26 Aug 2009 at 22:03 | Published by: Hans | Views: 13678 | News search

Sandra Weaver at lane 3 on eternit in Odense  (Photo by Hans Bergström 2009)

Interview with Sandra Weaver (SW), Sweden and Jönköping BGK

This interview was done the 26th of August 2009. Interviewer is Hans Bergström (HB).

HB: First of all congratulations to the World Championship gold title in Odense last weekend. Have you been able to go back to an ordinary day-to-day life pace yet?

SW: Thank you very much! Well, I started working the day after I got back, so I’ve had to try to get back to business again, but it sure is very different from playing full-time minigolf.

HB: What happened after the title? Have there been lots of media interest and celebrations?

SW: There have been some interviews in several news papers, but to be honest I think that the achievement of the Swedish team should have been broadcasted more than it actually has been.

HB: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself to those who don’t know you. Who is Sandra Weaver?

SW: I’m a 25 year old woman, married to Jay Weaver. I love to travel and listen to music. I’ve even started liking running and see it as a great way to stay in shape and train for the mental demands of minigolf. I’m a very competitive person who loves to win at everything!

HB: Short questions:

SW:

Profession: Occupational Therapist

Year of birth: 1984

Start of Minigolf career: 1993

Make of club: NIFO Ryner/Olsson

Favourite ball: M. Cl. 1

Favourite surface: Concrete

Technical tip: Use a long, slow back-swing to get optimal control of the ball on felt.

HB: So back to Odense. How was your feeling in the final KO-rounds? Did you enjoy it or was it a long nervous pain?

SW: I was nervous during all of the KO-rounds, but I was, probably quite understandably, most nervous in the end of the final round. I was literally shaking during most of the shots during the last six lanes.

HB: Which was the toughest match you played in the KO-rounds?

SW: The last two rounds of the final were both very tight games. I was lucky to get ahead at the first lane in the semi-final, which meant that I started all of the remaining 17 lanes.

In the last game I ended up playing second for most of the round which was a lot harder. Fortunately, I was able to get back into the game and take the lead, but the final round was the toughest.

HB: You also won with your team Sweden. What do you value the most, individual or the team gold?

SW: It’s been a long time since we last won with the Swedish women’s team (Waasa 2001). It was great to finally be on top of the podium again! But I have to say that I am even more proud and happy about the individual gold medal. That is something I have never experienced before and have dreamt about for ages.

HB: There has been much discussion on the Internet about the new KO-modus played in the individual finals at international championships. What is your opinion about the KO-modus in general?

SW: Generally I don’t like the KO-system. I think it is far too random to be able to get the best player on top of the podium. I myself know how it is to be leading after the preliminary rounds and then to be beaten out in the first match (Canegrate 2007).

I have since had to change the way I think and had to start “liking” the system. I think it is a system that you have to get used to playing; it is very hard the first few times.

HB: Who do you think would have won in the ladies in Odense if the old (stroke play) modus would have been played instead with another 4 rounds on Saturday?

SW: That is a very hard question, but I think that one of the top four players would have won. Karin was in first place and of course had a good chance of winning.

HB: What happens next for you in Minigolf?

SW: Right now there are only a few more tournaments left for me during the outdoor season, so there is plenty of time to relax for a while and to start digesting the victory.

HB: The world championships next time in 2011 will be held in Stockholm. Will we be able to see you participate there?

SW: My plan as of now is to play there, so I do hope so.

HB: Who is actually the best player in the family you, your father (Peter Nordin) or your husband Jason?

SW: Hmm.. tough question! I would have to say that Jay is the one that has definitely improved the most out of the three of us. With the amount of time that he has played compared to us, his results are almost better than ours. As of right now I might be the best one, but my dad and I are normally very even results wise.

HB: Again a big congratulation to the WC title and good luck in the future.

SW: Thank you!

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