Downing's Summer of Sport: Annabel Vernon
Annabel Vernon (2001) realised her talent for rowing whilst studying at Downing and went on to win a silver medal in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and become a two-time world champion.
Fascinated by how our emotions control our bodies, in 2019 Annabel published 'Mind Games: Determination, Doubt and Lucky Socks - the insider's guide to the psychology of elite sport' which won the Outstanding Sports Writing Award at the British Sport Book Awards 2020.
Annabel kindly took the time to tell us about her achievements and reminisce about her time at Downing.
How did you become interested in rowing?
My dad had rowed at university back in the 1970s and had loved it, so it was always on my radar. I had previously been a horse rider and hockey player, but aged 17 I decided I wanted to give something new a try and he suggested the rowing club on the south coast of Cornwall, Castle Dore RC near Fowey. I loved it straight away.
When did you realise you had a talent for the sport and how did you get involved in national and international competitions?
I turned up at Downing College with a pair of my brother’s rugby boots, planning to try rugby! I straight away realised that rowing was the most popular sport in the university, with the purpose-built boathouses, coaches, bumps, cocktail parties and black-tie dinners, blazers and everything else. I jumped straight into the rowing scene, started improving my scores on the ergos, and decided to trial for the University in my second year. That’s when I started to realise I had a good engine and wanted to see if I could take the next step. I was selected for British Rowing’s World Class Start scheme and was given a coach, Adrian Cassidy. He supported me on the GB U23 pathway.
Winning an Olympic medal is an extraordinary achievement, can you say something about what that was like?
At the time it was a crushing disappointment, because we wanted gold. It will always be tinged with disappointment because in sport you don’t get many chances to achieve something momentous. We had our chance, and we missed it.
Who were/are your sporting role models?
When I was young, I remember watching Sally Gunnell win her gold at Barcelona ’92 and being totally inspired by her. The commentator said, she’d grown up on a farm hurdling over straw bales at harvest time. I grew up on a family farm and had spent my childhood doing the same thing. It made me draw a line between what you did at nine years old, and what the future might hold.
Why did you choose to study at Downing?
Downing (at that point) had Cornwall as its allocated area to encourage more applications from state school pupils. They’d brought a few of us from my school all the way to Cambridge (a long way from Cornwall!) for a few days in the summer before we applied. We got to meet some of the teaching staff, stayed in College and went around the city. I remember meeting Dr Millett! He was so nice and approachable. I got home, printed off a few photos I’d taken of the College and the boathouse and stuck them by my desk. I was so motivated to get a place at Downing after that trip.
How did you balance your studies at Downing with training and competing?
It was difficult! My degree was History, which has less contact time. But I loved both rowing and studying so I just prioritised those. I was also incredibly organised and became very good at not prevaricating.
What are your key memories/takeaways from your time at Downing?
The people, the beautiful College, how lovely all the teaching and non-teaching staff were, and just having this feeling of being the luckiest person in the world. My best memories would probably be Boat Club dinners.
What have you been doing since retiring from your sport?
I’ve written a book about the psychology of elite athletes (Mind Games – 2019), had a family, and I now work in sports marketing. I also continue to do some keynote speaking and workplace training, bringing an elite sport perspective to the workplace. It’s a lot of fun. I live back in Cornwall by the sea, and I feel very fortunate that my sons will have a similar upbringing to me.
Do you have any advice for anyone looking to work in a similar role?
Network, network, network and network again.
What’s been your highlight of the 2024 Paris games?
Watching Imogen Grant, former Cambridge rower, take the gold in the lightweight women’s double scull - she’s an absolute superstar.
Published 12 August 2024