Changi sailors' strike Gold...

Hi! My name is Charles. I am the forehand onboard SIN8 with my helm, Shaw Her. As the 4th crew in the sailing history of Shaw Her, it is a responsibility which I am proud to accept. A tradition in itself.
In reality, despite what is said, there is a strong sense of destiny which surrounds Shaw Her and his patriotic dream of Gold. This man of astounding drive who has been in competitive sailing even before I was able to say my first words, is the 4th time SEA Games Gold Medallist. His approach towards the sport is a milestone and has the ingredients for success in the International scene, providing there are no setbacks along the way. During the closing ceremony with all the spectacular fireworks, cheering and music he wrote: "Hard work pays" above his signature on my autograph card. "Hard work pays", these are the words which i will treasure and bring me happiness when I think back.

The hard work began last year, the training was raw and physically demanding. The basics were drilled hard and physically i was pushed harder than anything the army could have ever come up with (ask David E (ex-Commando) about it). There were days when I felt low and that is when psyching comes into play, something which I learnt in the army, (doing something well which you dislike is a frame of mind). Training was the biggest test of endurance I had ever come to face. My weekends were burnt by training on SIN8. For 3 months, this was my life. It was hard on my parents and friends and I am glad that is was all worth it. At the end of that phase, I think I emerged physically fitter and mentally stronger, which is what it is all about.

Next, the training went into hyperdrive. It was a daily affair, consisting of the infamous daily think-tables ( very short course) speed trials and drills! One of the amazing things was that there was no one out there to push us. It was a totally self-motivated thing plus a sense of responsibility to the country.
The arrival of our sparring partners was a revelation. At first I was a little unsure, but when I saw them walking out of the baggage collection hall with heaps of sails along with their personal belongings, my doubts were dispelled. John Jagger and John Denzield, an extremely modest bunch, proved to be our answer in our quest for speed. Without them we would not have achieved the boatspeed edge in the medium to high air conditions which prevailed throughout the SEA Games. Thank you J.J. Thank you J.D.

Combined Effort, that was the name of the new 470 which was to carry us to victory. Re-Jo, a memory of Shaw Her's partnership with Chui-Yin was to retire for the Games. Chui-Yin had helped me in the psychology part on the complex team ethos of helm and crew. he helped me see the positive side of life on the wire (crewing). the reason for the name Combined Effort was to acknowledge people like him.
standing up on the podium was one of my high points of the Games. A sense of national pride welled up within me as the Singapore flag rose to victory. It felt almost like crossing the finishing line first again.

By Charles Lim