Bertha Han, 15, will sail for Singapore at the upcoming 2013 SEA Games in the optimist class. (Photo 1 courtesy of SingaporeSailing)
Bertha Han, 15, will sail for Singapore at the upcoming 2013 South-east Asian (SEA) Games in Myanmar. This will be her first trip to the SEA Games.
She finished as the the top girl at the 2013 World Optimist Championships and was part of the team that won the team gold at the same event.
We caught up with her to find out more about her sailing adventures.
Les Tan: When did you start sailing? How old were you then?
Bertha: I started sailing when I was Primary 3, I was 9 years old then. I have been sailing for six years, competitively for five.
How did you get started with sailing?
Bertha: I started sailing as a CCA (co-curricular activity) in CHIJ Katong Convent Primary. I decided to take up sailing in Primary 3 because at that period in time, my two older sisters were sailing for their schools, so I decided to follow in their footsteps and start picking up the sport.
What is it about sailing that you enjoy? Has that changed over the years?
Bertha: I enjoy being able to learn a lot of new things due to sailing that I’m not able to learn through academic studies. I also love sailing because it allows me to be myself and to use my own thinking and creativity to do my best.
Lately, this year, I have travelled to many different countries for competitions, and these experiences have helped me to grow and make new friends.
What are your memorable moments in sailing? The good, the bad, the funny. 😉
Bertha: I think the two most memorable moments during my sailing career was right after we had won the team racing title (team champions) against Italy at the recent IODA World Championships at Riva Del Garda. During that time, I was very happy and glad all our hard work had paid off after months of practice for IODA worlds.
My second most memorable moment was when the five of us were on the podium for winning all the titles at IODA worlds. The feeling to be able to stand on the podium to represent Singapore and hearing the national anthem was unforgettable.
I think most of my sailing experiences that I have had are mostly good experiences. Since this year was the year I have travelled the most for sailing, I got to visit many different beautiful places such as Italy, Holland and Spain! I definitely hope to visit more beautiful places next year! 🙂
What are the misconceptions you’ve encountered about sailing?
Bertha: I think one of the misconceptions people have about sailing is that sailing is very easy to do, but actually I believe sailing requires a lot of analytical and tactical thinking. Many people also think that every time the word ‘Sailing’ is mentioned they would relate it to windsurfing, but actually there are many different types of boats that people sail on.
What do you now know about sailing that you wished you knew then?
Bertha: I think when I was younger, I thought that sailing wasn’t very hard to do but I definitely disagree with that now.
Which schools did you represent in sailing? What was a memorable inter-school race for you?
Bertha: In primary school, I represented CHIJ Katong Convent Primary and currently I represent Raffles Girls’ School Secondary. I think in primary school, the competition was not as stiff as it is now. In primary school, it was mostly about having fun and enjoying ourselves as much as we can but now we are all very competitive and hope to win for our school.
You listed reading as a hobby. What good book have you recently read? Why did you like it?
Bertha: I recently read The Magician’s Nephew by C.S Lewis. It’s a very good book that I enjoy because it is about two children venturing into another world. I like to read fictional books that have action in them. Another example of a good fictional book I have read is The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones. 🙂 I have also watched the movie!
Bertha Han Bio
Class: Optimist (Team)
Date of Birth: June 15, 1998
Age: 15
Height: 154cm
Weight: 46kg
School: Raffles Girls’ Secondary School
Hobbies: singing, reading and watching movies
Major Sporting Achievements:
2013 Optimist Asian Championship – Silver and Top Girl
2013 Optimist Asian Team Racing Championship – Gold
2013 Optimist World Championship – Top girl
2013 Optimist World Team Racing Championship – Gold
The Red Crew wish Bertha Han all the best at the 2013 SEA Games! Do drop Bertha a note of support in the comments section if you can. We’re sure she’ll appreciate it. Upload photos showing your support of Bertha on Instagram using #ourteamsg, or on the Team Singapore campaign’s website: www.ourteamsg.com
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