tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68477688174650860382024-02-21T12:27:48.596+05:30Rohini SailsRohinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03446521565193135271noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847768817465086038.post-40352673370074139812011-03-14T14:48:00.000+05:302011-03-14T14:49:10.743+05:30Rohini Rau: Only Indian Sailor At The Perth International Regatta 2010<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "></p><h2 class="contentheading" style="font-family: Cambria, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 1.1; font-size: 30px; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Rohini Rau: Only Indian Sailor At The Perth International Regatta 2010</h2><p></p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Seven world number ones have confirmed their participation at <strong>Perth International Regatta (PIR)</strong>, the test event for the <strong>2011 World Sailing Championships</strong>. The PIR has attracted 230 boats from over 40 countries and starts on Tuesday. The Regatta will run from 16 to 21 November 2010. Athlete entries include triple Gold and Silver Olympic Medallist Ben Ainslie from Great Britain, six current World Champions and four 2010 ISAF ‘World Sailor of the Year’ award finalists! </p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-align: center; "><img width="314" src="http://www.isport.in/images/stories/sailing/nov2010/perthrohini.jpg" alt="perthrohini" height="209" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 5px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; " /></p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-align: justify; "><strong>Only Indian Sailor at PIR 2010</strong></p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-align: justify; ">I, Rohini Rau, am the sole participant from India competing in the Laser Radial Class. So far there are about 70 entries confirmed. The Perth International Regatta is the test event for The Perth 2011 World Championship which will serve as the first qualifier event for the 2012 Olympics. This event is where 75% of the country quota or 29 countries will qualify.</p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-align: justify; ">I am looking forward to this test event as I will know exactly where I stand and therefore will know how much more I will need to work towards making the cut to qualify next year. I have to finish among the top 29 countries at the Perth 2011 World Championship next year in order to qualify India for the 2012 Olympics in London.</p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-align: justify; "><strong>Typical Perth Sailing conditions</strong></p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-align: justify; ">The conditions have been very typical to Perth… with strong sea breeze “Fremantle Doctor” and warm sunny temperatures. I feel like Perth is almost my second home… and that I am sailing on home waters as this is my 3rd time here making it a total of 5 months of sailing here. I have been training hard off the waters of Fremantle, Perth, for the last four weeks as part of the Fifth Emerging Nations Programme Camp under top coaches, Arthur Brett and Belinda Stowell. With the intensive preparations on water and fitness training I have been going through, I think I am ready to give it my best shot. Wish me luck!</p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-align: justify; ">I would like to acknowledge the support from the Yachting Association of India (YAI) and the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT).</p></span>Rohinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03446521565193135271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847768817465086038.post-78766222302573824632011-03-14T14:45:00.000+05:302011-03-14T14:46:52.009+05:30Rohini Rau selected for Perth Sailing Camp<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "></p><h2 class="contentheading" style="font-family: Cambria, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 1.1; font-size: 30px; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Rohini Rau selected for Perth Sailing Camp</h2><p></p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Rohini Rau selected for a 3 week sailing camp in Perth. She shares the details of the camp with iSport.</p><div style="font-size: 12px; text-align: center; "><img alt="rohinilaser" src="http://www.isport.in/images/stories/experts/Nov09/rohinilaser.jpg" height="336" width="448" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 5px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; " /></div><div style="font-size: 12px; text-align: justify; ">The Emerging Nations Programme (ENP) is an initiative of Perth 2011 intended to increase the participation of nations that were not represented in any sailing discipline at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.<br /><br />Twelve international athletes, who are on the cusp of Olympic qualification, will be attending the second Emerging Nations Programme (ENP) Camp. The second camp will be held between 20th November to 11th December, 2009. Two athletes from Camp 1 – Anna Aile and Alex Denisiuc, of Latvia and Moldova respectively – have been recognised as emerging talent and will progress their sailing skills further in Camp 2, in Perth. Ten new athletes: two athletes from India, and one each from Trinidad and Tobago, Nigeria, Bermuda, Paraguay, Colombia, Malaysia, Pakistan and Serbia will join them. They will train under Head ENP Coaches – 2000 Sydney Olympics Gold Medal winner (470s) Belinda Stowell and former 2008 Beijing Olympic Coach and former World Number 1 Arthur Brett.<br /><br />Rohini Rau of The Royal Madras Yacht Club (Laser Radial Sailor) and Prakash from AYN - Mumbai, (Windsurfer) are the two Indian athletes who have been selected for this intensive training programme.<br /><br />These athletes come from developing sailing nations and are on the cusp of qualifying at Olympic level in their chosen sailing event, although due to circumstances at home such as a lack of quality training facilities, limited access to quality coaching methods and difficult conditions, they have never quite reached their potential.<br /><br />Rohini will then go on to participate in Melbourne at the Sail Melbourne Regatta (Grade 1) – which is the first event of the 2010 ISAF World Cup.<br /><br /><strong>iSport had a chat with Rohini on her selection:</strong><br /><div style="font-size: 12px; text-align: center; "></div><strong><img alt="rohinichamp" src="http://www.isport.in/images/stories/experts/Nov09/rohinichamp.jpg" height="448" width="273" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 5px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; float: left; " />What are your expectations? How are your preparations?</strong><br />Well, Its a great opportunity for me to train with the best coaches and get the best equipment and learning environment. I am hoping to fine tune my sailing skills and work on my downwind technique as I find that is where I lose out the most during races!<br /><br />If I perform well in this camp, I will be called in for the next one. This is a huge incentive to make sure I work hard.<br /><br /><strong>What milestones have you set to get to 2012?</strong><br />I aim to get into the top 100 ISAF World rankings by the end of next year and progress to the Asian Championship and Asian Games - in the open category! I will just have to keep training hard and hopefully I will get support from corporates and the federation to fund my campaign.<br /><br /><em><strong>iSport wishes Rohini all the very best!</strong></em></div></span>Rohinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03446521565193135271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847768817465086038.post-4678369855011682542009-06-29T16:41:00.002+05:302009-06-29T16:51:46.089+05:30The Royal Madras Yacht Club’s “Vestas 420 Sailing Nationals 2009”<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWT0snhV4NZRs6RCf-dl4NohruROgQSODmoA7DU5gQllHdQALdtbmeW9jFRT-tso-p_kwlcmbXIRWo8APy6D6MDUKL0NIl5qKrSR1pVo0JIIT4mG5_YKTrI4qwwZKprIn3iHKvP53EWaB/s1600-h/Ms+Kanamuzhi,+Rohini+and+Pallavi.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWT0snhV4NZRs6RCf-dl4NohruROgQSODmoA7DU5gQllHdQALdtbmeW9jFRT-tso-p_kwlcmbXIRWo8APy6D6MDUKL0NIl5qKrSR1pVo0JIIT4mG5_YKTrI4qwwZKprIn3iHKvP53EWaB/s320/Ms+Kanamuzhi,+Rohini+and+Pallavi.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352708136490505362" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial;font-size:12px;"><div><br /></div>The last 3 days at the Royal Madras Yacht Club, Chennai were extremely memorable, for various reasons. Even though my partner (Pallavi Shanbhag) was only 17 and a light weight, we managed to put up a good show against the army and navy men.<br /><br />The first day was a mixture of highs and lows. The wind was a steady 15 - 18 knots, in the first race of the day we had a bad start and nearly capsized once or twice. We finished 11th. In Race 2, we actually did capsize after rounding the top mark 3rd! My toe strap broke, and I was sent flying into the water. But we still managed to finish 9th. We redeemed ourselves in the next race by sailing a flawless race from start to finish and succeeded in finishing 2nd overall!<br /><br />The next day we had similar wind conditions but bigger waves. Excellent conditions for surfing! We started off really well in the 4th race rounding the top mark 4th, but a trivial mistake sent us into the water and finished 13th. The day didn’t get any better for us as we finished outside the top 5.<br /><br />The third day of racing proved that even though our competitors were 40 kilos heavier, weight doesn’t matter. Farokh Tarapore, former 2002 World Champion, gave a few important tips to help us sail faster and smarter. It must have helped because we finished 2nd, 3rd and 3rd overall.<br /><br />Day four was a thrilling last race. We finished 2nd overall!<br /><br />Pallavi and I (RMYC) won the women’s title and finished 5th overall. This was great considering we hadn’t practiced much for the event. This is the second consecutive year of winning the Vestas 420 Women’s Sailing National Trophy.<br /><br />Honourable Member of Parliament Ms Kanimozhi graciously gave away the awards to all the sailors at a Grand Regatta Nite at the Taj Coromandel, Chennai on the night of June 20. It was a wonderful ending to a well organized and fun Regatta. Kudos to the Royal Madras Yacht Club!<br /><br />Well, I am off to Germany early hours of June 23 for some training and then to Denmark for the European Championships in the Laser Radial from July 9 to 17. My aim is to do well in the Gold Fleet.<br /><br />A big thank you to everyone for their good wishes and for following my progress! I will strive to make you and India proud….<br /><br /><strong>Winners: </strong><br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline; ">OPEN</span><br />1. SANDIP JAIN & SATYARAJAN ROUT (AYN)<br />2. YADURAJ LAD & AZHAR SHAIK (AWSA)<br />3. K YAKOBU & GIRISH M (AWSA)<br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline; ">WOMEN</span><br />1.ROHINI RAU & PALLAVI SHANBHAGH (RMYC)<br />2. AYESHA K. LOBO & AISHWARYA CHEZHIYAN (RBYC)<br />3. SIDRA SABIR & SHAILA CHARLES (NSS-BHOPAL)<br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline; ">YOUTH</span><br />1. AMAN M VYAS SARAD & C. SINGHA (NSS-BHOPAL)<br />2. AYESHA K. LOBO & AISHWARYA CHEZHIYAN (RBYC)<br />3. SHIVAM SHRIVAS & SACHIN SINGHA (NSS-BHOPAL)</span>Rohinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03446521565193135271noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847768817465086038.post-24513128253286426542009-05-12T19:24:00.003+05:302009-05-12T19:30:09.660+05:30Mumbai Ahoy!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dyzAzyCUfQH04RtsjOeKzaUAr-xOpf8TSWuQebNn3XkgNV7HpSWS-Zy5UkZrFdazVHeoeEtWUvCUuo-wNRz_ENG_4TaC6vUCR8GTh2TvBr5Ztu0EXSpxRdHeL-2C9q31mBnaKJLOxmBQ/s1600-h/New+Zealand+Worlds+2008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dyzAzyCUfQH04RtsjOeKzaUAr-xOpf8TSWuQebNn3XkgNV7HpSWS-Zy5UkZrFdazVHeoeEtWUvCUuo-wNRz_ENG_4TaC6vUCR8GTh2TvBr5Ztu0EXSpxRdHeL-2C9q31mBnaKJLOxmBQ/s320/New+Zealand+Worlds+2008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334936748537141106" /></a><br />Mumbai Ahoy!<br />Tuesday, 12 May 2009 09:12 Rohini Rau<br /><br />After winning the Women’s Laser Radial title for the fifth consecutive year and finishing 4th overall at the Chennai Coastal Nationals last month, I am now off to Mumbai to take part in the Ocean Blue YAI Multi Class Regatta in the Laser Radial class.<br /><br />This event is also the selection trials to select the top teams for foreign exposure for all the different classes. Winning isn’t enough. The final decision to send or not to send for foreign exposure rests with the selection committee.<br /><br />I will be sailing the Laser Radial in Mumbai after nearly 2 years! It will be great to sail there again after all the experience I have gained. The monsoons are always challenging in Mumbai, so I am definitely looking forward to some good racing in the coming week. It should be an exciting event as there will be many different classes of boats competing at the same time.<br /><br />Unfortunately the Laser Radial is an open category at the Asian Games 2010, so I will have to compete against veterans like Rajesh Choudhury from the Army Yachting Node who has already won 2 Asian Games medals. But no matter what the outcome of this regatta, I will be heading off to Denmark to take part in the Laser Radial Europeans slated for July and the Laser Radial World Championship in Japan to be held in August. So I am going into this regatta with no pressure. I know I just have to sail my best.<br /><br />I am trying to make it a point to take part in all the national events that are being held this year: Chennai Coastal Nationals, YAI Multi class regatta – Mumbai, and the Laser Inland Nationals – Hyderabad. This will make sure that I get good racing practice in home waters which is crucial for important selection trials.<br /><br />But for now my focus is the 2012 Olympics. I am systematically training towards qualifying India in the Laser Radial Class which is the women’s single hander dingy. It will not be easy but I am determined to give it my best shot!Rohinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03446521565193135271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847768817465086038.post-80040631910177773632009-04-16T22:46:00.006+05:302009-04-16T23:35:06.310+05:30Rohini Rau Sails India into History Books - Wins Bronze in Izola Spring Cup (Slovenia)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWte3bVItRK4zJzPvrrjQ0eWMcxiPSF-Lz6yQJxr9oU1Y6VUfPsOSTNVnaDmxQqzuVVunFc8aE6Tx3vjmE8TicV2xPLrffIGAMj29V20k2IfXvipuXB0j0p7pIs7tIzcrScyeD6JU11tom/s1600-h/Ro+Izola+0.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWte3bVItRK4zJzPvrrjQ0eWMcxiPSF-Lz6yQJxr9oU1Y6VUfPsOSTNVnaDmxQqzuVVunFc8aE6Tx3vjmE8TicV2xPLrffIGAMj29V20k2IfXvipuXB0j0p7pIs7tIzcrScyeD6JU11tom/s320/Ro+Izola+0.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325340410028482642" border="0" /></a><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CROHINI%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} h1 {mso-margin-top-alt:auto; margin-right:0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; mso-outline-level:1; font-size:24.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; font-weight:bold;} p {mso-margin-top-alt:auto; margin-right:0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p><b style="">(Report written by Ajay Rau – fellow international sailor, brother and student of Communications & Journalism at UNSW, Sydney) <o:p></o:p></b><b></b>
<br />On Sunday 12<sup>th</sup> April, 2009, Rohini made history for Indian Olympic sailing at the 2009 Izola Spring cup –ISAF Grade 3 event. The Royal Madras Yacht Club sailor is the First Indian Woman to finish on the podium in an International Olympic Class Regatta.
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<br />This is her first International medal in the single hander Radial class. She is not new to making history. Team Pallavi Naik and Rohini Rau won <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place>’s first women’s sailing Asian Gold medal in the 420 Class in Mumbai in January 2004. And in October 2008 Rohini was part of the first Indian Match Racing Team to win an Asian Gold at the Regional finals of the Nations Cup held in Mumbai. <b><i>But this medal is even more special as this medal was achieved in a single hander Olympic Class of Boats in International waters.</i></b>
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<br />Despite having the worst possible start to a regatta (DSQ: scoring maximum points) Rohini managed to climb back strong and win the bronze medal. She did well to keep the home favorite at bay and only gave Marusa Krasevac (SLO) a sniff of the bronze medal. She fought hard against Fellow Gold and Silver medalisits, Elisabetta Macchini (ITA) and Katharina Roeggla (AUT).
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<br />Rohini’s initial reaction after winning the medal.</p> <p><i>" It feels good........I mean I was only 2 points away from silver and then I messed up my last race .It was the first time I had got 2 yellow flag penalties in the first race itself (DSQ)......so in spite of all that...I guess bronze wasn't so bad.....”
<br /></i>Her reaction shows she is not content with just making it to thepodium. She has a burning desire to win.
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<br />4 times Olympian and Coach Allen Jullie (SEY) was all praise. This is what he had to say about Rohini:</p> <p> <i>“She kept a cool head and focused right through the regatta. Her goal this month was to just get into shape as she had been racing different classes of boats. She surprised all of us by winning the bronze medal after a 1 year break from international competition in the radial class. She has potential to create waves in the international sailing scene. She is a medical student; yet she has been able to train hard and sail. I am happy to be working with the Indian athlete.”
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<br />When asked how it feels to be the first Indian Woman to Win a medal in a Women's Olympic Class (Sailing) </p> <p><i>"It's a step in the right direction for Indian women in sailing...after all the support and effort that my parents, brother (Ajay Rau) ,coach Alen Jullie (<st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Seychelles</st1:country-region></st1:place>) and fitness trainer Ramji Srinivas have put in...I guess this is only the beginning....” </i>The 2007 YAI woman sailor of the year said with pride.
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<br />She also thanked the <b>SDAT</b>( Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu),<b>SAI </b> (Sports Authority of India) and <b>AMM Foundation </b>for their long time support.
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<br />To win a medal in <st1:place st="on">Europe</st1:place> is remarkable as it hosts some of the toughest circuits on the tour. For an Indian woman to win medals in sailing was “just a Dream” not so long ago. This experience should help her shape up well for the forth coming National Championships against the men where she finished 3rd overall last year. This is also good preparation for major events like the European and World Championships for which Rohini will be representing <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>.
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<br />This historic feat will do well to inspire women sailing in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> at an International and Olympic level. Hopefully the repeated achievements by this young sailing star will finally get the attention she deserves from the Indian selectors and officials to support her and women sailing.
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<br />She was presented with a plaque from Slovenian Sailing legend Vasilij Zbogar Olympic Silver (08) & Bronze (04) medalist after achieving this milestone.
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<br /><b>Results</b></p> <h1>Laser radial women</h1> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="" border="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody><tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b>No<o:p></o:p></b></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b>Sailno<o:p></o:p></b></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b>Name<o:p></o:p></b></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b>Scores<o:p></o:p></b></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b>1<o:p></o:p></b></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b>2<o:p></o:p></b></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b>3<o:p></o:p></b></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b>4<o:p></o:p></b></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b>5<o:p></o:p></b></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b>6<o:p></o:p></b></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b>7<o:p></o:p></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">1</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">ITA 182954</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">Elisabetta Macchini, CDV Muggia</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">8,0</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">2</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">1</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">1</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">(6)</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">2</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">1</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">1</p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">2</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">AUT 193737</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">Katharina Roeggla, YCW</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">21,0</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">1</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">4</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">4</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">4</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">4</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">(9)</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">4</p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; background: rgb(255, 255, 51) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <p class="MsoNormal">3</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; background: rgb(255, 255, 51) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">IND</st1:place></st1:state> 185820</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; background: rgb(255, 255, 51) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <p class="MsoNormal">Rohini Rau, Royal <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Madras</st1:place></st1:city> Yacht Club</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; background: rgb(255, 255, 51) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <p class="MsoNormal">32,0</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; background: rgb(255, 255, 51) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <p class="MsoNormal">(dsq)</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; background: rgb(255, 255, 51) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <p class="MsoNormal">3</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; background: rgb(255, 255, 51) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <p class="MsoNormal">5</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; background: rgb(255, 255, 51) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <p class="MsoNormal">2</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; background: rgb(255, 255, 51) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <p class="MsoNormal">7</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; background: rgb(255, 255, 51) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <p class="MsoNormal">2</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; background: rgb(255, 255, 51) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <p class="MsoNormal">13</p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">4</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">SLO 193700</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">Marusa Krasevac, ŠJK</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">36,0</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">8</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">(14)</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">13</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">1</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">5</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">6</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">3</p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">5</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">HUN 193259</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">Zsodo Juhasz, BYC</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">41,0</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">15</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">8</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">2</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">(21)</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">3</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">8</p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal">5</p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> Rohinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03446521565193135271noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847768817465086038.post-42042053158640610052009-02-03T19:00:00.002+05:302009-02-03T19:03:08.347+05:30Mumbai International Match Race - 2008<h2 class="title">Mumbai International Match Race ‘09 <i>in a nutshell</i> : ROHINI RAU</h2> <div id="stats"> <span>3 February 2009</span> <span></span> <span>No Comment</span></div> <p>Sailing started as a leisure activity and soon became an addiction for her. And soon the addiction transformed her life so much that she simply refused to get out of it. Meet Rohini Rau, whose addiction to sailing has fetched her one Asian Championship gold medal, many national titles and also made her the first Indian woman sailor to be ranked in the international chart.</p> <p>She has the rare distinction of bringing home Tamilnadu’s first gold medal for India in Sailing and along with her sailing partner Pallavi Naik from Goa Yachting Association of being the first girls to win a gold medal for India in Sailing at an International Meet.</p> <p><a href="http://www.giirayachts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/mumbaiinternationalmatchrace09_rohinirau_image1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1746" title="mumbaiinternationalmatchrace09_rohinirau_image1" src="http://www.giirayachts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/mumbaiinternationalmatchrace09_rohinirau_image1.jpg" alt="" width="448" height="336" /></a></p> <p>Also, she was apart of one of the girl teams in the Mumbai International Match Race ‘09 that concluded last week…and she has sent her detailed report of the entire event; concluded with a report on the ISAF Nations Cup last year - in which their performance got them competing in their first Women’s International Match Racing Association (WIMRA) event.</p> <p><strong>THE T20 OF SAILING…</strong></p> <p>“I love sailing my Laser Radial… but I guess I love Match racing even more! I had a hard time convincing my Dad to let me spend Christmas and New Years in New York, and miss the Miami OCR to come and take part in the Mumbai International Match Race – 2008 (which got postponed due to the Mumbai terror attacks). But it was well worth it.</p> <p>I traveled for nearly 21 hours to get to Mumbai on the 20th of January 2009 (New York(JFK) – Dubai – Chennai – Mumbai).</p> <p>Totally jet lagged I met up with the rest of the team – Pallavi Naik (Goa), Alekhya Sudam (Hyd) and Tulsi Khetwal (Bom) a truly national team…as I am from Chennai.</p> <p>We were all set to sail the Qualifiers of the Mumbai International Match Race starting on the 23nd of January 2009 at H2O, Chowpatty, Mumbai.</p> <p>There were a total of 14 teams taking part, including Russian, Finnish and Bahrain Teams. Even though the qualifier was only to choose the Indian teams that would take part in the actual Mumbai International Match Race – 2008.</p> <p>There were only 2 women teams skippered by Pallavi Naik and Ayesha Lobo. One woman’s team by default would get to participate in the MIMR, to encourage women sailors in our country. That was the plan.</p> <p><a href="http://www.giirayachts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/mumbaiinternationalmatchrace09_rohinirau_image2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1747" title="mumbaiinternationalmatchrace09_rohinirau_image2" src="http://www.giirayachts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/mumbaiinternationalmatchrace09_rohinirau_image2.jpg" alt="" width="448" height="336" /></a></p> <p>The 14 teams were split into 2 groups of 7. And each group sailed a Round Robin series. The top 3 teams in each group went on to sail another round robin to decide the final 4 who would sail the Final and petit final.</p> <p>In our group we had 2 time World Champion – Farokh Tarapore, Nithin Mongia, Peter Kochnev (RUS), Azhar Sheik, Ayesha Lobo and Shahid Basheer.</p> <p>It was a tough group, and we weren’t expecting very much. But much to our delight we managed 3 wins out of 6. After narrowly missing out on being the 3rd team in our group after losing to Peter Kochnev (RUS).</p> <p>This meant we had a sail off with the team that finished 4th in the other group. This happened to be against the 300+ kg Finnish team Lauri Kaapa, who had requested for a substitute as one of his team members was down with a fever.</p> <p>In my opinion they should have been sailing with 3 people as they weighed nearly 100 kgs more than we did!</p> <p>As luck would have it, the wind picked up to about 15- 20 knots that afternoon, but due to damage we sailed the race without the spinnaker. We didn’t give up till the end. It was a tough race. We lost to the Finnish team, but still managed an eighth position overall.</p> <p>We were thrilled! We not only beat our only female competitor, we beat the other Indian men’s teams qualified to sail the MIMR in our own right. Not just because we were women!”</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Results of the Qualifier</span> –</p> <p>1. Mahesh Ramachandran<br />2. Farokh Tarapore<br />3. Nithin Mongia<br />4. Aashim Mongia<br />5. Peter Kochnev -RUS<br />6. Ebrahim -BAH<br />7. Lauri Kaapa -FIN<br />8. Pallavi Naik (W)<br />9. M Nadar<br />10. Shahed Bhasheer<br />11. T. Helegaonkar<br />12. Azhar Shaik<br />13. Mahji<br />14. Ayesha Lobo (W)</p> <p><strong>NOW…THE MUMBAI INTERNATIONAL MATCH RACE ‘09</strong></p> <p>“This Grade 2 event attracted 5 International teams – 2 from Russia, 2 from Finland and 1 from Bahrain.</p> <p>With a strong Indian contingent of 6 men’s teams and 1 women’s team, the MIMR – 2008 kicked off on the 25th of January 2009 beginning with a huge turn out at the opening ceremony at H2O.</p> <p>Being the only women’s team in the MIMR had some benefits, but also had its disadvantages. We were one of the lightest teams in the event, even though we had an extra crew member Taramati Matiwade. We were also the team with the least experience.</p> <p>With 5 women on board, things could get a little difficult. There was a lot of confusion on board, but we sailed to the best of our ability. It was a little disheartening to find that we couldn’t win a single race. Due to various reasons, the wind gods weren’t very kind to us, blowing at 15 – 20 knots.</p> <p>It was a test of stamina and grit as on the second day of racing we had to sail 6 races back to back. I think it took a toll on all of us. Pallavi had hurt her knee, the rest of us were bruised and quite tired.</p> <p>All in all, the experience made us realize that we had to work and practice harder to be more competitive in the breeze.</p> <p>These were tough conditions for the other teams too, ISAF world ranked 15 Arbuzov from Russian who had also won the MIMR -2007, did not have it easy. After losing to Lauri Kaapa (FIN), Farokh Tarapore and Nithin Mongia (IND) .I guess the Match Racing Association of India (MRAI) have been doing something right.</p> <p>Farokh was glad that he had given Arbuzov a hard time, definitely one of his highlights in this event.</p> <p>The 12 teams had to sail a complete round robin to determine the top 6 teams who would sail the semi – finals. But it was the Indian star Nitin Mongia who ruled the first day with 100% wins.</p> <p>By the second day the top 6 teams were chosen to sail the semi final :-</p> <p>1. Arbuzov<br />2. Olli Pekka<br />3. Farokh Tarapore<br />4. Mahesh Ramachandran<br />5. Nithin Mongia<br />6. Lauri Kaapa</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Umpire for a day</span></p> <p>I had the rare distinction of becoming part of the Jury for the semi – final. I was an umpire for the day with International Jury Piero Occheto (ITA). It was an amazing experience umpiring a Grade 2 semi-final.</p> <p>I was the yellow boat for all the races, which meant I had to report whatever the yellow boat did during the race, and thus help in making decisions on penalties, etc.</p> <p>All the time that I had been a mere spectator on Ajay Balram’s (IU) umpire boat finally paid off, as I was familiar with the terms used.</p> <p>Aware of the responsibility I had to make the right calls, I did whatever I could to the best of my ability. Pierro acknowledged my contribution by saying I would make a good IU (International Umpire) one day.</p> <p>The match with Farokh and Nithin was indeed an exciting match; there were 2 penalties, one for each boat during the pre –start, that cancelled each other out. But in the end Nithin Mongia and Laura Kaapa (FIN) were knocked out.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Final</span></p> <p>Now on Day 3 it was time for the Final and petit – final. After a long wait on shore, the wind gods, in all its fervor, made the day’s racing a true challenge.</p> <p>Much to our disappointment, the Indians were out of the Final. Which left the Russian and the Finn’s to fight for the title.</p> <p>I must admit it was a treat for every spectator who bothered to come out on a hot Saturday afternoon to witness some good Match Racing.</p> <p>World Champion Farokh Tarapore and the Asian Games silver medalist R. Mahesh raced in the petit – final for 3rd place. The team that scored 2 points won; the same with the Final between Arbuzov (RUS), who was defending his title, and Olli Pekka from Finland.</p> <p>Both had one win each, which meant each team, had to sail another race, to determine the final positions. This was as exciting as it could get. The T-20 of sailing, sitting on the umpire’s boat, I had the front row seat.</p> <p>Places changed, no one knew who was going to win until the last moment. There was a fierce tacking match with the 30 kg lighter Farokh Tarapore and R. Mahesh. With 15 – 20 knot breezes, Farokh went on to prove that it is pure technique and skill that wins you matches. Farokh beat Mahesh, in an epic race to finish 3rd overall.</p> <p>The Final was just as exciting, Olli Pekka was ahead of Arbuzov after the first leg, but ended up having a luffing match near the bottom mark. This cost the Finnish team a great deal, as they cork – screwed dangerously with the spinnaker, nearly losing control.. The bow – man Jonas definitely deserves a special mention, as he handles the entire fore deck single handedly. But even the experience of America’s Cup helm (ITA) Jes Grahm Hansen on board couldn’t help them.</p> <p><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" width="425" height="344"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xe0TKDrcXYg&hl=en&fs=1"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xe0TKDrcXYg&hl=en&fs=1" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></p> <p>The Russian team, skippered by Arbuzov, showed us why he was ranked 15 in the world, by clinching the title for the 2nd time.</p> <p>The Mumbai International Match Race – 2008, organized by the Match Racing Association of India was a well run event, in spite of all the problems it faced. Right from the Mumbai Terror attacks, to the recession – leading to lack of sponsorship. A big thank you to West Coast Marine and the Indian Navy and H2O who made this event possible.”</p> <p>For further details do refer the MRAI website http://www.mrai.in/</p>Rohinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03446521565193135271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847768817465086038.post-81581487124405932562008-10-02T21:45:00.004+05:302008-10-02T22:58:21.997+05:30420 and J24 - something with the numbers 2and 4 (also my birthday;)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_wpejXCD-A9lq1Q0oGNOlGSJEJ6Jek8VfftqsUAqo18FYY-PWFtBkYSoc80-NTFqZCPHi9gpm2PepIQJjHryVxE9kSAzrMLtRKp1QlL9Lww5nHKBH1noKURyo3EPAq8sSFBy5340AGym/s1600-h/j24.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_wpejXCD-A9lq1Q0oGNOlGSJEJ6Jek8VfftqsUAqo18FYY-PWFtBkYSoc80-NTFqZCPHi9gpm2PepIQJjHryVxE9kSAzrMLtRKp1QlL9Lww5nHKBH1noKURyo3EPAq8sSFBy5340AGym/s320/j24.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252609575017549602" border="0" /></a>I sailed the 420 nationals that was hosted by the Royal Madras Yacht Club in September 2008. I had just finished my exams ... and was in the middle of practical exams when I got sucked into sailing the 420 with Pallavi - another one from Chennai this time. The only difference was that I was going to be helming.<br />For about a week or so we practiced together... she would come over to the club after school, I would make it between studying for my practical exams.<br />It was great stepping back into the 420. Memories came flooding back... I remembered why I loved the boat so much.<br />I started racing with no great expectations... I was looking at it more as a great way to give something back, in the way of teaching someone. And also to see if I had it in me to helm this boat. She weighed 43 kilos and I was about 64, The weight was definitely in the wrong place, but I think we did quite well in the 15 knot breeze. We started off finished 8th and 7th in the first few races. But towards the end we started to get a little more confident, finishing 4th and finally 3rd overall in the last few races.<br /><br />We finished a creditable 5th overall out of 15 and won the Women's National Title. It felt great!<br />Thanks Pallavi for the opportunity, I had a blast :)<br /><br /><br />I also sailed the J24 and match raced for the first time. It was an all girls team with Pallavi Naik (Goa) skipper, Trisha Sabir (Goa), Alekhya (Hyd) and I (Mad) lol...haha We called ourselves the 'Good Fun Team'.<br />It was the selection trials for the women and men's teams to take part in the Regional Finals that was going to held in Bombay in Oct 2008.<br />We had had hardly 1 day before the selection trials to finally sail together as a team as every one was either falling sick,,, or getting sea sick ;)<br /><br />All in all it was another great experience, We beat Ayesha's team by the skin of our teeth. Our first surprise win was beating Ashim Mongia after being nearly 20 boat lengths behind... that was an amazing race,,, we just crept up from behind him and stole his thunder!... We couldn't believe our luck.<br />Then we had mishaps with our Jib Halyard.... which didn't go up around the windward mark, We lost to Ayesha and had an action replay with Barik.<br /><br />Both Ayesha and us were tied...but she would win the tie as she had beaten us. We thought all was lost, until we realized that there was a knockout race for the 5,6,7,8,9,10,11 and 12th places. But even then, only if we got to sail against Ayesha did we have a chance of winning. To our luck , we were 9th and 10th.<br /><br />The pressure was on... Ayesha was clear ahead, but still had an outstanding penalty! Suddenly we notice near the windward mark, she was head to wind and we passed her. And went on to win that race by a mile.<br /><br />We later realized that Ayesha, had no idea how to do a penalty after all the match racing she has done... she actually did 2 tacks and 2 gybes...<br />So we won.!!!! In spite of all the odds... We get to participate in the Regional Finals, International Mumbai Match race and most probably the Nations Cup 2009 in Brazil :D Woohooo!!!!Rohinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03446521565193135271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847768817465086038.post-90717050800720248162008-06-22T11:55:00.004+05:302008-10-02T23:20:32.531+05:30For the love of sailing<h2><a href="http://www.go-nxg.com/?p=711" title="For the love of sailing">For the love of sailing</a></h2> <!-- <p class="byline"> By <a href="http://www.go-nxg.com/?author=12" title="Posts by Madhumitha">Madhumitha</a> • May 15, 2008</p> --> <p><strong>YOUNG LIKE US</strong> Despite handling the pressures of the sport and pursuing her degree in medicine, Rohini Rau manages to stay afloat. <strong>R.NARAYANAN</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.go-nxg.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/20080515017a1pl6gd02.jpg" title="20080515017a1pl6gd02.jpg"><img style="width: 404px; height: 398px;" src="http://www.go-nxg.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/20080515017a1pl6gd02.jpg" alt="20080515017a1pl6gd02.jpg" /></a> </p> <p>It started as a leisure activity and soon became an addiction . And soon the addiction transformed her life so much that she simply refused to get out of it. Meet Rohini Rau, whose addiction to sailing has fetched her one Asian Championship gold medal, many national titles and also made her the first Indian woman sailor to be ranked in the international chart.</p> <p><strong>When did it all begin?</strong></p> <p>It seems I was hardly a year old when my mom, who was also a sailor, took me to the Royal Madras Yacht Club. That must have been my first tryst with sailing. When I was 11, I used to take part in camps organised by her and slowly got hooked on to the sport.</p> <p><strong>You have been sailing for a decade now. Tell us about your experiences.</strong></p> <p>I started off in the Optimist Class. Since I was too big for the boat, I never made it big in this class. Unfortunately, I was too small for the Laser Radial Class boat. That’s when I got into the 420-class and tasted my biggest success in the Asian Championship in Mumbai in 2004 along with Pallavi Naik. Now, I have moved over to the Laser Radial Class.</p> <p><strong>Given the vagaries of this sport, you have been fairly consistent and successful. What is the secret?</strong></p> <p>The love for the sport keeps pushing me all the time and that is reflected in the good results. When you enjoy doing something, you tend to go all out to make things happen.</p> <p><strong>Sailing must have taught you to handle the ebb and flow of life.</strong></p> <p>Yes. It has helped me grow as a person and also given me the independence to make my own decisions. I have to chart my own course when am all alone in the sea. I used to be a tomboy when I was younger but things are different now.</p> <p><strong>Isn’t it tough battling the elements of wind and water?</strong></p> <p>Many people think that we are fighting against nature. It isn’t so. We sailors have learnt to respect and embrace nature, and use it to our advantage. We know that every day is different, and we have to be prepared all the time.</p> <p><strong>You trained in Europe before going to Portugal for the Beijing Olympics qualifier. What did you learn there?</strong></p> <p>That I was as good as the best sailors in the world! Initially, it was hard but slowly I got used to the competition and took pleasure in beating some of the top sailors. In New Zealand recently, I even finished eighth in one of the races and was so overwhelmed that I cried.</p> <p><strong>You are pursuing medicine as well, aren’t you?</strong></p> <p>Yes. I am doing my second year MBBS at the Chengalpattu Medical College. I take my studies very seriously and even got a distinction in one of the subjects (anatomy) in the first year exams. I plan to specialise in sports medicine. I want to prove that one can excel in both academics and sports at the same time.</p> <p><strong>Do you have any plans as a doctor?</strong></p> <p>Once I finish sports medicine, I want to open a sports centre in India which will have all the facilities under one roof.</p> <p><strong>Who are the other sportspersons you are in touch with?</strong></p> <p>Squash champion Joshna Chinappa and I are very good friends. World Junior Billiards champion Pankaj Advani and I hit it off really well when we met in New Delhi at an awards function. Despite his achievements, Pankaj is down-to-earth. He never forgets to call me on my birthday.</p> <p><strong>The funniest moment in your life was…</strong></p> <p>My two best friends in sailing come from Belgium and Latvia. We enjoy each other’s company and once shot a video of us singing songs. Whenever we watch that video, we burst out laughing.</p> <p><strong>What is your dream destination?</strong></p> <p>South America. Brazil in particular.</p> <p><strong>What is your Olympic dream?</strong></p> <p>I am eyeing the 2012 Olympics in London. For this year’s Beijing Games, I started as late as 2007. Even if India gets a wild card entry to this year’s Olympics, only one can make it. I am third on the Indian wild card entry list. Who knows, I might get lucky and be on the plane to Beijing too!</p>Rohinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03446521565193135271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847768817465086038.post-69932543577778226602008-06-05T22:40:00.000+05:302008-06-05T23:16:29.833+05:30Super Woman!!!????!A lot of people think I have a great life... and that its all hunky dory all the time. But you will all be quite happy to note that I am no extraordinary human being.<br />I also have good days and bad, sometimes more bad days than one would want.<br />It hasn't been easy doing medicine and my sport! My first year was quite hard... I stayed in the hostel, I wasn't able to keep fit, or get much sailing practice but in spite of everything I took part in 7 sailing championships including 3 International ones which made me defer my exams 6 months later.<br />It was hard to watch my batch move on without me. But I wrote my exams and to my amazement I passed!!! But this was only the beginning... 2nd year, I was in a class of 3. Everyone else in my batch were 6 months ahead. The only thing that got me through it were my friends, family and my Dean.<br />I went on European circuits for a total of 5 months... so that made my second year extend by 1 more year. When i came back after the European circuit this time, I was very close to quitting! Yes, I suddenly felt that it was just too much for me to handle and that I wasn't going to be able to do it. I didn't go to college for the first few days. Finally my mom dragged me to college on the 3rd day and we went and met the Dean in charge. I got a lot of support from him, and my friends. Mom said that I had come too far to quit now... They reminded me that I wasn't a quitter! And that I have never started something and not finished it.<br />So here I am, still at it, when everyone around me said that I would quit. When my own coach said I would never make it at a World level - Im now ranked 219 in the World<br />When the rest said that I should quit sailing and concentrate on Medicine now that I have got in - I got a distinction in Anatomy<br />When they said I would never be able to concentrate on my sailing and medicine together - I won the Nationals - top 3 Overall<br /><br />My friends and family stood by me every step of the way. If you have even half of what I have in terms of my family and friends, I would consider you to be quite Super. As they are the ones who make me the <strong>'Super Woman'</strong> I am today...Rohinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03446521565193135271noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847768817465086038.post-12971970686309363182008-06-03T15:24:00.000+05:302008-06-03T15:31:47.300+05:30Back to University!<span style="font-family:arial;">After my really long break (December 21st to April 24th 2008) I am finally back home and back to my books. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I sailed the Coastal Nationals in Chennai soon after I landed here on the 24th of April. It was great to sail in my home waters, even though it was really HOTTT!!!! no seriously it was about atleast 40 - 41 degrees C. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Anyways I managed to finish 1st among the girls... no surprises there. But after I came back on the last day of racing I realised that if only I had finished 1st instead of 2nd in the last race, I would have finished 1st overall.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I settled for the bronze medal overall. The medal actually said ' Second - runner up - MEN' :D haha!!! I showed them. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Well, I now have exams coming up in August, this is my 2nd year exams. yes i am a year behind the rest of my class. So right now my head will be clouded by Pharmacology, Microbiology, Pathology and Forensic Medicine for the next 2 months!</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">HELP!!!!!</span>Rohinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03446521565193135271noreply@blogger.com2