The American Erin Vandendriessche is the winner in the Senior Women category at the last CrossFit Italian Showdown 2019. A fine example of character, tenacity and sweetness make her one of the names under 30 most interesting in the world. Erin, interviewed by CrossMag, recounts his experience in Milan waiting to snatch his ticket from the next CrossFit Games, which he enters by right. We thank Erin for her availability.
Erin, tell us everything. How did it go?
I enjoyed a lot. I thought I wasn't going to make it to the cost of airline tickets, but in the end I did some math and with the help of my sponsor, the Prodigy Athletic Apparel (young clothing brand for CrossFit, ed) and my parents, I did it. I would have regretted it if I hadn't. Then I think it's really nice to be able to tell my kids one day that their mom went to compete so far in Europe.
Can we say that you are one of the athletes who is growing the most in these years?
I dedicated myself completely to CrossFit three years ago. The first year I moved without any kind of programming. I did it all alone with my training partners, choosing long and if I can say, quite terrible workouts. We wanted to increase the loads every week. In short: we did not behave in an intelligent way, also because we did not know how to move. Then I started to follow the workouts of Misfit Athletic (a start-up that offers daily training for athletes directed towards the competitive environment, ed) and from there I started to improve my performances more and more. I began to work on macronutrients and the result is that I recovered my strength much faster. I feel great today. I always dreamed of getting to the Regionals knowing that CrossFit Games would be a long-term goal.
Did you expect to win at the Italian Showdown?
I hoped so, sure, but I didn't expect to triumph! Maybe stars were lined up, but I went all the way and fought for that victory. Even today, I'm in seventh heaven.
What was your favorite and least loved WOD of the Italian Showdown?
Ah, my favorite was the final one in handstand walk and ring muscle up. I really like gymnastic movements and everything that involves the upper part of the body. Absurdly, what I liked the least is the one where I went better, I refer to the race with clean squats. I had no positive expectations about that WOD, but i clean touch and go they allowed me to finish them off casually.
Tell us something about Fee and Stephanie, your podium mates. Your final selfie was epic!
I love competing with Fee and Stephanie. I have known Fee for three years and we have competed together in teams in the past. She is one of the nicest people I have ever met and also a tenacious opponent. Stephanie instead I met her during the weekend in Milan and she turned out to be as nice as I suspected. He whispered advice behind my back before the final when I was freaking out!
How did they welcome you back home?
On the way back home, my husband told me that he wanted to stop by his parents to greet them. As soon as I entered the house I found the whole family in front with lots of champagne. That's not all: after that moment they asked me to spend a moment in my garage, the Root 18 (in Medina, Ohio) and as soon as I entered the garage was full of people with all my friends from the garage to welcome me, they are my second family. It was one of the most amazing moments of my life. I am proud to be surrounded by people like that.
Can you tell us how you trained for the Italian Showdown?
It was pretty simple because we knew all the WODs in advance. I've done it once / twice a day before the competition. In essence, I planned the preparation to be as ready as possible!
What will you do in the coming months?
Easy, I'll do a bunch like this for the next three months, reminding myself not to rush too much and have fun in the meantime. All in view of the CrossFit Games. I can not wait!