paul
Team Owner
http://www.wrc.com/en_GB/News/NewsDetail/2...R_I_Pinsent.htm
A big heart, good communication and teamwork are the cornerstones of both rallying and rowing, according to Britain's Olympic hero, as he gears up for another gold medal assault in Athens in 2004. But he doesn't really mind who is flying the flag in world rallying - just as long as it's the Union Jack
Q: You've been lucky enough to ride in a Ford Focus WRC. When did that happen and how did it feel?
"It was at the Rally of Great Britain last year during shakedown. I was driven by Ford's third driver, Mark Higgins. It was a bit of an eye-opener, but I didn't feel scared because I quickly realised that Mark was in control. I'd really like to do it again, but next time I'd try not to spend so much time looking at the road. I'd like to watch the driver a bit more to see how he keeps the car under control."
Q: What impressed you most?
"Three things: acceleration, braking and control. The acceleration was good, but for me it wasn't out of this world because I ride a motorbike. The braking was the most impressive. The stopping power they have on that kind of muddy, gravelly surface was amazing. And the control those guys have to make the car go sideways through all the bends and yet keep it on the road is brilliant."
Q: How are your driving skills? Would you like to try driving a WRC?
"I'd love to have a go on a relatively smooth track, without piles of logs at the side of the roads! And I'd like to do it with someone sitting next to me who can teach me first. It's so different from any other kind of driving that I'd need to have a lesson or two first."
Q: What do you drive at home?
"I have a Mercedes-Benz CLK, but I'm waiting for the new shape to come out this summer. I like fast cars. However, being six foot six, comfort is my main priority. I also have the bike, so I just pick and choose between the two."
Q: Do you follow the World Rally Championship at all?
"On TV - more now that there is the Channel 4 coverage. Colin McRae took rallying from a little-known sport to headline stuff. I was gunning for him last year, but then Richard Burns drove superbly. As long as we keep it at home, I don't mind who wins."
Q: What events are you doing this summer?
"We have the main rowing event of the year, the World Championships, coming up in Seville, Spain, in September, so I am training every day. We have 18 sessions a week, each lasting one and a half hours. Eighty percent of our training is on water, the rest is in the gym, doing weights, and a bit of running."
Q: What sort of speeds can you expect to achieve in your boat?
"When I row in a pair, with James Cracknell, we manage about five metres per second."
Q: Drivers and co-drivers have a very close relationship because they have to work together for long periods. Is it the same for you and James?
"Well, you don't have to get on when you're rowing in a pair. As long as you can get the best out of each other on the river, that's all that matters. Luckily, James and I do get on very well."
Q: What makes a good rower?
"You need to have the right physical assets. You need a big heart - in two senses of the word: you want a decent-sized pump to shift enough blood to your muscles, but you also need to be gutsy. The right psychological make-up is important and, when you row in a team, you must be a good communicator."
Q: How did you get into rowing?
"At the age of 13, I was given the choice of playing cricket or going out on the river. Because I had some mates who were into rowing as well, that's the choice I made."
Q: What is the next big goal that is coming up for you in your sport?
"It has to be the 2004 Olympics. We are now closer to Athens than we are to Sydney, which is always a real turning point, so the next Games is most definitely on the agenda."
A big heart, good communication and teamwork are the cornerstones of both rallying and rowing, according to Britain's Olympic hero, as he gears up for another gold medal assault in Athens in 2004. But he doesn't really mind who is flying the flag in world rallying - just as long as it's the Union Jack
Q: You've been lucky enough to ride in a Ford Focus WRC. When did that happen and how did it feel?
"It was at the Rally of Great Britain last year during shakedown. I was driven by Ford's third driver, Mark Higgins. It was a bit of an eye-opener, but I didn't feel scared because I quickly realised that Mark was in control. I'd really like to do it again, but next time I'd try not to spend so much time looking at the road. I'd like to watch the driver a bit more to see how he keeps the car under control."
Q: What impressed you most?
"Three things: acceleration, braking and control. The acceleration was good, but for me it wasn't out of this world because I ride a motorbike. The braking was the most impressive. The stopping power they have on that kind of muddy, gravelly surface was amazing. And the control those guys have to make the car go sideways through all the bends and yet keep it on the road is brilliant."
Q: How are your driving skills? Would you like to try driving a WRC?
"I'd love to have a go on a relatively smooth track, without piles of logs at the side of the roads! And I'd like to do it with someone sitting next to me who can teach me first. It's so different from any other kind of driving that I'd need to have a lesson or two first."
Q: What do you drive at home?
"I have a Mercedes-Benz CLK, but I'm waiting for the new shape to come out this summer. I like fast cars. However, being six foot six, comfort is my main priority. I also have the bike, so I just pick and choose between the two."
Q: Do you follow the World Rally Championship at all?
"On TV - more now that there is the Channel 4 coverage. Colin McRae took rallying from a little-known sport to headline stuff. I was gunning for him last year, but then Richard Burns drove superbly. As long as we keep it at home, I don't mind who wins."
Q: What events are you doing this summer?
"We have the main rowing event of the year, the World Championships, coming up in Seville, Spain, in September, so I am training every day. We have 18 sessions a week, each lasting one and a half hours. Eighty percent of our training is on water, the rest is in the gym, doing weights, and a bit of running."
Q: What sort of speeds can you expect to achieve in your boat?
"When I row in a pair, with James Cracknell, we manage about five metres per second."
Q: Drivers and co-drivers have a very close relationship because they have to work together for long periods. Is it the same for you and James?
"Well, you don't have to get on when you're rowing in a pair. As long as you can get the best out of each other on the river, that's all that matters. Luckily, James and I do get on very well."
Q: What makes a good rower?
"You need to have the right physical assets. You need a big heart - in two senses of the word: you want a decent-sized pump to shift enough blood to your muscles, but you also need to be gutsy. The right psychological make-up is important and, when you row in a team, you must be a good communicator."
Q: How did you get into rowing?
"At the age of 13, I was given the choice of playing cricket or going out on the river. Because I had some mates who were into rowing as well, that's the choice I made."
Q: What is the next big goal that is coming up for you in your sport?
"It has to be the 2004 Olympics. We are now closer to Athens than we are to Sydney, which is always a real turning point, so the next Games is most definitely on the agenda."