By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
After exploring the National Olympic Nautical Stadium of Île-de-France in Vaires-sur-Marne and testing the waters, rower Joanie Delgaco has one word to describe the venue – challenging.
Delgaco and her coach Ed Maerina arrived at the Olympic Village over the weekend and excitedly went to the playing venue on Monday for the final stretch of their preparation.
“Nakapag-rigged na kami ng boat at na-test na rin kaya nakasimula na rin kami ulit ng training,” Maerina told Manila Bulletin/Tempo.
“Medyo maalon at mahangin yung tailwind kaninang umaga (Monday). Kaya itong condition ng water ay gagamayin pa niya,” said Maerina.
Delgaco, however, will have no problem with the boat that she will be using as she is using the same brand of boat that she used in her Olympic Qualification Tournament in South Korea.
While the goals are high compared to her fellow Filipino Olympians, Maerina said they are taking the competition one step at a time. After all, Delgaco’s Olympic qualification proved that the country is trying its best to catch up with powerhouse nations in the sport from Europe.
“Ang target muna namin ay ma-improve ang race results niya para makarating sa final ranking. Malalaman naman natin after the heats at quarterfinals,” said Maerina, who was actually the first Filipino rower to compete in the Olympics, taking part in the 1998 Seoul edition.
“Nakikita ko naman sa kanya na sinisiguro niya na maayos palagi ang preparation niya. Yung mind conditioning nya maganda, lalo na nung nakapag-training siya nito lang sa Germany,” Maerina said.
Delgaco will be the first Filipino to compete in the Paris Games when she sees action in the 10:12 a.m. (4:12 p.m. PH time) heat of the women’s single sculls on Saturday, July 27,
