Antonia Galland
Squad
International Record
2023 World Rowing Under 23 Championships
2023 World Rowing Championships
2024 World Rowing Under 23 Championships
About Antonia Galland
Where did you learn to row and who was your first coach?
Ruderklub am Baldeneysee in Essen, Germany - Thomas Wichelhaus.
What inspires you about sport?
Personally, I am inspired by the idea of having to push your limits on a daily basis. The fact that you can never settle but that there is always more to gain, more to improve, is inspiring to me. I also enjoy the idea of meeting your full potential and achieving goals that you never thought were possible. Alongside that, the amazing people that I have met along the way inspire me to push myself not just for my own success but the success of the team.
Explain your earliest memory of The Boat Race
When my friend Elena von Müller raced in the Blondie Crew in 2021, I knew that I wanted to become part of The Boat Race experience. While I knew of the race before, it was seeing her race on the Tideway that made me believe that I should strive to achieve this dream myself. I have been actively watching all the racing and the media documentaries leading up to it since then.
Do you relish in hours in the gym and miles in the dark, or do you live for race days?
I personally like the German saying "der Weg ist das Ziel" meaning that the journey towards a goal is the reward within itself. While the race days are likely the most exciting part of this sport I enjoy the hours spent training together the most. Having the opportunity to become a little bit better everyday is rewarding in its own way. When you genuinely enjoy the journey towards a race, whatever may happen on race day is not the only thing that determines whether you can feel accomplished or not.
What's the secret to managing elite-level sport with studying at one of the top universities in the world?
I always felt like rowing has helped me do well in school and university. It not only forces me to stay organised and manage my time effectively, but it also provides hours during the day to focus on something completely different. Having that clear separation between my studies and my sport has allowed me to fully be present and focus on the task at hand.
