Sailor Eline Verstraelen sponsored by Gumption
Eline Verstraelen is a talented young sailor with a clear mission. We saw her sail for the first time as a youngster in 2016. We were instantly charmed by her guts and determination. Her gumption, if you like. The bar was set high: she wanted to compete in the 2024 Summer Olympic Games. Thing big, in Gumption-speak. However individual your sport may be, your chances of success are much greater when you surround yourself with the right people. Or, as we like to call it, excel together. That’s why we decided to give her a helping hand. A matter of embracing trust. Every year, she is getting one step closer to achieving her dream.
How are you, Eline?
These are busy times. I’m in Portugal at the moment for training. A week ago, I took part in a competition here. In between, I went back to Belgium to take exams. I’m in my first year of Applied Economic Sciences at the University of Antwerp. I’m currently juggling sailing and studying.
How did the competition go?
The competition in Vilamoura was the first since September. Due to coronavirus, competitions had been suspended for months, so it was fun to be able to compete again. It had been way too long.
This was one of the last sailing competitions before the Olympic Games in Tokyo, so everyone was there. It was incredibly competitive. I finished sixth in the Under 21s and fiftieth in the overall rankings. I train a lot and continue to work hard to become even stronger.
We spoke to you last year in the summer. You told us then that coronavirus hadn’t made things any easier for you as a young athlete.
The fact that there weren’t any competitions messed things up quite a bit. When one competition after the other was being cancelled, it was hard to stay motivated. So, I focused on making a good start at university. Since January, I’ve begun training again intensively. Combining the two seems to be working well.
Eline Verstraelen is a talented young sailor with a clear mission. We saw her sail for the first time as a youngster in 2016. We were instantly charmed by her guts and determination. Her gumption, if you like. The bar was set high: she wanted to compete in the 2024 Summer Olympic Games. Thing big, in Gumption-speak. However individual your sport may be, your chances of success are much greater when you surround yourself with the right people. Or, as we like to call it, excel together. That’s why we decided to give her a helping hand. A matter of embracing trust. Every year, she is getting one step closer to achieving her dream.
How are you, Eline?
These are busy times. I’m in Portugal at the moment for training. A week ago, I took part in a competition here. In between, I went back to Belgium to take exams. I’m in my first year of Applied Economic Sciences at the University of Antwerp. I’m currently juggling sailing and studying.
How did the competition go?
The competition in Vilamoura was the first since September. Due to coronavirus, competitions had been suspended for months, so it was fun to be able to compete again. It had been way too long.
This was one of the last sailing competitions before the Olympic Games in Tokyo, so everyone was there. It was incredibly competitive. I finished sixth in the Under 21s and fiftieth in the overall rankings. I train a lot and continue to work hard to become even stronger.
We spoke to you last year in the summer. You told us then that coronavirus hadn’t made things any easier for you as a young athlete.
The fact that there weren’t any competitions messed things up quite a bit. When one competition after the other was being cancelled, it was hard to stay motivated. So, I focused on making a good start at university. Since January, I’ve begun training again intensively. Combining the two seems to be working well.
Because of coronavirus, university lectures are being recorded digitally, and in my case, that’s a huge advantage. I can fit them in around my training schedule.
On the other hand, it’s quite hard mentally to not see your fellow students. You don’t get to know people when there are no live lectures, especially not when you are taking a major degree course like Applied Economic Sciences.
What’s on the programme in the near future?
This week, there is a Coach Regatta here in Portugal, a small-scale competition. Early June, I’ll be taking part in the Allianz Regatta, followed by the Under 21s European Sailing Championships. That’s my focus. Unfortunately, the European Champs fall right in the middle of my exams, so it will take a bit of working out. I’ll defer a few exams.
As for the Games: our country will be represented in Tokyo by Emma Plasschaert. I often train with her. You push each other to greater heights. Sailing is an individual sport, but without your team and the support staff, you won’t get far. I wish her all the best.
You told us that it’s your ambition to take part in the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
That’s still my goal. We’ll see what the future brings. Coronavirus has shown how unpredictable life can be. But nothing will stop me from continuing to train hard. I still have room to grow and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to do so.
Best of luck with your sport and exams!
Follow Eline via https://www.facebook.com/ElineVerstraelenSailing
Because of coronavirus, university lectures are being recorded digitally, and in my case, that’s a huge advantage. I can fit them in around my training schedule.
On the other hand, it’s quite hard mentally to not see your fellow students. You don’t get to know people when there are no live lectures, especially not when you are taking a major degree course like Applied Economic Sciences.
What’s on the programme in the near future?
This week, there is a Coach Regatta here in Portugal, a small-scale competition. Early June, I’ll be taking part in the Allianz Regatta, followed by the Under 21s European Sailing Championships. That’s my focus. Unfortunately, the European Champs fall right in the middle of my exams, so it will take a bit of working out. I’ll defer a few exams.
As for the Games: our country will be represented in Tokyo by Emma Plasschaert. I often train with her. You push each other to greater heights. Sailing is an individual sport, but without your team and the support staff, you won’t get far. I wish her all the best.
You told us that it’s your ambition to take part in the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
That’s still my goal. We’ll see what the future brings. Coronavirus has shown how unpredictable life can be. But nothing will stop me from continuing to train hard. I still have room to grow and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to do so.
Best of luck with your sport and exams!
Follow Eline via https://www.facebook.com/ElineVerstraelenSailing