FM: Let’s rewind to the start of 2017 – busted ankle as the competitive season is about to get underway. What was your mindset back then and how did you plan to overcome the injury?
AL: Yeah, it was a pretty tricky situation. I guess for the first week or so I was in denial. I even tried to sail on it after 7 days of resting but it was so swollen and sore I had to stop. In hindsight I was so lucky to not completely ruin my ankle almost beyond repair. After that it sort of struck home I was going to be out for a while so I went to hospital and got x-rays and scans etc. It turned out to be 3 torn ligaments and 2 ruptured. I think the first few weeks I was pretty grumpy (thanks to my girlfriend for putting up with me!) but was really strict with recovery and focussed on getting better. Once I found out I would be off the water for 3 months I just set my mind on coming out of it stronger than when I started.
FM: Did the injury focus your goals and efforts?
AL: Simply put, yeah, 100%. I had 3 months out of the water and having spoken to my physio at home it was pretty close to being a career changing injury. That really forces you to re-assess what you are doing and why. Actually I found the whole process really rewarding. I looked at what I was doing and why, then focussed on the things I had to improve to move forward and got on with them. It wasn’t easy but in hindsight that time off the water and that time to think really changed my perspective. I think you never really know how much you have to give until you’re forced into a challenge like that.
FM: How important do you view mental and physical preparation or is it just time on the water?
AL: On tour I think there is a real mix but nowadays everyone is leaning towards the training and mental preparation side. Personally, I think the preparation is really important. I would say I’m naturally competitive and I strive to improve but I’m not a natural competitor. There are guys on tour that can get 110% out of themselves the minute that green flag goes up, I’m not like that so I have to be prepared. I have a really specific warm up and a mental process, I’ve been refining it over the years and feel its slowly paying off. It’s been a case of trial and error, seeing what works and binning what doesn’t. It’s a big part of being relaxed about competing. If I know I’ve done everything I could, then I’m not stressed about the things I can’t control. It all feeds into being able to make those split second decisions that can win or lose a heat, you need to be calm making them.
