With the gold medal in her luggage and with the belief that her dream of participating in the 2028 Olympics will come true, she returned from the European Youth Championships hosted in Portugal Villamia, the European champion at the Olympic Class ILCA6.
The 17 -year -old sailor of the Kalamaki Nautical Club spoke on the official website of the Group (www.nok.com.gr) about 11the Gold medal she won in her 4 -year presence in major events, expressing her optimism about her presence at the Olympic appointment in three summers.
In detail her interview …
Would you like to describe the route to the gold medal at the European Championships?
The truth is that the first days of the qualifiers helped me a lot. From day one I had a lot of energy and that gave me an avant -garde for the finals. I had steady good frescoes and what I noticed is not to have invalid races. The first few days were for me security pads for the finals. I was also lucky because in my fleet in the qualifiers I didn’t have the 2 best athletes in the competition, so my project was easier. When the finals started I was stressed because I was afraid I would not accept observation. I had already accepted one and if I accepted a second I would go out. That’s why I didn’t travel very quickly. The first day of the finals found me at 6or and 12or Position that was my worst struggle in the struggle, the result of the stress I had. In the next few days I gathered more and with a clear mind I kicked out the pressure and took the real Hermina into the sea.
Was there a time when you said that I might not go out first? Did you feel pressure?
Before the race I had pressure. In training I was sure I wouldn’t go well. I used to say I would come out fourth. In the race I got tired a lot on the day I finished 6or and 12or. I thought I wouldn’t stand it. What helped me overcome the pressure is that I went to wave with wave and day by day.
When did you think you wouldn’t lose gold?
I first believed it in the qualifiers. Then I missed my faith and I was back in 11or race when I finished 3or. Then I said I didn’t lose the gold, even though I started from 15 and reached 3 in the race.
Was the competition as you expected it? We saw again with your teammate Alina that you lived a deja vu With medals like last year …
The girl from Ireland (Siena Wright) was very trained, pushed me a lot throughout the race but had no much sailing experience. I was expecting Alina (SS Sapovalova) again but she hadn’t done much training.
What difficult is the racing or psychological preparation of an athlete on the road to the gold medal?
The physical state is important and then the psychological preparation. Without training you go nowhere as good psychology. When you have the same training condition as the first five athletes of the event then the Psychology factor will play a role.
Who were the people who supported you in this success?
First my group. The people of the Kalamaki Nautical Club have embraced me from the first day I started in my 6 years. President Christopoulos, Mr. Georgis (ed. Kefalonitis), the whole system I feel that he is working for me and I appreciate this particularly. From then on, the Federation and with the financial assistance it provides me and with the coaching camp I am involved with coach Luca Radenic. My supporters Motor Oil and the Qualco Foundation. Of course my family who never pushes me. My mother, my father and my two brothers.
Do you dedicate the medal somewhere?
To my brother Achilles.
According to the successes you have and from the stability you display you are considered one of the greatest talents of Greek sailing. Do you feel the weight and pressure of success and how difficult is it to always be in the first place in European and World Championships?
I feel there is a “must” for a medal. I now understand that the world is always waiting for me and it is reasonable. And the Group and the Federation, everyone is waiting. There is pressure because I do not hide that I always expect a medal. I will say that I generally handle it very well. To be more accurate I learned to handle it. I live with the pressure of the medal and I no longer feel anxious as in the beginning. What I think is that if I get my best, the medal will come. The most difficult time for me is that of preparation. In the races I have my routine and manage it. In preparation I am stressed out.
What is Ermioni’s next goal?
The Under 19 World Championship in ILCA 6 in late July in Los Angeles. I look forward to being at the place where the Olympics will take place.
And to imagine you would like to go back to Los Angeles after 3 summers?
I don’t think there is an athlete who doesn’t want to be in the Olympics. I think about it, I work it and I want it very much. I think I am able to be in Los Angeles. I will have several opportunities and I hope to do it with the right preparation. I can be the belief.
The 11 medals of Ermioni Gika
2022 (Poland-European): Bronze u16 ilca4
2022 (Portugal-World): Silver U16 ILCA4
2023 (Spain-European): 2 Gold U16+U18 ILCA4
2023 (Volos-World): 2 Gold U16+U18 ILCA4
2024 (Argentina-World): Silver U17 ILCA6
2024 (Italy-World): Silver U17 ILCA6
2024 (Ireland-European): Gold U17-Bronze U19 ILCA6
2025 (Portugal-European): Gold u19 ilca6
I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
