ARMSTRONG VAZ
QATAR
All eyes in Goa will be focused on two sailors Dayne and Katya Coelho, part of the Indian sailing team at the ongoing Asian Games as they begin their campaign in the 15-race RS Mixed Team event which sails off from Jakarta Bay at the Indonesia National Sailing Centre on Friday.
The grueling 15-races schedule is spread over eight days, with a break on the fourth day with the last of the races taking place on August 31.
A total of 113-boat fleet of 49ers, 49erFX, Laser Standard, Laser Radial, 470 Men and Women, RS:X Men and Women, RS Mixed Team and Laser 4.7 Open representing 21 nations will test their skills in the waters of Jakarta Bay in the sailing competition.
A light wind is forecast for Friday and it is unlikely the race course will bring the heavier sailors any smiles. However, the wind conditions will change throughout the racing days and may not get a sense of how well the teams are doing during the races till final day of the races.
Meanwhile, the brother-sister combination, coached by their father Donald Coelho, a three-time national champion in windsurfing, is upbeat ahead of the event.
“We reached here on August 4 to get used to the weather and wind conditions. As you know, wind plays quiet a role in how you finish at the end of the day,” said Dayne after a practice session on Thursday.
“I have been preparing for the event for the last three years. So far everything has gone according to the plan. We are quiet upbeat and our morale is high. We are hoping for the best and for a best possible result in the first two races on the first day of the competition,” added the 20-year old.
As it is a mixed team event the scores of both the competitors will be added at the end of the races and Katya is keen to raise the bar.
“I have been working hard in the waters and in the gym. I have been following the plan set by my father and going along with it, hoping and praying that everything falls in place and we hope to get off to a good start,” said 19-year old Katya.
Participating in the Asian Games is a special moment not just for the athletes but those around them. Ambika Paes e Coelho, mother of the two children who is in Indonesia to cheer the team is one of them and she is happy that the efforts of the trio are paying dividends.
“This event is very special to us as we’ve been working towards the kids getting selected for it since last three years. A lot of hard work and sacrifices have gone into this. I am proud of my husband and children, and I have seen them slogging for this (Asian Games participation),” Ambika said.
“Thanks to my husband for getting the kids into sports. Both of them understand their goals and priorities and are working diligently towards them,” she added.
Every new international competition she said is a new challenge for the athlete and each of the competition is a learning experience.
“International events are always an eye opener as you see the latest development in terms of organization and also builds up the confidence of the kids and helps them to set new challenges for themselves. Finally I firmly believe it’s all God’s plan and he has blessed us abundantly.”
