10th All-Africa games in Maputo, Mozambique – Return of gold medallist Julie and other medallists- I feel I’m sailing much faster than before, says Julie |16 September 2011

Experienced Seychellois sailor Allan Julie said this at the Pointe Larue International Airport upon his return yesterday afternoon from Maputo, Mozambique where he won the 10th All-Africa Games Laser standard gold medal.

Julie was greeted as he descended the Kenya Airways KQ 450 flight by Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister Vincent Meriton, and youth and sports principal secretary Denis Rose.

The minister also presented Julie with a bouquet of flowers.

The 34-year-old sailor got out of a three-year retirement this year to prepare for the 8th Indian Ocean Island Games and he dominated the Laser class to win the gold medal to earn a place on Team Seychelles for the All-Africa Games.

Silver medallist behind South African gold medallist Gareth Blanckenberg in Algiers, Algeria in 2007, Julie was focused on climbing onto the highest step of the medals’ podium in Maputo and he did so with eight wins and a second place in nine races.

“It’s unbelievable. I feel I’m sailing faster than before I retired three years ago and I’m happy I’ve won the gold medal,” Julie told Sports Nation.

Asked what his plans are for the future, Julie answered: “Right now I’m unemployed. I would like to do some coaching here but I need to have a good deal before venturing into this project.”

But between now and December he will continue training hard and attempt to qualify for the London 2012 Olympics by taking part in the qualifier in Perth, Australia in December.
If he does not make it in December, Julie will get a second and last chance during next year’s ISAF World Laser Championship in Germany.

In the event of Julie qualifying for the Olympics, it will be his fifth appearance at the Games after those of 1996 in Atlanta, USA; 2000 in Sydney, Australia; 2004 in Athens, Greece; and 2008 in Beijing, China.

The only time the former five-time Sportsman of the Year (in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2005) did not qualify for the multi-sports Games was on his debut in 1996.

Laser standard bronze medallist Rodney Govinden and all the badminton medallists also returned on the same flight.

Seychelles won four medals – two silver and two bronze – in badminton at the Games. Georgie Cupidon and Alisen Camille were the mixed doubles silver medallists; Alisen Camille and Cynthia Course the women’s doubles silver medallists; Georgie Cupidon and Steve Malcouzane the men’s doubles bronze medallists; Georgie Cupidon, Steve Malcouzane, Kervin Ghislain, Alisen Camille, Cynthia Course and Danielle Jupiter were the team event bronze medallists.

Sailors Meggy Gertrude, Beth Gertrude, Roy Govinden and Hansel Esther, and swimmer Shane Mangroo, who all did not win any medal in Maputo, also returned yesterday.

G. G.