Natalie Mastracci

Biography

Just five years after she started rowing in the hopes of improving her college basketball aspirations, Natalie Mastracci became an Olympic silver medallist with the Canadian women’s eight at London 2012. Four years later she finished fifth with the eight at Rio 2016. Mastracci’s international rowing career began at the 2008 U23 World Championships. Following two straight fourth place finishes, Mastracci and the U23 eight captured a world bronze medal in 2010. She jumped to the senior national team the following year and won a world championship silver with the eight. Three more world championship podiums followed in 2013, 2014 and 2015. Competing with Team Ontario at the 2009 Canada Games, Mastracci won gold in the eight and silver in the four.

Getting to know…

Family: Mother Rosanne Mastracci… Older sisters Dr. Tara Mastracci, Dr. Teresa Mastracci, and Christina Mastracci-Fera… Getting Into the Sport: Started rowing at age 18… Her best friends tricked her into thinking that joining the rowing team in her last semester of high school would build her athleticism to get an American basketball scholarship; was instead offered a rowing scholarship… Outside Interests: Graduated from Syracuse University in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature… Enjoys drawing and doesn’t go anywhere in the world without a sketchbook; it calms her before racing and occupies her while recovering from racing… Also enjoys designing/making clothing and is learning how to make patterns… Odds and Ends: Always thinks of her family before each race to feel them pulling with her… Always travels with a Hudson’s Bat striped blanket to make any bed in the world feel like home… Favourite motto: Excellence is a habit…