Displaying items by tag: Lijia Xu
Movie Covering the Remarkable Lives of Victor Kovalenko, Lijia Xu and Mat Belcher Needs Support
Most sailors will be familiar with the success of Ukrainian-born sailing coach Victor Kovalenko, the most successful Olympic sailing coach in Olympic history - known as the "Medal Maker"
And too with double Olympic Gold medalist Mat Belcher (AUS), one of several Kovalenko's protégés, and Lijia Xu, China's first Olympic sailing gold medallist.
Swiss-based media production company, Storm-School.com, currently has a full-length movie (not a documentary) in production, based on the lives of these three outstanding people, and their incredible struggles against adversity to pursue their dreams, and overcome multiple obstacles and become the very best in their chosen disciplines. The company consists of several well-known identities in the sport, including top photographer Daniel Forster.
More than a movie about sport, Storm School is a lesson that life is what you make of it and to pass through the storms and challenges encountered on the way to success requires passion, determination and vision.
Storm Media is working on a film production about Kovalenko, and the lives of two other famous Olympic sailors. It is not a documentary, but a full feature movie!
Following the loss of a $2.5million funding line from China, they are sending a donation request to friends, family, all other sailors and people of interest:
"If you could support us by posting or distributing this request for donation on your social media platforms, sailing platform or personal contacts,we would be very grateful"
Donate here
Imagination matters when growing up. Children pictures themselves as their heroes and heroines. From film stars, sporting heroes, astronauts and firemen, the list goes on.
Having a vivid imagination is key and playgrounds and playrooms are transformed into iconic venues such as the Brazilian football stadium, the Maracana and Hollywood's Red Carpet. As children grow up, the imagination helps to form dreams which can often turn into reality.
However sometimes when you're about to achieve your dream, it's important to remember the innocence of a childhood imagination. It seems farfetched that on the eve of a four-way Olympic showdown that a soon to be Queen of Chinese Olympic Sailing did exactly that, imagining herself as an A-list actress, parading in front of the world's showbiz media on the red carpet of a Hollywood premiere, eyes of the world on her in an attempt to relieve the pressure of Olympic sport. For Lijia Xu, it worked.
Heading into the Laser Radial Medal Race at London 2012 China's Xu was one of four sailors in with a shout of gold. Out of Xu, Marit Bouwmeester (NED), Evi Van Acker (BEL) and Annalise Murphy (IRL) it was winner take all.
Far from being a perfect race for Xu, it was however, her best Olympic race.
"I meditated and pretended to be an elegant actress with numerous cameras on me," explained Xu. "I sailed the race in my mind over and over again and I was prepared for the spectators on the Nothe course and lots of cameras."
As the cameras started to roll each leading contender concentrated on their own efforts as whoever crossed the finish line first would be crowned Olympic champion.
Bouwmeester took the early initiative but it then swayed to Murphy and then to Xu. As Xu looked to take control she was penalised on the first downwind and forced to make a penalty turn, handing the advantage back to Bouwmeester. However, Xu was in the mood and focused solely on what had to be done. She grabbed the lead and held on to cross the finish line to take Olympic glory.
Watch Lijia Xu's Medal Race back above.
