Koh Seng Leong's Radial title is a major booster for him, as the Aussie meet is his first big regatta since the Olympics. -- PHOTOS: SINGAPORESAILING

Singapore claim 2 more golds in Aussie C'ships, thanks to Koh, Elizabeth

HE HAD to settle for second place in 2003.

But there was no stopping national sailor Koh Seng Leong from winning his first Radial title at the Australian Laser National Championships in Adelaide yesterday.

The two-time Olympian finished 29 points ahead of his closest rival, Malaysian Mohd Romzi.

It was his fourth title since returning to training in July after a year-long break.

'It's a great confidence booster for me. This is my first big regatta since the Beijing Olympics,' said Koh, 26.

'Throughout the competition there was a variety of wind conditions, from light to strong. It's good confirmation that I can still sail.'

Elizabeth Yin adds the Australian National Laser Radial title to her three world titles with her win in Adelaide.

Reigning world youth champion Elizabeth Yin, 18, made it a double for Singapore by clinching the Radial women's title. She finished in ninth place overall.

Compatriot Victoria Chan, 19, clinched a bronze in the women's division in overall 14th position.

The results on the final day of competition came on the back of Justin Liu and Sherman Cheng's victory in the Australian 420 Nationals title on Sunday.

Having made a great start to the new year, SingaporeSailing's head of high performance, Mark Robinson, was in buoyant mood.

He said: 'The conditions experienced in Adelaide are very similar to those in Shanwei - the venue of the 2010 Asian Games sailing competition. This will help our sailors immensely as they prepare for the Games.'

One person who will not be with SingaporeSailing during the Games in November is chief executive officer (CEO) Andrew Sanders.

He will be handing over the helm to Edwin Low, SingaporeSailing's secretary- general since 2005, to pursue other opportunities in sports or the commodities and resources sectors.

Low also heads the high participation division and operations at the National Sailing Centre.

The change will take effect next month. However, Sanders, an Australian, will stay on till April as a consultant.

Sanders, who has been with the association for eight years, including heading the high performance unit from 2002 to 2005, said: 'The organisation is robust now... The time is right to hand things over and for Edwin to steer the ship.'

SingaporeSailing also announced yesterday that it has appointed former national sailor Chung Pei Ming, 27, as its new management trainee and national coach.