Olympic profile: Annie Lush

Early ambitions – “I studied Geography and Politics and always thought I would go into politics, possibly a job with the UN. During my gap year I worked for a conflict resolution charity and travelled around the world”

Career Path – “I went to Cambridge where I started rowing. Winning the Oxford/ Cambridge boat race was the event that made me want to do the Olympics. When I graduated, I bumped into Cathy Foster, who asked whether I wanted to sail with her in her Yngling campaign. I then met Shirley Robertson and became her training partner in 2004”

Best/worst quality – “Striving for perfection, and my worst is then not being able to let go”

Hobbies and interests? – “When I was young, ballet was more important to me than sailing. Now I still enjoy dancing and playing the piano”

How do you relax? – “I like to play the piano, meet friends, but also sail other types of boats and take on different roles”

What picks you up when you’re down? – “I need to analyse things to make progress so talking things through with a friend is usually good for me”

What’s your plan ‘B’? – “Given that plan ‘A’ was politics, my plan ‘B’ was to sail professionally”

Pet hate – Being cold
Sporting hero – Brad Alan Lewis (rower)
Position on boat – middle
First class sailed – AB Class
Racing track record – Won Women’s match racing worlds with Sally Barkow, 2005
Favourite sailing venue – Sardinia
Favourite boat – Etchells 22
Current car – Yellow Volkswagen Beetle and Volvo XC70
Dream car – Yellow Volkswagen Beetle

Personal favourites
Films – Gladiator
Band – Counting Crows
Book – The Tenderness of Wolves, Stef Penney
Non sailing item – Piano, which I’m learning to play
iPhone app – Right Move
iPod top 3 most played Sandstorm – Darude, Someone Like You – Adele, Re:Stacks – Bon Iver