At just 17 years old, Elodie Ravera is a great hope for French rowing. Even though she is already a high-level athlete, this young woman from Nice does not neglect her studies. Far from it. Portrait of a champion in the making.
After trying tennis, swimming, and judo, Elodie Ravera began rowing at 13. Since then, she has given up all her other hobbies to focus solely on rowing. And she was right. Last year, at the Junior World Championships, she won the bronze medal in the double sculls with her Lyon teammate Eléonore Dubuis. “This year, our goal is to do better than third place” she declares with determination.
Elodie deserves credit. She trains in far from ideal conditions… “During the week, I train at sea. And on weekends, with my training partners, we go train at Lake Saint Cassien. It’s certainly not the best way to train, but we make do” she explains. “If I continue rowing at a high level, I will move to a city where there is a lake available“.
Studies: The Priority
French rowers do not earn the same salaries as their soccer counterparts. And Elodie is aware of this. “Even if I reach a very good level among seniors, I will have to switch careers after my rowing career. If one day I have to choose between studies and rowing, it will be studies. That’s what’s most important” she admits, full of clarity despite her young age.
For now, Elodie is enjoying herself. She knows she is very lucky. “I travel, I meet people all the time. It’s a dream life” she exclaims. Before adding, “I prefer to have this lifestyle rather than that of other young people my age“.
