World rowing champion Jeannine Gmelin talks about losing her partner: “Robin was my soulmate”

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High above Kägiswil OW, the view extends to the Alpnachsee, the Stanserhorn is in the clouds. On the couch a wreath with dried flowers and two grave candles. “Everything is slower here. You get a different perspective,” says Jeannine Gmelin (32). That’s one of the reasons she used to sit here with her partner and trainer Robin Dowell (40), a tinkerer who liked to look at things from different angles.

Today, at this location a few hundred yards from her home, Gmelin can establish some closeness to Dowell six months after his death, with Gmelin always dated “16. December” speaks. She rowed in one, he accompanied her as a carriage when she noticed that his motorboat was strangely in the water. Exactly what happened is still unclear to this day. Anyway, Gmelin swims towards him through the three-degree cold water, begins to revive Robin, but without good luck.

With Gmelin sitting on the bench, a few curious cows approach, stretching their heads over the wooden fence, trying to lick them. Two-year-old Emilia squeaks into the arms of Jeannine’s sister Angelina (29). Jane laughs. That contrast is everywhere today. “The contrast is sometimes great. How sad you are and yet you can feel joy or happiness,” says Gmelin. “I didn’t know that before. I thought that in mourning there was only either or.”

«I always look for the strictest way»

For a long time, Gmelin was a lone fighter in her sport, almost describing herself as a loner. Serious, disciplined, tough. There were often obstacles in her way, which she eventually overcame. On days when the pain of loss is especially great and she doesn’t know what to do with the life she imagined so differently, she reminds herself of this fact. “My basic instinct then tells me: I always look for the strictest way because I feel that’s where I learn the most. But sometimes it just sucks.”

As an athlete, her determination leads her to success: world champion in 2017, a winning streak in the single sculls, fifth place in the Olympic Games in 2016 and 2021. When Britain’s Robin Dowell took over as head coach of the Swiss Rowing Federation in 2017, the two from the first moment a deep respect for each other. Over time they become more than coaches and athletes, they are soul mates for life, inspiration, best friends, mutual role models. “Robin was an extraordinary person.”

Dowell had a good eye for people, found an instant connection with everyone. Jeannine’s younger sister Angelina felt the same way, saying that little Emilia and Robin were “best friends”. When Emilia was born two years ago, the couple walked by as often as the top sports schedule allowed. Thus, Robin became a close attachment to the girl. When Robin died, Angelina and her daughter immediately moved in with Jeannine. “It was worth so much,” she says. “She just did the basic things like cooking without asking. I had no appetite, no capacity for the things essential to survival. » On the first morning after the accident, Emilia called three times “Tätti”, as she called Robin – she seemed to realize that something was different. When the sisters went to the lake and lit candles, Emilia wiped the tears from their faces with her little hands.

Sisters become best friends

The sisters had a good relationship before, but didn’t see each other that often because of their different lives. The intensive time after Robin’s death, the long conversations in which Jeannine could not sleep, gave their relationship a different depth. The louder and more outspoken Angelina and the quieter, more reserved Jeannine became best friends – as their two brothers have been for years. And “as we always wanted”, says Jeannine, the eldest of the quartet from Uster ZH.

In the first stage of grief, when Angelina was taking care of her, Jeannine did something unknown to her. “I knew it: I have to give myself space and time.” As an athlete, she had subordinated everything to success. “Now it was about my needs, and I took that time.”

She retreats to her apartment high above Kägiswil, surrounded by nature. Talk to her family, to people who have written to her. And realizes that she has never struggled with grief and that she does not find much concrete information in the literature. It is one of the reasons why she speaks so openly about this process today. “I think the subject is being pushed aside. If I can help someone with this, great! And if not, at least it helps me.”

The pain eats up the energy

Sometimes, when she feels like it, she texts Robin. He had always encouraged her to keep a diary, to which she replied, “Why?” I share everything with you.” Today she writes to him, even though she feels he is with her. “As if I had a hand on my shoulder.” Their deep bond was something unique to them, “even though there is no seal of approval for it.” And she not only mourns the lost future together, but also because he can no longer pass on his wisdom and Emilia no longer has her role model.

Six months after the divorce, Gmelin feels the first small changes, his appetite has leveled off again. It’s not getting any easier, but other things in life are getting some space again. For example sports. For months, the thought of heavy training was impossible for the former top athlete. The pain consumed all her energy. “There’s no doubt I was putting myself in extra pain physically.” Now that is slowly changing; she doesn’t row, but jogs, cycles or does weight training.

“I want to guide people”

And she’s thinking about where her path could lead after she retired from elite sports last January. She has already done some smaller and bigger things, gives training at the See-Club Luzern, has started a training to become an integral coach, a kind of life coach. “I like to support people who are stuck in a challenging process or who want to grow or develop.” She likes it – she leaves open whether she really wants to work in this field.

But she will run a coffee pop-up during the Lucerne Regatta with her sister Angelina and Robin’s sister Megan. It was hobby barista Robin’s dream, which they are now fulfilling for him. «Rob’s Hood» will be on the banks of the Rotsee from 5 to 9 July. Then Robin is not only very close with Jeannine for a weekend, but with his entire beloved rowing world.

Source : Blick