Video: Interview With Adriana Penruddocke
Bermuda sailor Adriana Penruddocke – in an interview with tennis player Gavin Manders – said she is looking forward to her first Olympic Games in Paris, where she will make her debut at just 24-years-old.
Penruddocke will continue Bermuda’s proud sailing tradition at the Olympics, following in the sails of Peter Bromby, Kirk Cooper, Paula and Peta [White] Lewin, Christine Patton, Jesse and Zander Kirkland, Howard Lee and Ceci Wollmann and more.
She will compete in the women’s dinghy ILCA 6 at the Marseille Marina, admits the Paris Games resembles a “free hit” having initially targeted the Los Angeles Games in 2028 as her likely Olympic debut.
“It was always a case of giving Paris my shot and if I didn’t make it, not to get too heartbroken,” Penruddocke told Gavin Manders, one of the Island’s best ever tennis players, who interviewed her on behalf of Bernews as part of the ‘Best of the Best’ interview series.
“It feels like a double win. It’s all about gaining experience. I’ll put my best foot forward and do the best I can.
“We’re not putting any expectations on a particular result. There are no limitations. It’s a race at the end of the day, and anything can happen.”
Penruddocke qualified after finishing sixth in her final race at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, last year to seal one of the North American Olympic places.
“The Pan Ams was a major qualification for the Olympics,” she said. “I just focused on my process goals, and my coach, Shaun [Priestley], kept me grounded so I could perform my best.
“The Olympics is the pinnacle of any sport. At first, when I qualified, I was like, ‘Has this actually happened?’
“Then I was like, ‘This will be awesome!’
Having spent an extended period in Marseilles acclimatising to the conditions at the venue, Penruddocke said she is gaining valuable insights into reading the wind shifts and believes they suit her sailing style.
“There’s a variety of conditions – some light, offshore shifty conditions,” she explained.
“There’s also the other end of the spectrum – the famous Mistral [a strong north and north-westerly wind], which is 25-30 knots, which is always good fun to see how fast you can go. It’s very physical, which I enjoy.”
Bernews will be providing comprehensive coverage of Bermuda’s athletes in the coming weeks, thanks to our sponsors Butterfield & Vallis, Auto Solutions, Clarien Bank and One Communications, and this video is part of our ‘Best interview the Best’ video series, which will be highlighting all of the athletes set to take part in the Olympics and Paralympics.
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