'We were stuck alone in rough seas... I was really, really scared': 10 Questions for Olympic gold medal winner Alex Gregory

Alex Gregory of Great Britain Rowing team (Warren Little/Getty Images)

AFTER winning a second Olympic gold medal in Rio last year, British rower Alex was named Olympic Athlete Of The Year before announcing his retirement. He’s just returned from setting 11 world records by rowing closer to the Arctic ice cap, and further north, than anyone in history. But it almost ended in tragedy three weeks ago.

Why do the trip? Just to set records?

No. My adult life has been devoted to the Olympics, and this was my chance to explore what else is out there.

So after the Olympics, had you lost your way?

If I’m totally honest, yes. Aiming for gold for years meant I had a target, but when I retired last year I’d lost my sense of purpose. I didn’t know who I was.

What were the initial problems on the trip?

When you stop rowing near the Arctic your sweat starts to freeze, and I still can’t feel anything in my toes. I’m told that the feeling will come back, but there are no guarantees.

How did you come so close to tragedy?

We encountered huge waves and strong winds. Our solar batteries wouldn’t charge because of the darkness and the wet. We were stuck alone in rough seas, in constant danger of capsizing, with no navigation equipment or communications. I was really, really scared.

How did you survive?

We spotted an island and rowed to it. It was a restricted Norwegian military base, 1300 miles from the mainland. The guys there looked after us until the coastguard arrived from Norway, two weeks later, to take us off.

What did you learn about yourself on the trip?

When I was at my most scared on the boat, feeling small and terrified, I only wanted to be at home with my three kids, to be a proper dad. They don’t want a hero, they want someone at home climbing trees with them.

Has the brush with death made you a better person?

You’d need to ask my partner. I doubt it. Maybe one day it will. We’ll see.

So what does the future hold?

I’ve asked myself that a lot. I want to pass on my experiences from the Olympics to businesses, show them my gold medals and suggest how setting goals and overcoming setbacks in Olympic sport can cross over to the boardroom.

Great. But can an Olympian cook or put up a shelf?

Those I cannot do (laughs.) So that’s how I’ll become a better person then. High time I learned some DIY.

You have 24 hours left to live. How do you spend it?

Now? I’d climb a tree and sit there for the whole 24 hours just to appreciate Nature. I did it as a kid. Trees are where you get to see the world better.