IMMINENTLY OFF !
Now it's only six days from departure and a first (transit) visit to Korea ! Our arrival time in Saipan on the morning of the first Grand Prix meeting is even later than we first thought, at 0235 on Saturday morning ! However, the route via Fiji and Seoul has removed the need for stop-overs in Majuro and the obtaining of expensive US visas. We pray for no complications or sagas !
Preparations have gone ahead with enthusiasm, in spite of a progressively wetter "dry season" in Kiribati ! (It seems we have another El Nino !) Apart from minor illness and the odd twinge, all eight of our participating athletes are fit and trying to get on top of their form prior to departure.
NEW INTERNATIONALS.
Three of our team, all with new passports, will make their international debuts in Saipan. Rarely have such opportunities to excel on good facilities been wasted, and we hope the same will apply with these. For two of them, David (jumps) and Raobu (throws), the OAA Championships will be a stepping-stone towards their age-18 competition in October in India, when they compete in the Commonwealth Youth Championships. For the third of the trio, Kiakia, he has proved to be the third-ranked of current athletes in the 800m. He has also produced reputable times in the sprints.
OLD LAGS !
Of the "vets", Kaitinano is running with power and confidence and has been working hard at her field events. Rabangaki will need to get some sleep before arriving in Saipan, since he has been invited to compete in the Grand Prix, starting on Saturday (June 21). He has been working diligently with Tearoba (400m. NR) and they will form a strong half of the sprint Relay team. Tanroo will bring all his experience to the sprints, as will Beteru to the two Hurdles events. They all have targets, hopefully none of them insurmountable !
The rain is a problem, but then it might be raining in Saipan !
Last Modified on 13/06/2008 20:05