Water sports once prevailed in Fiji, especially competitive dinghy racing.
According to an article published in The Fiji Times on May 6 1996, a young girl conquered the winds to snatch gold.
Savusavu lass Salote Taylor braved the strong winds at the Laucala Bay coastline to beat boys bigger and older than her and win gold medal at the Optimist sailing.
The 12-year-old Savusavu Government School student continued her consistent performance in the squally conditions and scored the best points with her handling and control.
She improved from the previous weekend when the Fiji Games got underway and easily proved to be the best sailor on the day.
“It was quite rough, but I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I didn’t imagine myself winning and the realisation settled in only when I started sailing well,” she said, who won the bronze medal in the last Fiji Games in 1994.
Judges awarded Taylor 6.5 points after watching her steady control at the helm and good judgement after the four races.
Taylor said she practised regularly in Savusavu Bay and her four-year experience paid off with her win. Her Savusavu teammate, Mervyn Lepper, won the silver medal after scoring 6.75 points.
The 14-year-old All Saints student from Labasa was elated with his first-ever medal and said he would have done better had it not been for some rough patches he crossed.
International Primary School student Tom Chubb, who won the national championship ahead of Taylor last year, won the bronze.
“I’m pretty excited about this. Hopefully, I’ll do better next time,” said the 13-year-old.
