Image Credit: Steve McArthur / British Rowing
Great Britain’s openweight women’s double were arguably the surprise of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games Regatta, at least by British standards. The duo of Mathilda Hodgkins-Bryne and Becky Wilde only qualified for the Games by virtue of finishing second at the Final Olympic and Paralympic Qualifying Regatta in late May, having come together earlier in the year to form this late entrant. Most had them down as finalists on a good day, but a medal in such a talented field seemed too big an ask. Their opening heat – which they led right up until the closing stages over the eventual Olympic champions from New Zealand – was the first indication that this crew had the potential to be one of Great Britain’s big winners on the grandest stage of them all.
As a first-time Olympian, Becky’s experience was a whirlwind of emotion and unfettered speed in the Filippi that the crew took to Olympic bronze. Here, she speaks exclusively to Filippi about how that boat found its feet.
First, what are your immediate reflections about what I am sure was a crazy six weeks?
Paris feels like a lifetime ago and a complete dream. Life is back to normal, albeit interspersed with parades and events still celebrating the Olympic Games. Reflecting on the Games, I am so proud of our achievement. It was an incredible journey from where we came and where we got to. I have dreamt of going to the Olympic Games for years, but to get a medal was something I never thought was possible, and honestly, it’s still sinking in.
How was FOQR as an experience?
They don’t call it the ‘Regatta of Death’ for no reason. Witnessing the brutality of the event was unlike anything I had ever experienced, and it was so emotional to see other crew members’ Olympic dreams realised or crushed in just fractions of a second. Heading into the week, we viewed it as an incredible opportunity to go against the odds and see what we could do. Each race was a different chance to learn and take steps forward. The event’s physical and mental stress was invaluable for later in the summer and experiences we could fall back on. Oddly I felt so calm and ready on our Final Olympic and Paralympic Qualification Regatta (FOPQR) final day. We had built such confidence in the ten days of training between the European Rowing Championships and Lucerne; we were, quite frankly, a different boat and had demonstrated improvements in the heat and the rep. On that rainy Tuesday morning, we executed our race plan and got the job done. Those last 250 metres, I knew we had done it, and the relief and excitement of crossing the line was so special.
What were your expectations heading into the event? – Talk to me about the build-up; I know you said you realised you were moving quickly on camp but how did the boat come together after FOQR?
Before FOPQR we had had a hugely disrupted training block with injury and illness. We had ten days of consistent training and, like I said, we improved so much in that short amount of time, so we knew we could find more speed in the eight-week block we had before the Olympics. We reset our goals with our coach Tom Pattichis and making the A-final in Paris was the aim. There was no way we were going to the Games to just participate, and although making the final was going to be a big task, we all knew it was possible. Every session we had together was another chance to step on physically, technically and mentally and although the training camp in Varese was brutal, we could see the improvements every day.
How crucial was Matilda as an experienced head in the boat?
I honestly cannot speak highly enough of Mathilda. She is an incredible person, mother and athlete and being partnered with her was so special. She has so much experience to draw on but would only do that when she thought was necessary, always emphasising this was a new chapter and challenge we were embarking on together. Her experience was definitely something I could rely on every step of the way and was crucial at the Olympics.
What were your aims on the eve of the Games and to what extent did you achieve those?
Prior to leaving for Paris, our last piece we did at Caversham gave us so much confidence. We had not spoken about a medal before that point, but from there onwards we knew we had the speed to challenge for one. That was in the back of our mind heading into the regatta and each round we showed that’s what we were capable of.
Do any moments during the course of the week of racing stand out to you? If so, why?
Each race stands out. The heat surprised us and reaffirmed the belief we could spring a surprise. The semi-final was the race I was most nervous for – every crew we thought would be in the A-final was in our semi and I knew if we got through it we could medal. It’s the race I am most proud of. We stayed internal and raced our hearts out. Mathilda had had the disappointment of missing out on the final in Tokyo, so that was a big moment and we achieved the goal we had set out for after FOPQR. The final was a complete blur, but crossing the line and the relief and emotion knowing we had won a medal will be with me forever.
Talk me through the final
Honestly, the final is a blur. We just did what we did all week, stayed internal and raced our own race. Unfortunately we did not have enough in the tank to stick with the Kiwis and Romanians; we crossed the line with nothing more to give and we were full of relief, shock and happiness to have got bronze.
How did you manage the race and what was your view on the competition throughout?
We tried to normalise racing as much as we could. We had rehearsed our race calls so many times and our routine was just like any other day; those things were comforting when the nerves set in. Waiting to race was always the most nerve-wracking time but as soon as we sat in the boat we would be calm- it’s the place we were most confident. Around the competition it helped that we were staying in a hotel close to the course and not the Olympic Village. It meant we could escape the Olympics if we wanted to and again keep some normality. Viewing it as any other competition and any other lake helped, but at the same time there was no escaping the fact that this was where I had dreamed of being my whole life. Acknowledging and using that was important.
How was the post-racing period in Paris? Any highlights?
Incredible. The week after was so surreal. I tried to watch as many other sports as possible and soak in as much of the Olympics as I could. The village, all the events we went to and the experiences were had incredible. The Champions Parade was a particular highlight. Parading in front of the Eiffel Tower in front of thousands of people with our medals was incredible and something that will live with me forever.
How was racing in a Filippi and how was the support?
Our Filippi boat was with us throughout FOPQR, Varese camp and the Olympics, so came with us for the whole journey! Mathilda and I are two very different athletes, with different heights and strengths, but both of us were able to get the set up perfectly comfortable and complimenting each other. We actually had a mishap in Varese, getting caught in a storm and having to abandon our boat overnight. Luckily the only thing damaged was our fin and Filippi were so quick in getting a new one fitted for us. It meant we didn’t miss any training and could stick with the same boat and set up.
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