Name
Annika Möslein
Course and Year of Study
DPhil Engineering Science, 3rd Year
College
University College
Sport
Sailing
Club
Oxford University Yacht Club
Highest Competition Level
International
Best Achievement
Leg winner in The Ocean Race Europe
Short Term Aspirations
Compete in The Ocean Race
Long Term Aspirations
Combine Sailing and Engineering
How did you get into the sport?
Even though my brothers were my biggest role models, I didn’t follow their dinghy youth sailing career as a kid. The fascination for wind and water was however there, and when I was 15, I spent seven months on a tall ship on the Atlantic with the project “Classroom under sails”. But it wasn’t until I came to Oxford and joined the OUYC freshers’ event that I first stepped on a yacht and got into racing!
How has the Blues Performance Scheme helped you?
The Blues Performance Scheme has provided me with brilliant 1-on-1 strength and conditioning coaching, psychology sessions and nutrition advice. All these preparations have helped me to improve significantly despite the lack of time on the water due to the three lockdowns!
What is your advice on balancing sport and academia?
The combination of sailing and science motivates me to be efficient, and I see training as my reward for research work. After a few days in the lab and office, I can’t wait to get back on the water, and after offshore races in extreme conditions, I look forward to my research again. It is the best combination for me! In the end, it all comes down to time management, planning, and communication to make the most out of both sides.
How have you managed training during lockdown?
Of course, the cancellation of all racing events took the wind out of our sails… but I realised there is always something new to learn. Without racing every weekend, I suddenly had so much more time to focus on fitness, nutrition and mental preparation, which has truly helped me to become a better sailor: as soon as we could hit the water again, I was more ready than ever.
