Rachel Bugg - Post USA FINA Diving Grand Prix

Details

Category: Rachel Bugg

Matt: Take us through the event, how does this comp compare in terms of the level of competition?

Rachel: This competition was really important for us as it was our selection trials for the Olympic Games. In respect of level of competition, there wasn’t all the countries there that usually are as European championships were on at the same time. We went to Canada (Montreal) before USA and then competed in USA. Although not all countries were there, pressure was still on the entire team to meet qualification scores and rankings in either Canada or USA.

Matt: Take us through your performance in the 10m Synchro.

Rachel: In Canada our performance was pretty average and i think we both feel we could achieve higher. In saying we reached the score we were required as part of the nomination criteria set by Diving Australia. I missed a couple of dives but our last two pulled us through and we came 2nd. In the USA it was totally different competition as it was an outdoor pool. On comp day we had extremely high winds, and being 10m high it has a huge effect on our performance. Going into the comp in USA I was extremely nervous due to the conditions. We completed our 5 dives, unfortunately our last dive let us down and we dropped rankings from 2^nd to 4^th.

Matt: You weren't overly happy with the 4th placing, how do you deal with a performance that isn't up to the standard you would like it to be?

Rachel: Loudy and I had a new experience together diving outdoors in those conditions and we were happy we made it through. In saying this we know we can dive a lot better and our score wasn’t very high so we felt disappointed. When something like this happens so close to Olympic Games it drives me to work harder and be more disciplined in my training to ensure it doesn’t happen at the most important competition of my life.

Matt: Obviously competing in Synchro you have a partner, Loudy Wiggins, does it take long to get in sync with each other?

Rachel: When Loudy and I trialled our synchro together for the first time in November last year, we were really lucky that it just clicked! Training in different states obviously has its complications, but because we have similar technique, when we do train together it falls into place quite naturally. When I train alone I still do everything as if Loudy was there next to me, so I get as much practice as possible.

Matt: What is the recovery process between each dive?

Rachel: During competition there isn’t much time for recovery. We usually get a run down of our previous dive from our coach and then briefly discuss what we did and then move onto the next dive. before climbing the tower we seek advice for our next dive, do some imitations synchro and then head up to 10m for our turn. In synchro there are usually far less competitors so time between dives is very minimal.

Matt: What type of training were you doing leading into the event?

Rachel: Leading into the event our training didn’t differ to dramatically from our everyday stuff. Being on tour Loudy and I trained every session synchro which was great. And usually only the week before comp do we ever so slightly decrease our repetitions we do, but in saying this our intensity of how much 10m we do can increase. Unlike some other sports like swimming we don’t taper.

Matt: What would we find in your bag you take to the pool on competition day?

Rachel: On competition day my bag will always have two pairs of bathers, one for training and then one for competition. My tracksuit would be packed for march on prior to comp and then for medal ceremony afterwards. I also cannot live without my iTac2 which is like a wax we use to make our legs grippy in the water (shaving cream is also very good for this). I would also have tape for my wrists, wrist guards, my chamois, thongs, and plenty of spare hair ties!

Matt: Do you like to listen to music on comp day or are you more of a talker?

Rachel: I like music, but don’t zone out to it usually during competition. I am very much a talker on a day to day basis, sometimes it’s hard to get me to shut up! Being a team now with Loudy i think its really important to talk and communicate so we both know how each other is feeling and what we need to do to be ready.

Matt: Where to from here for you?

Rachel: After completing these two competitions, we now have to wait until the selectors nominate a team to the Australian Olympic Committee and then the official team will be announced on the 29^th may. The Olympic team will then head off to Spain in June for a final competition before the games.

• < Prev
• Next >