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Paralympic sailing team departs for Qingdao in high spirits!
Despite more than a hour’s wait and the early hours, none of these dampened the enthusiasm of Team Singapore supporters as they put their clappers together and cheered for the SKUD18 sailing team.
Comprising two outstanding sailors, Desiree Lim Kok Liang and Jovin Tan Wei Qiang, as well as team manager Foo Say Juan, coach Lock Hong Kit and caregiver Gina Tan Juan Juan, the SKUD18 national team left via the 8.40 am flight to Beijing to catch a transfer to Qingdao, where the race they have been waiting for will begin in 9 days’ time - the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.
Desiree Lim and Jovin Tan may have been training on the SKUD18 class boats for barely more than a year, but these two athletes are ready to do Singapore proud in the upcoming event. Training six times a week in gym and on sea, the couple have impressed many with their team spirit and hard work. This was most aptly shown when they won the championship title during March’s International Foundation for Disabled Sailing (IFDS) World SKUD18 Championships, beating strong opponents like Portugal and Britain, to qualify for the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.
However, they are not leaving without worries. Back in April, the team participated in a pre-game sailing regatta in Qingdao to test out the weather conditions and waters, and found themselves facing a situation they hardly ever encountered in Singapore - a restless turbulent sea with howling winds.
Nonetheless, Desiree and Jovin returned to Singapore with even greater determination to overcome the problems they have experienced in Qingdao.
“Every day is a fresh new day,” said Jovin. “You just have to keep trying,” added Desiree, “that’s how we pick up new knowledge.”
And with that confidence, the pair left Singapore, under the well-wishes of families, friends and supporters, bearing a mission and a smile.
