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Gabriel Moran (ECU), 21, was one of nine international athletes that took part in the first of seven intensive training camps of the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships Emerging Nations Programme (ENP) at Fremantle Sailing Club in Western Australia. He was joined by athletes from Chinese Taipei, Cook Islands, Latvia, Czech Republic, Singapore, Moldova and Mexico who ventured to WA in a bid to develop their sailing skills under the guidance of ENP and Australian Olympic sailing coaches Arthur Brett and Belinda Stowell.

Moran will take part in his first competitive international regatta since the conclusion of the ENP camp late next week at St Margaret Sailing Club in Nova Scotia, Canada at the 2009 Laser World Standard Senior Championship, which runs from 20-26 August.

"I wanted to thank Perth 2011 again for letting me participate in such a spectacular programme. I had the time of my life, learned so much and now I'm motivated to continue my training that started back in Perth," Moran wrote to Perth 2011 this week.

"This Monday I'm flying to Canada to compete in the Laser World Championships. I'm hoping I can finish the regatta in a good placing and do the things that you taught me."

Moran's training at the weekend in the waters off Salinas, Ecuador saw him joined by an unusual racing partner, a breaching whale! (Moran is sailor closest to the whale).

The Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships Emerging Nations Programme is designed to encourage and assist developing and emerging sailing nations to participate in the Olympic Sailing Competition, increase the number of participating ISAF Member National Authorities (MNAs) and subsequently the number of competitors at the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships in December 2011. From this World Championship, it is hoped 'emerging' talent identified during the ENP will qualify to represent their country in sailing at the 2012 London Olympic Games.

The second Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championship Emerging Nations Programme camp will commence in late November. ISAF Member National Authorities looking to register their interest in participating or the interest of any of their athletes are requested to contact ISAF Events Secretary via the link below.

Click here to contact the ISAF Events Secretary.

The Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships Emerging Nations Programme is proudly supported by the Australian Federal Government, the Western Australian State Government and Jason Mazda - Official Vehicles Supplier to the Perth 2011 Emerging Nations Programme.

Find out more about the ISAF Sailing World Championships at www.sailing.org/isafworlds.