Helena Olandi (Lightweight Women's President)
Squad
About Helena Olandi (Lightweight Women's President)
Where did you learn to row and who was your first coach?
Hughes Hall Boat Club.
What inspires you about sport?
Sport brings us together. It showcases the human experience at its essence, making us feel less alone in what we go through day-to-day. It inspires us to - and proves we can - exceed the limits we set for ourselves, and become the best version we can be, reminding us that when we do, amazing things can happen for both us, and those around us.
Explain your earliest memory of The Boat Race
I distinctly remember gazing in awe at this incredible show of power, grit, and devotion, through a pixellated TV screen from a couch in my little Alpine town. At the time, it felt like an unreachable world from mine, and it took a long time before I even dared to dream of being a part of it.
Do you relish in hours in the gym and miles in the dark, or do you live for race days?
There’s nothing quite like race day. But there’s something about that Tuesday morning, when it’s still dark, the waves are crashing, wind and rain hitting your face, and you are all there in a boat together, that ignites a fire in the soul!
What's the secret to managing elite-level sport with studying at one of the top universities in the world?
Surround yourself with people who believe in you and support you no matter what, hold them close, and be that person for others. It's your only time at life, so dream big, do what you love, and give it everything!
