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Al-Ahram Weekly 27 Jan. - 2 Feb. 2000 Issue No. 466 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 27 Jan. - 2 Feb. 2000 Issue No. 466
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Features Profile Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters A share in the booty
By Abeer Anwar
Italy's Alessandra Seseni, winner of the Al-Ahram Penta Mistral 2000 World Cup, started sailing at 13. "I was into athletics, swimming and basketball, which I liked most, but I didn't like the team so I decided to take up an individual sport," Seseni, 29, said.
photo: Mohamed Wassim
"The place is fantastic and so is the weather," Seseni, bronze medalist in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, said about Safaga -- overlooking the Red Sea where the championship was held. "I kept asking myself, 'Why haven't we ever heard of windsurfing championships in Egypt before if it has such facilities.' What adds to the enjoyment is that we were competing in the same place where we were staying, which made things much easier. In some other championships, we have had to take buses from the hotel to the site and back with all our equipment, making it very hectic."
As for her preparations for the Sydney Olympics, Seseni understands all too well the daunting task ahead. "I will face strong competition from New Zealand, China, France and Holland." That's why she opted for a gruelling pre-Olympic programme. Following Safaga, she will enter the World Championship where she will try to improve on her fourth place finish last year. In March and April, she goes to Italy and France for international competitions and in May the European Championship awaits, followed by the German International Championship in June. Seseni hopes for first or second place in Sydney "but if I can win another bronze, that would make me very happy".
Seseni, who loves to travel and says windsurfing has allowed her to see much of the world, was especially pleased that the Al-Ahram championship was the first to offer prize money in the women's event. "At last we are equal to men money-wise."
Seseni has no plans to retire until she sees how she will fare in the Olympics. "If I do well, I will continue until I feel I can achieve nothing more." As to marriage, "it will come after I finish sports. I like to enjoy things one by one. When I finish my sports career, I will look forward to the family".
