Contributed by Darrelle Eng

VOLVO YOUTH SAILING ISAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Team Singapore at the Volvo youth sailing ISAF world championship in Brazil. This is the first time Singapore has bagged two medals at this event with Elizabeth Yin winning the gold in the Laser Radial event while the duo of Griselda Khng and Cecilia Low took the bronze in the 420 girls event. (Photo courtesy of Singapore Sailing)

Buzios, Brazil, July 18, 2009 – The seven Youth Worlds titles went to seven nations as Australia, France, Great Britain and Singapore joined Brazil, Hong Kong and New Zealand as gold medal winners on the final day of the 2009 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship in Buzios, Brazil.

Local sailor Elizabeth Yin did Singapore proud after a fantastic final day of racing in Brazil by taking home first position in the Girls Laser Radial event.

Australian cousins Jason Waterhouse and Lisa Darmanin, French windsurfer Joseph Gueguen and British 420 Boys Phil Sparks and Ben Gratton also came in tops in their respective events.

Brazilian Girl's 420 crew Martine Grael and Kahena Kunze, windsurfer Hei Man Chan of Hong Kong and New Zealand's Sam Meech in the Boy's Laser Radial also took home top honours.

One final race was held for each event on another bright and breezy day in Buzios and whilst seven different nations ended up winning medals, France was undoubtedly the star performer. The French ran out clear winners of the Volvo Trophy, the prize awarded for the top-performing nation, and picked up two silvers and two bronze to add to Gueguen's gold.

Last year's Volvo Trophy winners Great Britain came in second this time around, ahead of Italy, with Brazil scoring a best-ever result of fourth and New Zealand fifth.

Singapore's Elizabeth Yin won Asia's second gold medal of this championship with a typically assured performance in today's final race of the Girl's Laser Radial event. Yin began the day with a six-point lead over Anne-Marie Rindom (Denmark).

Heidi Tenkanen (Finland) and Mathilde De Kerangat (France) again showed their speed in the breeze to place first and second in today's race but behind them the focus was on Yin and Rindom, with the Danish skipper needed at five boats between her and the Singaporean to take gold.

Yin though was not to be denied, coming in seventh, just two places behind Rindom to secure the title. Denmark won silver, with De Kerangat's second place today elevating her up into the bronze medal position.

In addition, Griselda Khng and Cecilia Low also took home a bronze medal in the 420 girls event, making it the first time ever that Singapore has bagged two medals at the event.

Their outstanding performance coupled with Yin's gold medal helped propel Singapore to fourth place in the medal tally and seventh place in the Volvo Trophy standings, the best ever performance our local sailors have achieved at the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship.

Final results of local contingent –

420 boys – Justin Liu & Sherman Cheng – 4th position out of 31 boats

420 girls – Griselda Khng & Cecilia Low – 3th position out of 24 boats

Laser Radial – Elizabeth Yin – 1st position out of 38 boats

Hobie 16 – Aaron Pan & Peter Wong – 13th position out of 17 boats

RSX Windsurfing Boys – Leonard Ong – 19th position out of 24 boats

VOLVO TROPHY – Singapore – 7th position out of 59 countries (128 points)

VOLVO YOUTH SAILING ISAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Elizabeth Yin started the day with a six point lead over Anne-Marie Rindom of Denmark. (Photo © Dave Kneale)

VOLVO YOUTH SAILING ISAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Despite finishing seventh in the final race, Elizabeth Yin won the gold medal of the girls’ Laser class after her consistent performance in the previous days. (Photo © Dave Kneale)

VOLVO YOUTH SAILING ISAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

In addition to Elizabeth Yin’s gold medal, Griselda Khng and Cecilia Low won Singapore a bronze medal. (Photo © Dave Kneale)

VOLVO YOUTH SAILING ISAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Griselda and Cecilia started the day in fourth position, but stormed back on the final day competition to help Singapore to their best performance in the Volve youth sailing world championships. (Photo © Dave Kneale)