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Singapore sailor Koh Seng Leong, 24, has qualified Singapore for the 2008 Olympic Games in the Laser event at the second and final Olympic qualifier, the Laser World Championships in Terrigal, Australia.
There are 40 berths available in the men’s single-handed Laser event with 29 allocated last July in the first qualification and one automatically allocated to host nation, China. 157 sailors from 55 nations were represented at the Laser World Championships, with 25 nations vying for the last 10 Olympic berths.
On the second last day of competition, Seng Leong finished in 23rd place in the Silver fleet, which ranked Singapore fifth amongst those nations which have not qualified. The race officials abandoned racing today, the final day of competition, after a bout of nasty southerly winds in the vicinity of 25 to 33 knots and whipped-up seas rising to 2.5 to 3.5 metres.
“I’m overjoyed and also relieved that competition is over. Now, to prepare for the Olympics, I will have to go on a weight loss programme to prepare for the light wind conditions expected in Qingdao, the Olympic sailing venue,” said Seng Leong who successfully put on 10 kilograms to prepare for the strong conditions in Terrigal.
Seng Leong’s journey in sailing has been an inspiring road with its trials and tribulations. In October 2005, he was involved in a road accident which almost ended his career in sailing. Whilst recovering, he picked up an interest in coaching and led the 2006 Byte sailors to clinch two world titles in Bermuda. At the 2006 Asian Games, he jumped from fourth to second position by winning the penultimate race to clinch silver in the Laser Radial event.
Such is his resilience which helped him prepare and build his determination to brave the qualifications as Singapore’s sole entry.
“Seng Leong sailed well in the treacherous conditions in Terrigal to stay within qualification. It takes a sportsman like Seng Leong with sheer passion, maturity and mental strength to overcome the obstacles and qualify Singapore for the Olympics,” said SingaporeSailing’s Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Sanders.
Dr Peter Logan, Team Leader and SingaporeSailing’s Olympic Squad High Performance Manager said from Terrigal, “Considering the world-class quality of the Olympic Laser fleet, to have qualified by a considerable margin is a feat to emphasize. Though Seng Leong came in with lingering injuries, he put them aside to perform admirably. An absolute achievement.”
Singapore sailors have qualified in the 470 men’s event and are looking to earn another slot at the 2008 Olympics in the Laser Radial event. The second and final qualifying event for the women’s Laser Radial will be held in Auckland next month.
For full results, visit http://aus08.laserinternational.org/results.php
Event website: http://aus08.laserinternational.org
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