A send-off of Olympic proportions

A function in Rarotonga has brought together the Cook Islands sailing fraternity from across the country to bid farewell to two Olympic hopefuls in the final days before their departure.

Sailors Helema Williams and Taua Elisa won’t face an easy task in attempting to realise their Olympic dreams, though, with the pair set to face hundreds of other aspiring athletes in Germany and England shooting for the same goals.

Elisa will leave the Cook Islands for Germany today to compete against 169 other men in the World Laser Championships.

Twelve male sailors will qualify for the London Olympics at the event.

Williams will join Elisa a week later for the women’s side of the competition in a field of 140 sailors.

The pair received an added inspiration from their farewell function on Thursday night, which brought together sailors from Rarotonga, Aitutaki and their home island Manihiki for the celebration.

New Zealand Olympic gold, silver and bronze medallist Barbara Kendall was brought in as the keynote speaker for the night.

She used her time to encourage the young Cook Islands sailors to dream big and work hard in sailing.

Kendall shared an insight into the sacrifices and struggles that are needed to become an Olympic athlete, but said the experiences had and people you meet at the world’s biggest sporting event were incomparable to anything else.

The night included a special performance from Aitutaki’s young contingent, who were at the end of Sailing Cook Islands’ school holiday programme and national championships.

They sang and danced for Williams and Elisa before presenting them with gifts and goodwill to help them on their way.

Williams said that she and Elisa were delighted with the support shown from the sailing fraternity and that it added an extra source of inspiration ahead of their journey to Europe.