Sailor Ng ready to start
It's not all smooth sailing in Rio but sailor Ng is ready for action
The winds were so strong that the Olympic rowing events in Rio had to be cancelled last Sunday.
Sailor Amanda Ng knows all about the tough conditions, having lived and trained in the Brazilian city for about six weeks leading up to the Olympics.
The Marina da Gloria at the Guanabara Bay, where the sailing events are held, is just 12km away from the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon - where the rowing events take place.
While teammates Colin Cheng, Elizabeth Yin, Audrey Yong and Leonard Ong started their campaigns yesterday morning (Singapore time), Ng, 22, and partner Jovina Choo will begin their first women's 470 race tomorrow morning (Singapore time).
"I've been in Rio for about six weeks now, and time has really flown (by)," she told The New Paper.
"The extra bit of time that we've spent here has been really crucial for us to get used to the sailing conditions as well as acclimatise.
"Rio is such a tricky venue to sail at, with its shifty winds and strong currents.
"It's awesome to be learning new things every day and become better sailors in the process."
Besides the weather conditions at the sailing venue, much has been said and written about the quality of the water in the Guanabara Bay, and the health risks it may bring to water-bound athletes such as sailors.
Away from the waters, some reports from Brazil have highlighted issues in the Olympic Village such as faulty plumbing and unfinished structures.
But Ng said she and her teammates have learned to adapt to such conditions.
"We have to be mindful to not consume too much water while we're sailing," said the former windsurfer.
"We have to be super conscious of keeping our mouths closed while sailing and not use our hands to eat just to prevent any sicknesses.
"It's all becoming second nature now!"
On the Village, she added: "It's so nice to have the entire Singapore contingent here as one, and to make new friends from other sports too.
"Of course, not everything has been smooth sailing.
"There have been minor hiccups like having problems with the water supply in the Village, but it's all slowly coming together now."
Walking out into the Maracana Stadium during the Opening Ceremony last Saturday has been the highlight of her stay in Brazil so far, and Ng has been lucky enough to grab a picture with a famous sports star.
"My teammates have been lucky enough to meet sporting greats like Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Michael Phelps, while I've been lucky to get a picture with (New Zealand rugby star) Sonny Bill Williams," she quipped.
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