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JUSTIN Liu and Sherman Cheng will head to the upcoming 38th Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championships with the wind in their sails next month. They had finished second in the 29er class at the Kieler Woche regatta in Germany on Tuesday. The Singapore pair lost to French duo Kevin Fischer and Glenn Gouron on a count-back. The two pairs posted 16 points from their best six results from eight races. It was only the fifth time that 420-class specialists Justin and Sherman competed in the 29er class. The Singapore pair, who won gold at the 2006 Asian Games and the 420 Junior European title last August, have improved rapidly in the 29er class since their debut in this event last year. Justin said: 'It was a necessary switch if we wanted to compete in the Youth World Championships. 'At first, it was hard. But our teamwork has improved and there's more communication between us.' The 420 and 29er are both double-handed dinghies. But the 29er is 20cm longer at 4.4 metres and more challenging to sail. It travels faster and is harder to balance, requiring competitors to have better teamwork than in the 420. The regatta, which served as preparation for the July 10-19 Youth World Championships in Denmark, allowed Justin and Sherman to acclimatise. Justin said: 'Conditions in Denmark will be similar to what we experienced here. 'It's tricky. You get all types of weather in a day - sunshine, rain and cold temperatures.' Meanwhile, fellow 29er sailors Griselda Khng and Cecilia Low finished in 16th place out of 93 boats. Hobie 16 sailors Low Wen Chun and Jonathan Russel Chew were a point shy of a podium finish and had to be content with fourth place. |
