Wendy Petrie & daughter Addie 'THE NEWS THAT MADE MY HEART SINK'

The TV star and her talented teen reveal their COVID nightmare

- Sophie Neville

It's a big deal for any parent when a child leaves home for the first time, but for Wendy Petrie, farewelling her eldest daughter Addie on a rowing scholarship to the States has been nothing short of an emotional rollercoaster.

Not only did her newly turned 18-year-old travel halfway across the world on her own in the midst of a global pandemic, but she also caught the dreaded virus only days after arriving at the University of San Diego.

"I knew COVID was a risk, but never in a million years did I expect her to get it so soon,” says Wendy, 50, who is also mum to Liv, 16, and Zach, 12. “My heart sank when I got the text saying, 'I've tested positive, but I had to be rational about it.

"She's young, healthy and triple vaccinated, so I was pretty confident she would be OK - and she was. As a mum, you have to steel yourself for this stuff. It's hard letting go, but it's also incredible seeing your child living their dream."

While the tight-knit pair managed to fit in a photo shoot with Woman's Day just before Addie left Aotearoa at the end of January, they're talking to us today over video call, with Wendy at home in Auckland and Addie from the dorm room she shares with another student on campus.

The talented rower has been away for three months now - the longest period she's ever spent apart from her family - and while it's been a big adjustment for Wendy and her husband Ross Peebles, Addie is taking her new life in her stride. No signs of homesickness or tearful calls to Mum and Dad - just huge excitement about her big adventure.