1997: On his SEA Games debut, Koh (extreme left) won a silver in the Optimist. -- ST FILE PHOTOS


2001: Sailing was restored to the line-up after being left out in 1999, but studies came first for Koh
(second from right).

2005: Sailing returned after being left out in 2003, but a freak motorcycle accident put paid to his golden hopes.

2007: Now that Koh has won his first Asian Games medal, a silver in the Laser Radial,
will he get his first SEA Games gold?

KORAT - AT THE age of 24 and with over 10 years in the sport, Koh Seng Leong can hardly be considered a rookie.

Yet, the Laser specialist will be sailing into somewhat uncharted waters when he competes at the South-east Asia Games.

'You can say that I'm relieved to be going to Thailand,' said the co-captain of the Singapore sailing team.

'It seems like I've been waiting all my sailing life to win at the SEA Games.'

It has been 10 years since he made his first and only SEA Games appearance. Then, at the Jakarta Games, a 14-year-old Koh won a silver medal in the Optimist event.

Sailing did not feature at the 1999 and 2003 Games, while he gave the 2001 and 2005 editions a miss.

In 2001, he opted to prepare for his A levels.

But, in 2005, a freak motorcycle accident just two months before the Games cost him his place in the team and a likely Laser gold.

He was coming to a stop at a traffic light in Katong when the passenger door of a stationary car suddenly opened and hit his motorcycle.

The impact caused him to fall on his left side, and he skidded for a few metres.

He managed to get up. But the bone in his left index finger was shattered. He also fractured his middle finger, dislocated his thumb, severed nerves in his left hand and had cuts and bruises on his legs and right hand.

Despite initial fears of a career-threatening injury, Koh recovered, making a remarkable comeback at last year's Doha Asian Games to win a Laser Radial silver.

In Pattaya next week, he hopes to go one better.

He also wants to preserve Singapore's domination of the Laser event, as the 2001 and 2005 Games golds went to Singaporeans.

'I will be looking at the gold, there is no point in aiming for anything less,' he said.

'At the SEA Games level, we should be aiming to be the top country. It is something we are definitely capable of.'

Following a dominant 2005 showing at Subic Bay - where Singapore's sailors won seven out of the 12 golds on offer - they will again be expected to come up tops.

Singapore's reputation as a sailing powerhouse was further strengthened at the Asian Games, where they emerged as Asia's top sailing nation with five golds.

But this year's cohort are comparatively inexperienced. A total of 15 of the 25 sailors will be making their debut at a major Games.

Three of the 10 seniors will also be competing in new classes after having switched recently.

Which is why the guidance of Koh and co-captain Roy Tay - who has qualified for the Olympics in the 470 class with Chung Peiming - is crucial.

Said Koh: 'The dynamics in the team are certainly different from that at the Asian Games.

'There is a more youthful feel to the team. But I don't think it will be a problem. Some of the Optimist sailors are already world champions, so there is quality in this team.

'We just need to get them focused and disciplined.'

Hosts Thailand and Malaysia will be the biggest threats.

The conditions in Pattaya will also take some getting used to - which is why the team have been in Thailand for the last two weeks.

The winds are not only cooler but also stronger, averaging 20 knots as opposed to the 0-10 knots in Singapore.

But Koh promises it will not be all work for the team.

He said: 'I was a rookie once too, so I know it can get boring if all the focus is on sailing.

'The seniors in 1997 gave us time to have fun too. So I will follow the same.'

And so they did, spending yesterday frolicking in the hotel pool.

Read more stories on the 24th SEA Games here.