Maltese Sailor Another Beneficiary Of Perth 2011 Emerging Nations Programme

Malta’s Maya Podesta is one of several athletes that have benefitted from the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championship Emerging Nations Programme.

Podesta is due to head to the final camp in November ahead of the ISAF Worlds but most recently she finished 45th in the Laser Radial at the Weymouth and Portland International Regatta, the Olympic Test Event.

On Weymouth Podesta said, “It’s been a good experience. I’ve never sailed here before; I’ve liked the winds and the conditions over here.”

The Maltese sailor is heading to her second ENP camp and said, “It was a wonderful experience. It helped me to get used to what the conditions will be like when we’re racing in Perth. The training before the worlds will be the last bit of training.”

All of the sailors going to the camps will sail against each other at the ISAF Worlds, nonetheless Podesta was quick to praise the camaraderie within the camps, “It’s amazing how everyone is from different nationalities and cultures and yet we get along well and at the end of the day we are all competitors but we’re good friends.”

Click here to view an interview with Podesta as she talks about the conditions at the Weymouth and Portland International Regatta, her thoughts on the Emerging Nations Programme, the friendship within the camps and her goals going forward.

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