Over 100 youths in Singapore

Familiar faces were on top of the podium at the Singapore National 420 Championship and Laser Trophy

From 4 to 8 June 2008, more than 100 sailors competed in the Singapore National 420 Championship and Singapore Laser Trophy off the east coast of Singapore at the waters in front of the National Sailing Centre.

Viewed as one of the most important local sailing events for the 420 and Laser fleets, the Singapore National 420 Championships and Singapore Laser Trophy have been attracting regional competitors in recent years. This time round is no exception; sailors from Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Germany flocked to Singapore to pit their skills and tactics against one another over a five-day battle on water.

SEA Games gold medalists, Justin Liu and Sherman Cheng successfully defended their title, winning the open division for the second consecutive year. Victoria Junior College’s Tay Jing Xuan and Ho Seth Yenriel took honours in the non-spinnaker division.

Asian Games Laser 4.7 gold medallist Colin Cheng was unrivalled in the Laser Standard division, beating Germany’s Hannes Hollaender by five points. In the Laser Radial division, Victoria Chan shook off close competition with consistent scores to clinch the winning title again. This is the second time Colin and Victoria have secured pole positions in the same competition. In 2006, they both shared similar victories winning the male and female prizes at the Laser 4.7 World Championships in France.

The nationals also served as good preparation for youth sailors Justin Liu, Sherman Cheng, Griselda Khng, Cecilia Low, Lo Jun Hao and Elizabeth Yin for the Kieler Woche regatta in mid-June. The six of them, together with windsurfer Leonard Ong, will be representing Singapore in the Volvo Youth World Sailing Championships from 10-19 July in Århus, Denmark.

The Singapore National 420 Championships and Singapore Laser Trophy serve as selection events for the 2008 Asian Sailing Championships and the first Asian Beach Games both held in Bali, Indonesia later this year in October. Athletes of the following teams: 2008 National Olympic Squad, 2008 ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship Team, 2008 IODA Asian Championship Team and 2008 Optimist ASEAN Championship Team will not be eligible for selection. This is in line with SingaporeSailing's developmental plans for 2010 Asian Games and Youth Olympics.

Results are available here .