Just six years after picking up the oars for the first time, Ruby Tew is off to her first Olympics as a member of the history-making women's eight.
And while her surname may be more synonymous with rugby in this country, it's rowing where Ruby is determined to make her name.
"Sometimes it does hit me that it's all happened so quickly," she says. "It's pretty special. It's always been a goal, and in my plan it was always 2020, so it's really cool to be able to be going this year."
Ruby was part of the crew that made history last year, becoming the first New Zealand women's eight to qualify for the Olympics, when they won silver at the World Champs.
"It's such a cool group of girls and we're working towards creating history. That was one of our mottos that we trained by the whole year and now as well."
The 22-year-old credits her parents for much of her success. Most people will know her dad, Steve, as CEO of New Zealand Rugby. But he and his wife, Michele, have also been instrumental in supporting Ruby in her rowing.
"We, like all parents, give bigger-picture advice," he says. "She takes that on board and then makes her own decisions, in terms of around events, regattas and trials. All we're trying to do is make her feel we're there for her and we love her."
"As parents we are so proud and excited, and in awe of her effort and hard work to get there," says Michele.
Ruby says having her dad involved in the high-performance rugby environment has also been a big help.
"Definitely over the last few years when he knows what I'm going through and I don't really know what's happening and I get all these motivational tests and emails -- they're Dad's specialty," she says.
But just like any parents, they'll be nervous watching Ruby row in Rio.
"Oh it's awful, yeah -- worse than a World Cup final," says Steve. "The most important emotion we'll have is pride. It is really nerve-wracking, but the good thing about rowing is it's not very long, so it's over quite quickly."
"I think he gets more nervous than me, because he's got no control," says Ruby.
The other thing Steve has no control over is that if the women's sevens team make their final, they'll play just hours after Ruby has rowed in her heat.
"I know, and did you know they're actually on opposite sides -- one's over here and one's about two hours plus this way, with no traffic?" says Ruby. "So I guess he's got to decide."
"Fortunately they'll be at different times of the day, but there'll be one priority, that's for sure," says Steve. "Ruby will come first."
If it all goes according to plan, Rio is set to be an exciting and extremely rewarding time for the Tew family.
Newshub.
