‘Intimidated’: Mum speaks out after Rachael Finch’s cross-country controversy

A mother has weighed in on Rachael Finch’s controversial cross-country stunt, revealing that her child felt “intimidated”.

A mother has claimed her daughter felt “intimidated” when model and influencer Rachael Finch controversially filmed herself running behind her daughter during a school cross-country race.

The former Miss Universe Australia, who frequently shares updates about her family life on social media, copped backlash online after she posted a video of herself jogging behind her eight year old daughter, Violet, and shouting words of encouragement during the school event.

In the video, which Finch captioned “crazy cam”, the 35-year-old can be heard encouraging her daughter to “suck in the air” and “go, go, go” as she ran along the track.

“Watch the rocks … That’s it Violet, well done,” she added.

Rachael Finch copped criticism after filming herself running behind her daughter in a cross- country race. Picture: Instagram

The 35-year-old shouted words of encouragement as her daughter ran ahead. Picture: Instagram

The clip, which is now archived from Finch’s Instagram stories and was shared by Outspoken the Podcast on social media, sparked criticism online and led many to question why Finch was taking part in the race.

One mother, whose daughter was competing in the race, reportedly claimed Finch’s actions impacted her daughter’s performance.

“My daughter was running directly behind her. She was too intimidated to overtake due to the mum yelling and getting in the way,” she reportedly wrote online.

Podcast hosts Amy, Sophie and Kate Taeuber first addressed Finch’s cross-country video in an episode last week.

“At first I just thought, ‘oh she’s just one of those supportive parents’,” the hosts said.

“But this was next level! I don’t understand how this school let her run behind her child during the race. Surely this would be really off putting for the other kids?”

Before the race, Finch shared another video on Instagram where she expressed she was likely “more nervous than Violet”.

“I’m running to the first checkpoint and I’m about to throw up! I’m getting all these feelings from when I used to do it,” she said.

Finch later revealed Violet had come 12th out of 100 girls, achieving her “best time and best performance”.

Finch shared she was “nervous” for the race in a separate Instagram video. Picture: Instagram

“I’m getting all these feelings from when I used to do it,” she said. Picture: Instagram

The model later responded to critics, calling out those who wanted to attack her for encouraging her daughter.

“Just a quick message to anyone else wanting to criticise or personally attack me for wanting to support, encourage and motivate my child to do the very best that she can do,” she said in a video on Instagram.

“A couple of things just one check your facts and to check back in eight or so years, when Violet is an adult to see the progress.”

Finch with her husband, Michael Miziner, and their kids Dominic and Violet. Picture: Instagram