Anna Tunnicliffe is looking to once again compete at the Olympics in the sport of sailing.
ANNA TUNNICLIFFE grew up in a sailing family and although at first put up a protest to her expectations to embrace the sport, soon succumbed to its unique and fascinating appeal.
It was just before her teenage years when competing in the sport started meaning everything to her and her determination and natural talent led her to two Olympic Games, her crowning moment being a Gold at London 2012.
After retiring from the sport, gaining a strong interest in the discipline of CrosFfit among other things, Anna is back seeking sailing success and is set to gain a place in the British Team at Tokyo 2020.
Here she shares memories of her greatest sailing triumphs, talks about her journey into CrossFit and set outs her aims for Tokyo 2020.
Who introduced you to sailing and how long was it before you had well
and truly caught the sailing bug?
I was introduced to sailing by my parents. we are a sailing family and it is something we have done since I was born. I actually hated sailing until I was about 12 years old, then I started to enjoy the sport and then the competitive side of it more and more.
When did it turn from a hobby into a competitive sport for you and
what were some of your earliest successes in competitions?
I would say I was competing from around age eight onward, but it wasn’t until I was 12 that I really enjoyed the competitive side of it. I was quite successful as a youth sailing in my local area, but when I went to national events, my results weren’t so hot. It wasn’t until college I would say that I really started to understand the consistency side of it and was able to put in enough hours to get more and more successful.
What do you see as your greatest accomplishments in your competitive
sailing career?
I would say my greatest accomplishment to date would be winning the Olympic Gold, and being a two times Olympian. Winning Gold is every athletes dream, so to have accomplished that is incredible. Additionally, even though we didn’t win the gold in the 2012 Olympics, the campaign we had leading into it was one of the most successful runs I have had. I had great teammates, Molly Vandemoer and Debbie Capozzi. In addition to doing quite well through the years, we had an incredible amount of fun as well!
Tell us about your experience and success at the Olympics and what
were the reasons for your retirement from the competition?
I won the Gold in 2008 in the Laser Radial. It was a dream come true, something I had dreamed of since I was 12 years old. Being at the Olympics and representing your country is unlike any other experience and you can’t really put it into words. It’s an honour and a lot of pressure all at the same time! but so worth every minute of the blood sweat and tears that got you there.
I retired from competition after the 2012 Olympics because I needed a break. I had been sailing non-stop on the Olympic circuit for ten years. It’s a lot of fun, but I needed to take some time away. I also found a new challenge in CrossFit which peaked my interest too, so I kept the competitiveness going, just in a totally different sport.
In recent years Anna has put most of her athletic talents into the discipline of CrossFit.
How much are you currently sailing and do you still use the sport as a
way to relax and spend time with family and friends?
I am actually starting a campaign again for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the front of the boat this time. I’m crewing for Paris Henken in the 49erFX. I don’t do casual sailing, I can’t take the competitiveness out of it!
What made you start competing in CrossFit and what have been some of
your triumps in that discipline?
I started doing CrossFit as a way to get in shape. I was bored of my old gym routine and was looking for something new. I was introduced to CrossFit at the same time the CrossFit games were being aired on ESPN and was so intrigued by the fact that you could compete in the sport that I set a goal to try a competition after the 2012 Olympics. I started working with my current coach and now husband on a plan to try and make it to the CrossFit Games and in 2013 that goal was accomplished. 2013 and 2016 were my best years of competition. I finished ninth and tenth respectively those years.
How hard are you currently training and what events are you focusing
on in both sports? What other projects do you have planned for the
months and years ahead?
This year’s goal is the CrossFit games Masters (35-39). After that, its on to fully focusing on the 2020 Olympics. I will of course continue training in CrossFit as it think it is the best workout around and gets me ready for what I do in the boat, and I’ll compete when I can, but sailing is going to be the primary focus as we Go for Gold!
