Damien Seguin, 28-year old French gold medalist in the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games, does not think he is different than the able-bodied. He refers to the Paralympic Games as the Olympic Games.
Seguin got the first place in the 2.4-meter R class in the just concluded 2008 International Association for Disabled Sailing (IFDS) Qingdao International Regatta held between May 8 and 15.
"For me sailing is a very great and beautiful experience. When you are on the sea, you are away from your problems," Seguin told China Daily.
The sailor took up sailing when he was only 10. Though he was born disabled, his sanguine spirit and formidable sailing experience helped him win a gold medal at the 2004 Paralympics, which he considers the biggest achievement of his sailing career.
Already qualified for the coming Paralympics to be held in Beijing in September, Seguin said his goal is to win another gold medal.
"I can not say I will win, but I will do my best."
He said the secret of his success "is because of my sail and mast, which are specially designed and help me hold the wind better - I like wind, whether light or strong".
Three years ago Seguin himself designed the equipment on his computer and had it made by manufacturers.
"To compete in international games, you have to get good equipment that should adapt to different environments," he said.
"For example, the race here in Qingdao is quite different from that in Europe. The winds and currents are so different. So far I have adjusted the equipment over 10 times."
Although already a Paralympic champion himself, Seguin also has his own idol, Eric Tabarly - a former officer in the French navy who is often considered the father of French yachting.
"He is a great sailor and made sailing a really beautiful experience."
Seguin is a school teacher who coaches children aged 10 to 19 in almost every kind of sport.
He also founded the Des Pieds et des Mains - Feet and Hands - Association to promote equal opportunities for disabled people, raise awareness of related issues and raise resources to compete in the world's leading offshore races.
"It is the most important for me that the disabled and the able-bodied can sail together."
And he is often deeply touched by other disabled sailors.
"The sailor from Sweden is so great. He has no arms but only hands (directly on his shoulder) and his legs cannot move, yet he can sail like me. It is really amazing."
"I've been to Qingdao for training before and this is the third time that I came to the beautiful city and I can see all people here are happy to welcome the Olympics."
"Last time I trained with Chinese sailors here. They are nice guys. As newcomers in sailing, they don't have much experience but they tried their best and made progress."
Seguin said the coming Beijing Paralympics will be the last Olympic event in which he will participate.
The biggest challenge for him will then be racing in the Vendee Globe, a round-the-world single-handed yacht competition, sailing non-stop and without assistance, he said.
(China Daily May 16, 2008)