3 mins
Sarah Portsmouth
Nationality
GBR
Height
186cm
School/high school/secondary School
Yarm School
Club
CUBC
Undergraduate/graduate
Undergraduate
Undergraduate course
Architecture
Cambridge college
Newnham
Why are you studying your course?
It’s a great blend between art and science.
What is the most interesting part of your course?
Interactions with tutors or guest lecturers where they share their work, or making cute and tiny models.
Year you first started rowing
2015
First rowing club
Yarm School Boat Club
Why/how did you get into rowing?
All my friends joined and would talk about nothing else, so I got FOMO and decided to see what the fuss was about.
Name of first rowing coach
Mr Lund
Who is your rowing idol?
Kat Copeland
How do you balance rowing and academic life?
For the most part I think the structure of rowing helps me work more effectively, but when things get difficult it’s important to have support from friends.
Who would be your dream team eight to row with from everyone in the history of rowing?
All the Elenas with Bronya coxing.
What is your rowing history, and what has been your biggest achievement so far?
I picked up rowing at Yarm and had a great time rowing with my friends in a coxed four for the first few years. By the time I got to sixth form I spent a lot of time rowing a pair with Katie Anderson (Oxford Blue Boat 2021) and we went to the Coupe de la Jeunesse together, competing in the pair and the eight. In my first year at university I was selected for the 2020 Blue Boat crew, but we never got the chance to race, so it was a privilege to be part of the 2021 crew who raced at Ely. Following this race, I trialled for the U23 GB team and was lucky enough to make the eight, which I would say is my greatest achievement so far, but unfortunately our boat couldn’t go due to Covid complications.
Have you ever been at school/university/on a team with anyone at ‘the other place’?
Yes. As mentioned above, I went to school with Katie Anderson, and she is one of my closest friends. We certainly spent enough time in a pair together to know far too much about each other. It was an amazing experience to line up against her for the 2021 Boat Race, as we used to always jokingly chat in school about it happening.
Your favourite race so far?
The 2021 Boat Race.
What is the best place you have ever rowed?
The Tees in summer.
Where would be your dream place to row?
The Tees in summer.
Obviously, there are long hours and hard work, what inspires you to keep rowing?
On a daily basis it’s my teammates, they are incredible people and are the only thing that could get me out of bed ridiculously early in the middle of winter.
What has been your most embarrassing/funny rowing moment?
The day Katie and I capsized our pair twice in one day, a particularly humbling experience having just come back from competition thinking we were pretty cool.
What is your favourite sports quote?
“It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.”
How would you describe the sport to a non-rower?
Grimble
What is your favourite movie about sports?
Moneyball
How does being an athlete make you a better person?
Rowing is always a ‘character building’ experience, and I am always learning new things about myself and how to handle different situations. I have also made some of the most valuable friendships and relationships through this sport which I am so grateful for, and these have helped me become a better person.
What do your friends think of your athletic success? How do you handle missing out on activities with friends because of your athletic schedule?
All my friends are so supportive of all the rowing I do, and super understanding about my lack of attendance at various events. It’s difficult to feel like I am missing out on things I want to be a part of, particularly all the architecture events, but I get to hang out with everyone in the studio, and I know it’s the commitment at times like this that makes the difference.
Any hobbies, other interests outside rowing?
I love making art, particularly sculptures; and anything food related always goes down well.
Tell us one surprising thing about yourself
I have a passionate love of halloumi cheese.