American geologist Chris Goldfinger has been helping national sailing rep Viliame Ratului know the aerodynamics, as he believes the sails and wings are almost the same.

The two met way back in February at the Vuda marina.

Ratului has been sailing since he was nine; he is representing Fiji at the France Olympics in Paris later this month.

The duo was farewelled at the Boat Shed in Vuda on Tuesday night.

The Savusavu native and Americans have a shared love for the water, and their friendship is no exception. The duo depart for Paris today.

“When we met, the marina was helping him in many ways. He didn’t have anybody to talk with about sailing,” Goldfinger said.

“We started talking about this sort of thing and improving his understanding on how it all works and what you do in this or that situation. I’m also a pilot, so I know aerodynamics well, and sails and wings are almost the same.”

He said before he got into his career pathway, he was part of the intercollegiate race on the West Coast.

“We would train and train other students to race, the boat is similar to the one Billy Ratului is racing in now.

“You need to make the boat go fast, and how to do it. So, for the level he needs to do it perfectly. It’s a very high level.”

Ratului’s coach in Savusavu, Jeff Taylor, helped him at the beginning.

“I am looking forward to the day, I did not realise that this was the pathway which began in Savusavu” he said.

He acknowledged the support of his community.

Vuda Marina general manager Adam Wade said Ratului hails from a rugby-mad nation; his taking up sailing is breaking new grounds too.

Former national rep Tony Philip Sr said Ratului is in good hands as he has great support from the Vuda Marina and the backing of the Fiji Yachting Association.

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