Mum's the word as 16-year-old Sarah follows mother's footsteps to World Championships

Sarah Teelow doesn’t have to look far for a role model to encourage her in her campaign at the 2009 Waterski Racing World Championships in Belgium - she is following in her mother’s footsteps.

While two-time world champion Tania Teelow is racing the clock to gain medical and fitness clearance for this year’s event following a fall 12 months ago, 16-year-old Sarah from Wellington will take her place after securing a position as one of only two junior girls competing for Australia.

With places at a premium and a big field of solid contenders, Sarah was not confident that she would make the Australian team.

It was at the Australian championships in January that she realised that maybe her world championships goal was achievable.

“At the selection race at Lake Charm, for the first 10 minutes I was out in front,” she said. “I had to work hard to win, and that made me realise that I could do it if I put in the work.

“Suddenly it wasn’t out of reach. It was a big boost in points, and then I won the following day to back it up.”

It was then that Sarah realised that now the opportunity was in front of her, she had to make a decision.

“That was when my attitude changed. I realised that if I didn’t train hard, I’d be very disappointed if I threw it away,” she said.

After this shift, she picked up her game with training and worked on producing consistent results in the seven selection rounds.

Her solid results meant that by the final round, held in Victoria in March, she was already secure in the Australian team.

As well as upping her training regime to include sessions with a personal trainer and in the home gym each week, Sarah has also committed to more ski sessions in Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay, to try and get more experience in the rougher water which the world championships will be held in.

Canal racing in Belgium is extremely rough and will be a test for the Australian competitors.

“I’ve been trying to watch as much footage as possible to familiarise myself with the conditions,” Sarah said.

“I’m a little bit nervous, because we can’t replicate those conditions here, but I’m getting a bit better each time.

“Hopefully the harbour training will be beneficial, and each session is one step closer.”

Sarah said that following in the footsteps of her world champion mother has had rewards.

“She’s a role model to follow - I haven’t had to make my own name or prove myself, but at the same time, I don’t feel the pressure, or feel like I have to impress.

“Everyone says I’m just like her - if I can get the same achievements I’ll be happy.”

Witnessing Tania’s victory in New Zealand in 2007 was a positive experience for Sarah. “Going to New Zealand was a great opportunity for me,” she said.

“If I hadn’t gone, I would be hesitant and I wouldn’t be as confident.

“Living with a world champion has certain advantages.

“Having mum living with me every day means I have a constant reminder of the food I should eat, the training, the commitment, the sacrifices that can be made.

“I have the luxury of learning from her.”

If she’s willing to listen, of course.

“She’s my mum, so I don’t always want to do as she says, but she knows,” Sarah said.