International medal for determined novice sailor (From Watford Observer)

International medal for determined novice sailor

12:49pm Friday 18th September 2009 in

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A disabled sailing enthusiast has won an international medal, just one year after taking up the sport and seven years after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

Monique Foster, 46, claimed a remarkable silver medal earlier in the month at the inaugural Access Class European Championships, held near the French resort of Montpellier.

Dutch-born Mrs Foster, who represented Great Britain at the event, only began sailing in August last year, when she visited the Colne Valley Special Sailors club, based at Rickmansworth Aquadrome.

She said: “As soon as I stepped into a boat I thought to myself ‘this is for me'. I loved the sense of freedom it gave me. I wanted to learn more and more.”

Mrs Foster, who has also battled another unrelated neurological condition since childhood, said the thrill of competition has allowed her to “forget about her troubles”.

She said: “When you are competing against other people you really don’t have time to worry about your troubles.

“I think a lot of people with similar illnesses hide themselves away but my attitude has been exactly the opposite. I want to achieve as much as possible when I still can.

“Going to the club was the best thing I’ve ever done. Sailing has given me so much joy and, really, changed my life. I haven’t been doing it for long but they say I have a natural talent, which is fantastic.”

Mrs Foster’s recent success, however, was a far cry from her first experience of competition in April. She added: “We were in the Cotswolds and I couldn’t even find the start line. Then, to make things worse, I had a crash.”

Yet by July she had finished an impressive third in the UK nationals, before her second place triumph at the European championships, which concluded on September 13.

Mrs Foster, who lives on the Byewaters Estate with her husband Graham, now hopes to compete at next year’s world championships and possibly the 2012 London Paralympic Games.