Olympic Champs Parkinson-Rechichi miss Monsoon Cup

11:03 AM Mon 1 Dec 2008 GMT

'Elise Rechichi and Tessa Parkinon 470 Women Gold medal with their coach Victor Kovalenko Qingdao 2008' Sail-World.com/ AUS &copy Click Here to view large photo

Beijing Olympics 470 Class gold medallists Tessa Parkinson and Elise Rechichi who had to miss the Monsoon Cup this year due to prior commitments, however would not miss any minute of the action here, thanks to a comprehensive world wide coverage of the event by broadcasting partners.

'Although we are not there to see all the exciting races, we will certainly follow the event closely as it is one of the most exciting races in the world since it decides the World Match Racing Tour champion for 2008.

'I must say we are really going to miss the excitement and world class exposure when sailing against the best sailors in the world, including four-time World Match Racing Tour champion Peter Gilmour who has been an instrumental figure in our success,' said Parkinson from Perth.

'I was part of the crew who helped prepare the boats during the first Monsoon Cup back in 2005 when Gilmour won the title and ever since I have heard that the event had grown into one of the most exciting events in the world match racing sailing calendar with Peter continuing to play an instrumental role,' she said.

Gilmour from Perth, Australia, where Parkinson and Elise started their sailing careers as seven year-olds, had not only guided both of them but his son sail together on the same team with Parkinson's brother.

'He believed in our talent right from the beginning and guided us with his vast experience and created opportunities for me and Elise,' she said.

In fact, since he is involved, Elise and I were looking forward to racing in the Monsoon Cup but things really did not work out due to other commitments, however, we would love to participate next year because the Monsoon Cup is an amazing event.'

After winning the gold in Beijing, Parkinson and Rechichi who have been sailing together since 2003, hope to repeat their feat at the 2012 London Olympics but when time permits, they would compete in other events that are on par with match racing.

'Peter has asked us to help the Malaysian 470 sailors to achieve their goals and we are more than happy to assist Malaysia as it is close to Perth and easy to drop in for some coaching or racing practice.' She said.

Elise on the other hand says she owes her success to the support from his family, guidance from Gilmour and coaches in the Australian Sailing Team.

'I started as a gymnast but my parents felt it was not a suitable sport for me so since we live near the sea, sailing was the next option,' said Elise whose two brothers are also involved in sailing.

She added that after winning the gold medal in the 470 Class, the next option was trying out match racing and had expected to compete in the Monsoon Cup until prior commitments dashed that hope.

'I have heard that the Monsoon Cup was well organized over the last three years and has become a very prestigious sailing event on the World Match Racing Tour. It would have been great competing in Terengganu as I have never been to this part of the world yet,' said Elise who wants to pursue her ambition of becoming a pilot.

The Monsoon Cup that doubles up as the final leg of the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) which decides the overall champion would be held in Pulau Duyong, Terengganu from Dec 3-7.

www.monsooncup.com.my

by Rurrum Communications Sdn Bhd

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Olympic Champs Parkinson-Rechichi miss Monsoon Cup

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