Tassilo von Mueller

Nationality

GER

Height

1.99m

School/High School

Lycee francais de Duesseldorf

Club

OUBC

Undergraduate/Graduate

Graduate

Previous University

Princeton

Graduate course

PhD in Engineering

What is your Oxford College?

Hertford

Why are you studying your course?

I enjoy doing research and knowing that I’m working on cutting-edge technology in aerospace.

What is the most interesting part of your course?

The most interesting part is that I keep having to come up with creative ways to solve problems in the lab.

Year you first started rowing?

2011

First rowing club

Ruderklub am Baldeneysee

Name of first rowing coach?

Tobias Kramm

Why/How did you get into rowing?

I lived near a lake and saw people rowing every time I was walking or cycling by with my family. Since I wasn’t very good at other sports, I started rowing and really enjoyed the rowing family.

How do you balance rowing and academic life?

I’m trying.

Who would be your dream team eight to row with from everyone in the history of rowing?

German eight 2012.

What’s your rowing history, and what has been your biggest achievement so far?

Winning pair trials with my friend Floyd Benedikter.

Have you raced in the Boat Race before? If yes, when?

Isis race 2022.

Have you ever been at school/university/on a team with anyone at ‘the other place’?

Seb Benzecry, Tom George, Henry Evans - all at Princeton.

Your favourite race so far?

Winning pairs trials with my friend Floyd Benedikter.

What is the best place you have ever rowed?

Carnegie Lake

Obviously, it’s long hours and hard work – what inspires you to keep rowing?

Being around guys who are willing to sacrifice everything for one single goal.

What do you feel is your greatest achievement through rowing, be it accolades or something more?

Making the best friends I could have asked for.

What has been your most embarrassing/funny rowing moment?

Sitting at the start line in a single with the oars the wrong way round.

What is your favourite sports quote?

“Giving up is not in the blood.”

How would you describe the sport to a non-rower?

Very repetitive.

What is your favourite movie about sports? Why?

14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible

How does being an athlete make you a better person?

I’ve learnt to be more organised and to be there for my teammates when they need me.

Why do you think someone outside of the sport can relate to your career as an athlete so far?

Once you’re at the start line, everyone has had the same chance to train as hard as the other one. Whoever wins is hopefully decided by who deserves it. Your background does not matter.

What are your strengths, as a person and as an athlete?

Passion for the sport and the people I train with.

What do your friends think of your athletic success? How do you handle missing out on activities with friends because of your athletic schedule?

I don’t feel like I’m missing out on activities with friends because I get to row with them every day.