Lauren Allegretti
Squad
About Lauren Allegretti
Where did you learn to row and who was your first coach?
Lucy Cavendish College, Richard Brierton.
What inspires you about sport?
I’m inspired by sport because it pushes people beyond what they thought possible, both physically and mentally, while teaching lessons that carry into many aspects of life. Rowing in particular inspires me because of its unique demand for trust. You are all literally in the same boat, and if one person stops, it affects everyone. You have to trust that your teammates are giving everything, and that trust pushes you to dig even deeper for them.
Explain your earliest memory of The Boat Race
I actually learned to row at Cambridge, so the first time I heard of The Boat Race was about two years ago with my college crew. Many of us went into London to watch it together, and I remember thinking, “Wow, I’d really like to do that someday.”
Do you relish in hours in the gym and miles in the dark, or do you live for race days?
Race days are incredible, but some of the best advice I’ve had from my parents is to “fall in love with the process and detach from the result.” Looking back on my rowing, even when we were training for a big event, what stands out most are the small daily moments with my teammates. It’s the process that gives the goal meaning, which is why the hours in the gym and the miles in the dark are my favourite parts.
What's the secret to managing elite-level sport with studying at one of the top universities in the world?
For me, rowing gives my day a lot of structure. It forces me to be efficient with my time and to prioritise recovery as much as training. It also helps build discipline off the water, which has been great for my studies.
