help you keep up with all the action we have compiled all the important dates for your diary on page 14.
We have also used the fresh perspective that a new year brings to look back on the last 12 months in rowing and round up our top ten highlights from 2019. From James Cracknell’s win with Cambridge University in the Boat Race at the grand old age of 46, to Olli Zeidler’s World Rowing Championship win at the age of just 23, there has been a lot to talk about. Turn to page 32 to see our best moments of 2019.
Olli Zeidler is also our cover story this issue. Rachel Quarrell caught up with the young prodigy to reflect on his meteoric rise from rank beginner to world’s best in the space of 36 months. See the full interview on page 62. And to help with your own personal development, in this issue we have bought together our usual consortium of experts to help you break through the pain barrier, understand the often overlooked role of feet in rowing and explain the how and why of winter training.
We look forward to keeping you abreast of all the action in this Olympic year. Just don’t blink or you’ll miss it.