During this hard time we are living far from water, we took the chance to talk with some of our top sailors to see how they are managing this lockdown experience.
How are they balancing their lives and training, mood, workout or nutrition during this rare long period at home?
After interviewing Mari Erdi in Hungary and Elena Vorobeva in Croatia, we’re pointing our questions now to England.
🔗 Quarantine Talks | Interviewing Mari Erdi HUN
🔗 Quarantine Talks | Interviewing Elena Vorobeva CRO
Quarantine talks – Interviewing Elliot Hanson GBR
Hello Elliot, thanks for your time. How long have you been without sailing? What was your last competition?
My last competition was a UK qualifying event on the 7/8th March. After that I travelled to Palma and got 4 days sailing in before being told to get home as soon as possible. Then we were able to do 3 days in Weymouth, UK before the country got shut down.
How’s being this quarantine to you? How do you manage anxiety, mood, home tasks, feelings, nutrition, etc? Do you live alone/ with family? Do you have any hobbies / talent / work / study?
I feel quite used to being forced into a period of no sailing with previous injuries so it doesn’t feel too unfamiliar. In many ways I appreciate the opportunity to break things down and analyse. I’m quite thorough in detail and like to go through all the aspects of my campaign. I think so long as you are goal orientated and keep a routine, then anxiety and mood problems don’t factor. I’d actually just got the keys to my first house a few days before we got locked down so that’s also been keeping me busy working on the house.
What’s your personal vision about this virus/ lockdown in the world?
The virus is upsetting but unfortunately probably inevitable, the lockdown necessary and essential. I think a lot will be learned from the process so next time or next generation it might not be as disruptive. I think what’s nice to see, certainly in the UK is the many examples of strengthening in community spirit in a time of modern crisis, which hopefully can continue well beyond CV19.
I think what’s nice to see, certainly in the UK is the many examples of strengthening in community spirit in a time of modern crisis, which hopefully can continue well beyond CV19.
How do you feel about the Olympics postponement? Is it better/worst to you? How is this impacting your Olympic campaign?
Initially there was a lot of unknown’s and it was becoming frustrating to make a new plan, settle down and then another change would happen. After some reflection I’m quite excited by the opportunity. I enjoy these periods to reflect, analyse and learn to come back stronger. I was also selected relatively late after Melbourne so felt like I was short of time to make many changes. I’m one of the younger Laser sailors and feel like I’m still learning a lot; hopefully I’ll be a much more rounded sailor in 2021 compared to this summer.
I’m one of the younger Laser sailors and feel like I’m still learning a lot; hopefully I’ll be a much more rounded sailor in 2021 compared to this summer.
You might know we are all desperate to be back on water soon so wanted to ask you, how close do you feel we are to be slowly allowed to sail again?
I think the UK is likely to be one of the last places in Europe to be fully released. It’s a relatively densely populated country so the situation is a bit more volatile. Fortunately I live in Weymouth which is away from the big cities and therefore hasn’t been hit as bad. I think it’s likely we’ll have a staggered release with different businesses, schools and sports released on a case by case basis. Hopefully because sailing isn’t a contact sport we might be released sooner rather than later…
Do you have any advices for others sailors to carry on this quarantine?
Don’t feel like you have time to burn and waste it. There’s a huge amount to be doing to ensure when you are allowed back sailing you have a structured plan around your needs. If done well then in many cases you can come back stronger.
Thanks Elliot!
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