Andrew Lewis, Trinidad and Tobago’s first Laser-class sailor to qualify for the Olympics, is looking to ensure he goes into the 2012 London Games, fully prepared and ready for the high-level competition.
Lewis revealed that he has a strong training plan in motion and is looking to strengthen with any opportunities to train at a high standard meet.
“I have two regattas and one training camp in preparation for the games. The first regatta, Skandia Sail for Gold, is in June in Weymouth, England where the Olympics will take place. The second one in early July is the Laser Europeans and this takes place in France. I then have a final training camp in the UK before I start the competition,” he divulged.
Lewis ensured a comprehensive regime as he knew the competition would be very tough with the conditions very strict to adapt to.
He attained the Olympic qualifying mark at the Audi Laser World Championships in Boltenhagen, Germany, held from May 4-10. Lewis won one of the 12 spots available at this event for Olympic qualification.
“Heading into the regatta (Boltenhagen), I was competing for one of twelve spots on offer to qualify for the Olympics. After the first six races, I was placed in the Silver fleet and now was one of ten countries competing for six spots. The competition was very stiff and I was made to work more than ever to gain my spot. In the final race I was under enormous pressure,” he stated.
“The calculations were such that there were three countries in immediate contention for the final spots — Puerto Rico, El Salvador and TT. I had a bad start in the race, but was able to regain my composure and finish strongly enough to ensure that I was one of the six countries who qualified,” added the 22-year-old.
On helping foster the sport locally, Lewis conferred, “I am the first sailor in the Laser class to qualify for the Games and it is indeed an honour to represent my country.”
-Renaldo Matadeen
Source: www.newsday.co.tt