29 April 2009 Sanna Sten and Minna Nieminen have left their rowing camp in Belgium behind to return to Finland for continued training as they prepare for the rapidly advancing international season. Their busy schedule on and off the water has increased as the month concludes. World Rowing: Where are you now?
Sanna Sten and Minna Nieminen: We are in Lohja, Kisakallio Sportinstitut (Finland). We have moved to the same place so that we can train better together.
WR: What has been the main focus of your recent training?
S & N: At the moment we are focusing on technique on the water. It will take few weeks to get rowing on the water economical after the long winter season. WR: I understand that you have a new coach (lightweight rower Ilona Hiltunen). How did that come about and how has it changed your training?
S & N: There are some changes in training. The main structure is quite similar, but training is more individually planned and there are some new aspects, like balance training in the winter, added. For technique training there are some new tips also. We both feel a lot of joy because of the new training atmosphere. WR: Do you ever train in other boats besides the double?
S & N: Most of the time we train in singles and the double, of course. Sometimes it is possible to try a quad too.
WR: What is the reputation of rowing in Finland like? Did you get much media attention following your Olympic medal?
S & N: Yes, we have got a lot attention in the media after our Olympic medal. Also rowing has received much more attention in the media because of the Olympics. We hope that this will motivate new people to join our sport and also motivate other rowers towards more challenging competitions.
WR: With so few elite rowers in Finland, how do selection trials work?
S & N: In Finland selection to national team is based on last year's results at the World championships or Olympics. You have to be in the top 15. It is possible to get into the national team also during the season if you are able to brake limits on the ergometer or in rowing World Cups. Everyone in the national team has to do certain ergometer tests (2x2000m and 2x5000m) and take part in at least in one World Cup and in national competition. At the moment there are only three rowers in the national team and three in the B-national team.
WR: How do you fit your jobs into your rowing schedule?
S & N: In the summer we are not working at all. In training season we do part-time jobs. We are training always before the working day. Sometimes it is quite hard.
WR: Are you planning on racing at the first Rowing World Cup?
S & N: We are not going to first World Cup. Instead of that we are taking part in the Nordic Championships in Stockholm, Sweden.
WR: What are your rowing goals for the future?
S & N: Our goal is to be successful in the open double at the World Championships and develop our physical and rowing skills. 3 April 2009 The bull and the academic: Sanna Sten and Minna Nieminen have spent four years together in the lightweight double but admit that they are very different in their approach to rowing. Together, however, they have become the most successful rowers from Finland since Pertti Karppinen. Sanna and Minna tell World Rowing about what it is like to be part of a small rowing community and how they headed for a 2008 Beijing Olympic medal. World Rowing: Where are you at present?
Sanna Sten and Minna Nieminen: At present we are having our first open water camp in Belgium in Hazewinkel. The last time we rowed was six months ago in Finland. WR: Where do you row in Finland?
S & N: During the winter time it is not possible to row on the water. That’s why we use the indoor rowing machine and also do lot of cross-country skiing. During the winter we usually use many different training methods. WR: What does your typical day look like at present?
S & N: Here at the training camp we have breakfast at 8 o’clock. The first training session on the water starts at 9.30am. After that we have lunch and then we usually go through the session with our coach. In the afternoon we usually take a nap. The second outing is at 4pm. The dinner is about at 7pm. At the end of the day we get sleep – Minna has a habit of going to sleep early, at about 10pm, but Sanna stays awake a bit longer. WR: How does your current training regime compare to this time last year?
S & N: Last year we had two open water camps in Italy. We spent over six weeks in training camps. This year, however, we had a winter camp where we did cross-country skiing. After the Olympics we had a rather long break from rowing. During the winter we have concentrated more on, for example, core muscles. WR: After just missing out on qualifying for the 2004 Olympics, what did you do differently in the preceding years to make sure you would be going to Beijing?
S & N: We wanted to learn more about rowing and about ourselves as rowers. We became more confident in competition and also worked harder in training. WR: After 2004 was the 2008 Olympics your sole focus?
S & N: Each year we also focused on the World Rowing Championships and European Championships. But, of course, the Olympics were the biggest goal. WR: You spent most of the 2008 season rowing as a heavyweight. What was the reasoning behind this?
S & N: We wanted to have a good training period at the beginning of the season. We also wanted to have time to recover from the Rowing World Cup competitions and training and to stay healthy. This was possible because we had qualified for the Olympics already in 2007. WR: Minna, you list eating as a main hobby. What food did you have to cut out that you missed the most?
N: That’s right, I enjoy cooking and having dinner with my friends. I continued to eat all of my favourite foods, but, of course, the portions were smaller. All in all, I like quite healthy food such as vegetables, fish, chicken, so it was not that hard. During the Olympics I dreamed of lasagna and chocolate cake. WR: What was your first meal after winning silver at Beijing?
S & N: After the race in Shunyi we moved to the Olympic village and had a proper meal. That tasted excellent! In curiosity, the media offered us ice cream three times. WR: I understand that both of you knew very little about rowing before you took up the sport. What attracted you to rowing?
S & N: That’s true, the first time we saw a real rowing boat was when we started rowing. At first it felt difficult. Rowing was challenging and gave us a chance to be outdoors. Also the people around rowing were really nice. WR: How many rowers are there in Finland?
S & N: Far too few. Each year around four to six rowers compete in international competitions. To get an eight or even a quad or four competing at an international level is too big a challenge for Finland. WR: How is elite rowing organised?
S & N: In Finland the organisation is really small. We have a few training groups training and living together. For example we have moved each year to the same city to train together in the summer. There are no training centres specialised in rowing in Finland. WR: Is Pertti Karppinen involved in rowing now?
S & N: Karppinen is still involved in Finnish rowing and used to row every now and then himself. He has told us of his own experiences at the Olympics and rowing. But the cooperation with him is rather little. WR: What do you like to do outside of rowing?
S & N: We live quite a normal life. Half of the year we work almost normally. Sanna likes to relax by meeting friends. Minna instead likes to spend time at home and likes hiking and outdoor activities. WR: Are any other members of your family athletes?
S & N: Sanna has no athletes in her family. Minna’s little brother is a rower and has competed a few times at Rowing World Cups and also the European Championships. Minna’s older brother is one of the best in Finland in weightlifting. Minna´s father and grandfather were runners. WR: You have now been rowing together for over four years, how would you describe your relationship with each other?
S & N: We are two completely different types of people and outside of rowing we probably would have never met. For instance Minna loves spending time outdoors and Sanna is a city-girl. WR: What makes the two of you work well in the boat?
S & N: Sanna is a bull-like fighter and a very strong rower. Minna is very good at reading the competition and creating tactics. Our strength as a double is that we can combine our skills together. The World Rowing team values feedback. | 
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