The 31-year-old, a silver medallist in the 2002 Games in Busan, could not have been more happier than when news came through that the course at the West Bay Lagoon in Doha has been shortened to 1,000 metres instead of 2,000, which will suit her style.

"I see this as an opportunity to get a gold. I am a fast starter. I always maintained a very good speed at the beginning and the fact that the course is 1,000 metres in length will benefit me,'' said Phuttharaksa, who was born to a hill-tribe family in Chiang Mai.

On the Nakdong River, the rowing venue for the 2002 Games in the northern South Korean city, Phuttharaksa led all the way through the first half of the distance with a time of 2:15.47 minutes, while her Chinese arch-rival Fu Fengjun was behind with 2:16.18. But her speed dropped during the last 1,000 metres and Fu grabbed the chance by switching gears and crossing the line first for the gold.

In the World Rowing Championships, in Eton, England, the country's top rower was behind only Frenchwoman Sophie Balmary during the first 1,000 metres before ending in 10th place. Not only was her position the best among Asian competitors but also the time of 7.54 minutes was the best she had ever performed.

Phuttharaksa has been showing steady improvement in the last two Asian Games, taking the bronze in Bangkok and the silver in the 14th edition in Busan.

"I have to take good care of myself by trying to stay healthy and not get sick. I will try to stay focused during the competition because I always get excited and a bit nervous,'' said Phuttharaksa, who is confident she will get at least a silver medal.

Apart from the individual event, Phuttharaksa will enter the doubles with long-time partner Bussayamas Phaengkathok, who shared the silver with her in the women's double sculls in Busan. The duo along with Rattanapon Theppibaan and Anupong Thianjaem, who will compete in the men's lightweight category, are now training at the Mapprachan Reservoir in Chon Buri.

"The competition will take place in open water, so it will be very windy, which is the same as conditions at Mapprachan,'' she said.

However, the only concern for the Thai team is the weight problem of Bussayamas, who has been struggling to cut down two extra kilos. A lightweight rower is not supposed to weigh more than 57kgs.

"Bussyamas has tried hard to lose weight but she still weighs in at 58.5 kilos now. We will try to help her lose half a kilo more and if Phuttharaksa can keep her weight at 56 kilos, that will do,'' said national team manager Lieutenant Somjit Kangnok.

The Chinese team of Xu Dong Xiang and Yan Shi Min are the reigning world champions in the women's lightweight doubles sculls and Thailand, at best, can hope for a silver in the event. But in the individual, Somjit is highly confident that Phuttharaksa can reign supreme.

"Normally Chinese women are the toughest competitors but they have been focusing on the doubles lately. No Chinese were sent to compete in the women's individual lightweight sculls in Eton. I've heard they are afraid of Phuttharaksa as well,'' said the manager, who is also expecting a bronze from Rattanaphon in the men's individual event.

The team will leave for Doha on November 30 and train for three days before the competition which is due to begin on December 3.

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

The Nation