See Henrik's original Starting Five questions here!
1. How have you prepared differently for this quadrennial than previous cycle(s)?
The four years have gone differently, just by virtue of being more experienced. I've approached each practice with more knowledge and more experience and as a result, more purpose. I've also been more relaxed this time around, not sure if I've mellowed out, or because I'm more confident in my rowing or what.
2. Did anything completely unexpected happen at the Games, or do you have any memorable or unusual stories from your previous Olympiad?
Yes...
3. Any/Most important advice for first time Olympians?
Treat it like any other race, and just prep and go through it like any regatta. Then soak it up and celebrate after the fact.
4. What was your state of mind like sitting in the starting block of your first Olympic race?
I was super nervous. I get nervous before all races, but particularly the heat of the Olympics. After that it was much more rote, and just got into the rhythm of the competition.
5. What's different this time around/what will you do differently at this Olympics?
Nothing. I've been to so many competitions, I'm going to treat this one exactly the same, and just do everything I can do to be as ready to race as possible
6. Do you feel older/better/wiser/stronger/other?
I'm more physically fit, I'm more experienced, I feel wiser, better etc. I'm the most prepared I've ever been for a competition and excited to see where it goes!
7. Does the phrase "the Olympics" ring differently the next time around?
Not too much. Both times we spend four years thinking about it. This time I just know how everything works here which is good.
8. As far as regattas go, comparing the Olympics to different races (Worlds, Lucerne), is it a better or different regatta, or just higher stakes?
Just higher stakes, other than that it feels very similar, except maybe the noise level. Far more spectators!
DATE OF BIRTH: 9/26/87
HEIGHT: 6’5”
WEIGHT: 208
BEGAN ROWING: 2001, Pittsford Crew
HOMETOWN: Pittsford, N.Y.
BIRTHPLACE: Pittsford, N.Y.
CURRENT RESIDENCE: Princeton, N.J.
HIGH SCHOOL: Pittsford Mendon High School
UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION: Harvard University, Applied Mathematics, Economics, 2009
CLUB AFFILIATIONS: USRowing Training Center – Princeton
National Teams: SENIOR: 2009-2016, UNDER 23: 2008, JUNIOR: 2004-2005
International Results: 2016 WORLD ROWING CUP II, Fourth, men's four, WORLD ROWING CUP I, First, men's four, 2015 WORLD ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS, Seventh, men's four, WORLD ROWING CUP II, First, men's four, 2014 WORLD ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS, Second, men's four, WORLD ROWING CUP II, Third, men's four, 2013 WORLD ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS, Third, men's four, WORLD ROWING CUP III, First, men's four, 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES, Third, men's four, 2011 WORLD ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS, Eighth, men's eight, WORLD ROWING CUP, Fourth, men's eigbt, HENLEY ROYAL REGATTA, Semifinals, Grand Challenge Cup, 2010 WORLD ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS, Fifth, men's four, 2009 WORLD ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS, First, pair with coxswain, WORLD ROWING CUP, Seventh, men's eight, 2008 WORLD ROWING UNDER 23 CHAMPIONSHIPS, First, men's eight, 2007 HENLEY ROYAL REGATTA, First, Ladies' Challenge Plate, 2005 WORLD ROWING JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS, First, men's eight, 2004 WORLD ROWING JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS, Fifth, men's eight, 2003 CANAMMEX REGATTA, First, men's eight, CANAMMEX REGATTA, First, men's four
National Results: Finished fifth in the pair at the 2016 National Selection Regatta I...Won the pair at the 2014 National Selection Regatta 2...Won gold in the four and pair at the 2013 USRowing National Championships…Won the pair at the 2013 National Selection Regatta 2...Finished second in the pair at the 2012 National Selection Regatta 1...Finished sixth in the pair at the 2010 National Selection Regatta 3…Finished second in the pair at the 2010 National Selection Regatta 2…Won gold in the eight at the 2009 USRowing National Championships…Won gold in the varsity eight at the 2007 Eastern Sprints.
Personal: Henrik was named First-Team All-Ivy League in 2007…He enjoys Scrabble, basketball and pool…He was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, and moved to America in 2000…He speaks English, Danish, Swedish, German and some French…He lists his most memorable sporting achievement as sweeping the Harvard-Yale Regatta in 2008 and 2009…The most influential people in his sporting career have been his parents because they always supported Henrik and helped him through any troubles he had in sports…He lists his personal hero as his mother, who first signed him up for rowing…She is currently in Denmark, working as a Danish military doctor, and has served in Iraq and Afghanistan…Henrik is married to Abra Amwake…They have a dog named Kona.
Comments | Log in to comment |
There are no Comments yet
|
row2k's Olympics coverage is brought to you by:
row2k's Olympics coverage is brought to you by: