2007 SEA Games Squad: Top row: Sara Tan, Siobhan Tam, Koh Seng Leong, Lo Junhao, Russell Kan, Joshua Choo, Elizabeth Tan, Alvin Hong, Andrew Sanders (Team Manager), Roy Tay, Leonard Ong, Low Teo Ping (Chef de Mission), Wilbur Chan, Dawn Liu, Sherman Cheng, Jovina Choo, Justin Wong, Justin Liu, Justin Tan, Alvin Chong. Seated: From left to right: Rachel Lee, Luke Tan, Chung Pei Ming, Darren Choy, Daniella Ng. Not in picture: Low Wen Chun & Jonathan Russel Chew

SINGAPORE is sending its biggest sailing contingent to the South-east Asia Games in December, but do not expect a rush of gold medals.

This is because the Republic's 25-strong squad is made up largely of new faces and SEA Games debutants.

Asian Games gold-medallists Maximilian Soh and Teo Wee Chin, as well as Laser 4.7 world champion Victoria Chan, will be in Australia instead, to focus on the 2008 Olympics.

The trio are part of an elite 14-member squad that is preparing for a series of pre-Olympic qualifying events in Sydney.

'Our larger goal is to win an Olympic medal,' said SingaporeSailing president Low Teo Ping, who announced the SEA Games shortlist yesterday.

'This is in line with the challenge laid down by then-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong in 1999. We intend to meet that challenge.'

At the 2005 SEA Games in Manila, Singapore's 15-member sailing contingent won seven golds. The target has been revised down to four golds when the sailors compete at the Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Chonburi from Dec 8 to 14.

'It is not easy to predict results when it comes to the SEA Games,' said Mark Robinson, SingaporeSailing's head of high performance.

'Unlike international regattas, there are only four or five boats in each SEA Games event. The difference in points is much smaller and it is harder to strategise.'

Among those making their SEA Games debuts are Jovina Choo and Sara Tan in the girls' 420, Low Wen Chun and Jonathan Chew in the Hobie 16, and the Optimist Team comprising Russell Kan, Rachel Lee, Luke Tan, Daniella Ng and Darren Choy.
In the keelboat category, the Republic will be represented by Justin Wong, Wilbur Chan, Alvin Hong, Alvin Chong and Justin Tan.

The five started training together on a keelboat only two weeks ago.

Two windsurfers, Joshua Choo and Leonard Ong, have also been included in the contingent.

Selected sailors
470 Men: Roy Tay, Chung Pei Ming Women: Dawn Liu, Elizabeth Tan
420 Boys: Justin Liu, Sherman Cheng Girls: Jovina Choo, Sara Tan
Hobie 16: Low Wen Chun,Jonathan Russel Chew
Laser Standard: Koh Seng Leong
Laser Radial: Siobhan Tam
Super Mod: Lo Jun Hao
Optimist Boys: Russell Kan, Girls: Rachel Lee Team: Russell Kan, Rachel Lee, Luke Tan, Daniella Ng, Darren Choy
Farr Platu 25 Keelboat: Justin Wong, Wilbur Chan, Alvin Hong, Alvin Chong, Justin Tan
Mistral Youth: Joshua Choo
Mistral Lightweight: Leonard Ong

Read more stories on the 24th SEA Games here.

The Keelboat team: From L to R: Alvin Hong, Justin Tan, Alvin Chong, Justin Wong & Wilbur Chan