00:02It's crunch time, which means this country's sailors have been doing the necessary ahead of their major assignment in Europe
00:07in October.
00:08They are members of the Andrew Lewis Sailing Academy in Kokoreet, which includes para-sailers,
00:13but it's their belief, desire and passion for the sport which keeps them going.
00:17That includes Gerard Assin, who's looking forward to the prestigious event.
00:21Well, I'm very excited. I'm very, very excited. I'm all ready.
00:24I'm being coached by the best sailing academy in Trinidad and Tobago.
00:30The Andrew Lewis Sailing Academy, I've learned, I've been taught by some of the best coaches,
00:34these best coaches that I know in Trinidad, as a matter of fact, Mr. Christoph Steuven being my head coach.
00:40The Trinidad and Tobago team also comprises two blind sailors, the names being Jaden Vincent and Shannon Madore.
00:47So what does it mean to them to be making the trip to Europe?
00:49Well, it's something new, being able to, you know, learn from the best, study best,
00:54as it relates to this thing that I pick up and enjoy and putting the country on the map.
00:59Well, for one thing, it's very exciting because I know I can speak for both of us when I say
01:03we've never traveled internationally.
01:05So that in itself is very exciting.
01:07But also, I never thought I would be sailing as a blind person.
01:15So, yeah.
01:16Yannick Alliong is one of the assistant coaches dealing with the blind sailors.
01:20He relishes working with a duo, saying the chemistry between coach and athlete is second to none.
01:26The best thing about it, really and truly, is just being able to talk to them in general.
01:31Sailing is a very cooperative sport.
01:32You're always, like, demanded to give information, give context to things.
01:38Always engage with the people that you have around you, right?
01:41Because it's you and then your surrounding areas and the environment.
01:45So you always have to make sure you're on top of things.
01:47And it always invites conversation.
01:48So that's my favorite thing about it.
01:50The youngest sailor in the group cannot be left out.
01:53He's none other than Ivan Stollmeyer, who, despite having an intellectual disability, is a real fighter.
01:59He will be accompanied by his mom, Apollonia, who's also making the trip to support him.
02:04Just so happy that he can actually do something for our country because he is intellect.
02:10So we have the issues when he was growing up with all the front, being part of the disability in
02:18and out of clinics
02:19and finding a sport that he can be included.
02:22So this was the most exciting news for both of us.
02:26So what does a sailing session at sea look like from close up?
02:29With the assistance of head coach Christophe Steuben, that area is also covered.
02:33The World Sailing Para-Inclusive Championships take place in Portugal in the month of October.
02:38As such, preparations are in progress, and that includes sailors from Trinidad and Tobago.
02:43I would say we've more than dotted the I's, crossed the T's.
02:47We've done everything that we can to make sure that the athletes are as best prepared as possible.
02:52Right behind us, we actually have two of our athletes training.
02:55So I think that we have a very, very good chance.
02:59And the reason is because we have such a high participation.
03:03Some fun facts to note is that Trinidad and Tobago are the second largest team going to this competition,
03:07which is a really, really massive thing for such a small, developing island.
03:12And we cannot leave out instructor Akeem Wilson, who is also making the trip to Portugal with the team.
03:18I am really excited for Portugal.
03:20I'm excited for Shannon and all the individual impaired persons.
03:24And the impaired persons, right?
03:27I'm really excited, right?
03:28And I feel that this trip is going to be really fun.
03:32I'm excited and looking for a footy trip.
03:34TNT sailors and technical staff leave these shores on Tuesday in their quest for glory.
03:40We know now on the Chiefs Export.
