WBPA Feature: Helena Thornfeldt

The American Poolplayer Magazine recently interviewed newly crowned Women’s U.S. Open Champion Helena “The Sledgehammer” Thornfeldt. Helena filled us in on how she became a pro player, where she gets her poolplaying tips, and how she handles the pressure of playing in front of the television camera.

APA: With over 200,000 amateur poolplayers in the APA, I think it’s safe to say that some of our players may have aspirations of one day becoming a pro poolplayer. Talk with me a little bit about your rise to the pro ranks. How did you become a pro poolplayer?

Helena: I’ve been playing pool a long time; I started when I was 14. I’m from a small town in Sweden, and for some reason we had a lot of good poolplayers in my town. I started hanging out in the poolrooms, playing video games and pinball, and I started watching the poolplayers. They seemed pretty good, so I eventually started to play. I was pretty good from the beginning, so I started playing a lot.

APA: How did you go about refining your game?

Helena: I think the key to becoming a good poolplayer is being around good players because pool is a tough sport. So you have to be around good players to watch and see what they do. I live in the same city as Johnny Archer, so I’m always bugging him with questions.

APA: Well, I must say, I see you on television more than I see him. Does Johnny Archer ever ask you for any advice?

Helena: Nah, not really.

APA: I mentioned seeing you on television. Is your preparation any different going into a match you know is being taped for television? Any added pressure?

Helena: My theory is that the reason why a lot of European players come over here and do so well is because we learn in other places where the competition isn’t as good. I learned to win and became a Champion in Sweden and in Europe. When I came over here, I already knew how to win. I’ve been a Champion, so I’m not scared to get up there.

APA: So, no added pressure?

Helena: I think it’s really all about focus. If you focus, you aren’t going to notice anything else around you.

APA: Going into events that are being taped for television, do you make it a personal goal to advance to the televised rounds to gain more exposure for yourself?

Helena: No, you want to win the tournament, regardless. TV or no TV, it doesn’t matter—you’re looking to win!

APA: You mentioned the success some of the European players have had, and pool really does have a lot of international stars. Do you think because of the international appeal of pool that we’ll see it in the Olympics one day?

Helena: I haven’t followed it that much, but I think the biggest problem is that we can only go in with one game, and we have snooker,
3-cushion billiards, pocket billiards, etc. So I think we need to solve that problem internally first.