Sophie MacKenzie announces retirement
Olympic rower Sophie MacKenzie has announced her retirement from professional rowing.
Sophie’s rowing career began at Marlborough Girls’ College with Wairau Rowing Club. Sophie first represented New Zealand in the U21 Trans-Tasman team in 2010 and 2011. In 2012 and 2013 Sophie went on to win bronze medals at the World Rowing U23 Championships as part of the lightweight women’s double. In 2014 Sophie competed again at the World Rowing U23 Championships where she and Zoe McBride won gold. In the same year, Sophie was selected into the elite team where she partnered with Julia Edwards and won gold at the World Rowing Championships. The duo would go on to become double world champions, set a World Best Time together, and finished 4th at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Following Rio, Sophie took time away from rowing and returned as a member of the 2018/2019 Summer Squad.
After a long, successful rowing career, Sophie’s desire to have rowing at the centre of her life is not what it once was, and she has decided to step away from professional rowing. Throughout her sporting career Sophie has become a qualified personal trainer, yoga teacher and holistic nutritionist. Sophie is now transitioning these qualifications into a full-time career, with Rowing NZ’s full support.