All about exams for Ynez
Young surfer can't wait to start training for next year's SEA Games
Ynez Lim is no stranger to facing the media.
In fact, this was her 11th interview since she won a silver in the RS:One class at the South-east Asia (SEA) Games in Myanmar in 2013.
Little wonder the 16-year-old was cool, confident and all smiles when she met up with The New Paper in the midst of her N-Level examinations.
"I'm taking everything in my stride and just working towards achieving my future goals," said the national windsurfer, who hails from St. Anthony's Canossian Secondary School.
Ynez has been really busy over the last year or so.
After her silver-medal finish in Myanmar, she clinched the girls' Techno 293 bronze at the SIM Singapore Open Asian Windsurfing Championships early this year, booking a spot for the Republic as one of Asia's representatives at the 2014 Youth Olympics, which was held in Nanjing from Aug 16 to 28.
She was eventually picked for the spot and finished 10th out of 21 sailors in the RS:One class.
When she arrived home, Ynez had to quickly come to grips with her looming exams. She was in quite a state by then, and almost decided to skip the whole exam.
"I had just come back from competition and felt really unprepared," she said.
"I'd already missed my mid-year exams and prelims so my mind was just in a state of panic."
The Secondary Four student said the amount of support around her, especially from elder sister, Nicole, a fellow windsurfer, helped her regain focus.
Ynez's co-form teacher, Amanda Choo, said: "I am in constant contact with Ynez's family and my fellow teachers have always been there to support her through studies and her sporting commitments.
"Her independence and discipline helps her catch up with lessons and exams that she has missed."
With the bulk of her time spent travelling, competing and studying, Ynez has had to sacrifice much.
But she said: "I cycle with my siblings and speak to my parents whenever I have any spare time.
"My parents recently threw a surprise advance birthday celebration for me on National Day (she turned 16 on Aug 13) with my childhood friends.
"I am always grateful for whatever time I have my family and friends."
Ynez aims to represent Singapore at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
And like any youngster, her dream is to win gold.
For now, though, she is only focused on her exams.
"N Levels is my priority right now and I'm studying hard every day to get into the Poly Foundation Programme (PFP) by scoring 11 points," she said.
"I will be hitting the water right after my exams so I can't wait to do well and get it over with.
"I have moved on from the Bic Techno board to the RS:X class race board and I can't wait to get started for the qualifiers for next year's SEA Games in Singapore."
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