Alison's Family Tree Where and when were you born? Hornsby, Sydney Names of parents and grandparents? Parents: Colin and Glenda Shreeve Grand Parents: Fred and June Shreeve, John and Elane Ross How many brothers and sisters do you have and what are their names and ages? Sisters: Catherine 21 years, Christine 14 years Brothers: Ben 6 years What sports did you participate in while growing up? Athletics, Hockey, Cricket, Indoor Cricket, Basketball, Touch Football, Cross Country, Swimming, Windsurfing What age were you when you first developed an interest in Wind Surfing? Was Wind Surfing always your main interest and long term goal? My career has always been my main interest and long term goal, but now that I have done so well I feel that windsurfing is my career. My long term goal is to hopefully make a living from it and buy my own home one day and not having to sleep in my car for months every year to make ends meet! |
Who else in your family was interested in Wind Surfing?
My Dad started windsurfing at the age of 40 after I had already taken it up!
I chose windsurfing as a school sport. Mark Jordan saw potential and offered me to come and be tought for free on the weekends. Seven months later I went to my first Youth Worlds in South Africa. Two more Youth Worlds Championship and finally coming 2nd in Sydney in 2000 was a huge boost for me. After coming 3rd in the 2000 Olympic trials, I decided that competing the Olympics was the path for me. I did three European campaigns mostly funded by my parents (God bless them) and my results went from 56th at the 1999 World Championships to 5th in 2004. After a disappointing defeat in the Athens Olympic trials I decided to try my hand at Formula windsurfing and go on the professional tour. In my first year on the formula board I won the PWA World Tour Title, came 2nd in the Formula Worlds, 2nd in European (formula) and helped ISAF choose the new Olympic board for up and coming Olympics over two events.
What limits were placed upon you as a female participant?How did Male Windsurfers treat you? |
What are your greatest career highlights? |
Have you ever had any major injuries ? |
Can you earn good money or do you have to rely on sponsorship? |
What positive or negative factors has Windsurfing instilled into your present lifestyle? |
What has been your most challenging event so far? |
What has been your funniest moment? |
What message would you give to a young person interested in Windsurfing today? |