Not so long ago I was introduced to sailing not by my personal urges to have a try but by the need to be more professional in my job. I was marketing dinghies and couldn’t be selling them when I didn’t have a clue about what makes the wind driven mode of transport tick! Little did I know that that would have sparked off a trail of events that have led me to where I am now.
Graduating with a Diploma in Business Studies (Marketing), I was working down the path of sales & marketing, projects, promotions and deadlines, etc. The challenge of each project and meeting new people in the process has always kept me going. Being one that loves the outdoors, I had to grab every opportunity to get the occasional weekends off trekking, hiking or biking.
I got hooked on sailing when I realised that it could take on so many different forms from racing to cruising, with a team or solo, dinghies to luxurious 80 footers. What gets me the most is, the basics are the same but it’s different each time you go sailing – which type of boat, whether you are racing or just cruising or whether it is just a couple of hours or a few days. It’s unpredictable. Now that’s what gives me the buzz.
It’s been over 6 years now and I have not looked back but always forward to the next challenge along this path I’ve chosen.
Currently...
I will be competing in the European Mini racing circuit this year with Feng. Sponsored by Pearl Energy for 2006, I hope to gain a better competitive advantage with the experiences and lessons learnt in the past year.
The longest race in the 2006 seaon is the Azores Race which is similar to the Mini Transat but only shorter. It's a 2,600nm solo race to the Azores from Les Sables and back.
Meanwhile, we will also be looking to get involved in bigger offshore classes to take my sailing up to the next level.
| Sailing CV |
|
| Currently | Competing in the European Mini 2006 circuit. |
| 2006 | |
| April – May | B&Q Asian Tour / Asian Record Circuit – Crew from Shanghai to Singapore |
| January | Singapore Straits Regatta – Scallywag (Sydney 32) |
| 2005 | Mini Transat 2005 – Feng (Zero 6.5) Training and qualifying in Mediterranean with Feng Races: Odyssee D’Ulysse, Course Du Lion, Mini Solo, Mini Fastnet |
| 2004 | |
| May – September | Campaigning for the Mini Transat 2005 |
| November – January | Races in Asia with Feng: Raja Muda International Regatta, King's Cup Thailand, Singapore Straits Regatta Hong Kong to Vietnam Race – FfreeFire (ULDB 70) China Sea Race, Hong Kong – FfreeFire (ULDB 70) Langkawi International Regatta, Malaysia – Dewi Bayu Manila to Borocay Race, Philippines – FfreeFire (ULDB 70) Phang Nga Bay Regatta, Thailand – Joan Marie (First 40.1) Singapore Straits Regatta, Singapore – Scallywag (Sydney 32) Freelance delivery skipper / racing crew |
| 2003 | Phuket King’s Cup, Thailand – Joan Marie (First 40.7) Raja Muda International Regatta, Malaysia - Dewi Bayu (Farr 36) Asean Regatta, Malaysia – Pla Loma (DK43) Aegean Regatta, Greece – Heavy Weights (Mount Gay 30) |
| April | Nominee for Singapore Youth Awards 2003 |
| Mar – October | Running Team Pla Loma (DK43) |
| November – February | Team member of Singapore Trans-Oceanic Challenge Training in Sydney and Hobart on the McIntyre 55 (Expedition cancelled) |
| 2002 | Runner-up for Yachtmaster of the Year 2002 awarded by Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Running Team Pla Loma (DK43) 1 week internship with Sobstad / Elvstrom Sail Loft in Malacca 2 weeks internship with DK yacht builders in Malacca Regattas on board Pla Loma (Farr 40): Singapore Straits Regatta, Singapore Monsoon Cup, Singapore Coronation Cup, Thailand Koh Samui Regatta, Thailand RSYC Regatta, Singapore Other regattas: Cowes Week, UK (Sigma 38) Phang Nga Bay Regatta, Thailand (X-99) |
| 2001 | Completed BT Global Challenge Crew on Pla Loma (Farr 40) for: RSYC Regatta, Singapore Western Circuit Sailing Regatta, Singapore Asean Regatta, Malaysia Raja Muda International Regatta, Malaysia King’s Cup, Thailand |
| 2000 | September – BT Global Challenge 2000/1 (Save the Children) Crew on a delivery sail of a BTGC 67’ from Hong Kong to San Francisco (35 days) Stayed in the UK to get the 72’s ready for the race and trained with crew |
| 1999 | October – Confirmed a position on the BT Global Challenge (BTGC) November – 10 days of training in Plymouth, UK |
Qualifications
- RYA Yachtmaster Offshore
- RYA Sea Survival
- RYA VHF / GMDSS
- RYA Diesel Engine Course
- RYA First Aid
- ISAF Sea Survival
Licences
- Class 3 / 2B (Cars / motorbikes up to 200cc)
- Power Pleasure Craft Driving License
- Padi Open Water
Contact
Email: info@elainechua.com