Denise Lim and Justin Liu at the ISAF Sailing World Cup held in Qingdao. (Photo courtesy of ISAF)
Qingdao, China, Sunday, September 20, 2015 — Singapore’s Nacra 17 pair, Justin Liu and Denise Lim, and the 470 Women’s pair of Priscilla Low and Lee Shu Xian have qualified Singapore for two more Olympic berths in the Qingdao leg of the ISAF (International Sailing Federation) Sailing World Cup.
The only Asian leg of the ISAF Sailing World Cup series was also the Asian continental qualification for four Olympic classes – 470 (men and women), Nacra 17 (mixed) and Finn (men).
The team of Liu and Lim sailed a consistent series, winning the majority of the races and went into the final medal race with a comfortable lead. They remained focused and finished the event with a clear lead to top the fleet in China, beating their Asian rivals from China, Japan, Hong Kong and Thailand to clinch the sole Olympic qualification slot for Singapore. In second place was Wen Zijin and Rubel Yuan, with Tat Choi Fung and Yu Ting Chan fromHong Kong rounding up the podium.
The pair did well to rise to the challenge and the occasion, with steady improvements throughout the past year when they decided to pursue an Olympic campaign. Initially behind other Asian countries in the events throughout 2014 and 2015, they have steadily improved and performed above expectations to produce a splendid regatta when it mattered. The pair also secures an invite to the ISAF Sailing World Cup Grand Finals in Abu Dhabi later in October this year.
In the 470 Women’s fleet, Singapore’s Priscilla Low and Lee Shu Xian placed 13th overall to narrowly clinch the only Asia qualification spot ahead of their other contesting rivals from Malaysia and Hong Kong. China and Japan have already qualified from the 2014 World Championships and did not feature in this tussle for the remaining sole Asian berth.
The girls started the series strongly, being in the top 10 until the later stage of the regatta. But they managed to hang onto a slim points margin to edge out recent SEA Games gold medalists Nuraisyah Jamil and Norashikin Mohd Sayed who were in 14th position.
Other Singaporeans at the event fared well also. Elizabeth Yin made the final medal race in the Laser Radial women event and placed 7th (out of 28). Colin Cheng and Scott Sydney finishing in 14th and 27th (out of 38) respectively in the competitive Laser Men’s fleet. Darren Choy and Jeremiah Yeo finished the regatta in 14th position.
Mr Rupert Ong, SingaporeSailing Vice President overseeing High Performance congratulated the sailors on their continued good performance.
“It is heartening to see our sailors working hard on their campaign and towards realising their Olympic dreams. Fantastic to know that Singapore will be represented in another 2 events and we are sure that all our sailors will continue to strive hard to do Singapore proud in Rio,” said Ong.
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