SingaporeSailing announces appointment of new Chief Executive

by Singapore Sailing on 1 Dec 2010 Singapore Sailing Federation (SingaporeSailing) has announced the appointment of Tan Wearn Haw as SingaporeSailing’s new Chief Executive.

Wearn Haw, 32, is a product of Singapore’s pioneer junior sailing programme under the then Optimist Dinghy Association of Singapore (ODAS). The first Singaporean to win the Optimist Asian Championships and multiple ASEAN titles then progressed through the various youth classes to the Olympic 470 class. The Sydney 2000 Olympian garnered several Asian titles during the Olympic campaign, as well as an assortment of Asian and SEA Games medals. His pursuit of sailing excellence saw him crossing over to windsurfing and subsequently returning to compete in one of sailing’s premier events, on board the Sino-French America’s Cup Challenger for the 32nd America’s Cup in 2007.

Awarded a Public Service Commission Scholarship to pursue his undergraduate studies in France and United Kingdom, Wearn Haw graduated from Imperial College, London with a Masters Degree in Aeronautical Engineering. His diverse career has seen him involved in policy development with the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS), a professional athlete with an America’s Cup Challenger team as well as research and development in yacht design and sports and education development with the Singapore Sports School.

‘I am delighted and honoured at the prospect of playing an active role in helping to develop the sport of sailing in Singapore,’ says Wearn Haw, who continues to sail and windsurf.

‘Sailing has given me immense opportunities and filled my life with wonderful experiences. Thanks to the work of the sailing community, I have gone from the humble waters off Changi to the Olympic waters in Sydney to the America’s Cup in Valencia. Now, it will be my responsibility to repay the sailing community and build the pathway for our future generations and show them what the sport of sailing has to offer.’

Dr Ben Tan, President, Singapore Sailing Federation:
'We are pleased to have Wearn Haw come onboard with us for The Next Leg. I have competed up to the Olympic level, but Wearn Haw has surpassed me by going beyond the Olympics to America’s Cup racing. He is an accomplished sailor in a variety of classes, from singlehanded, doublehanded, windsurfing, keelboats, America’s Cup and mega yachts to Extreme 40 catamarans. His extensive sailing credentials, strong engineering training, development as a PSC scholar, and his work experience in the MCYS, SSC, and Singapore Sports School equip him with a unique skill set that is ideal for the job.'

Peter H L Lim, Hon. Adviser and a former President of Singapore Sailing Federation:
'Wearn Haw, like Ben Tan, was an Optimist kid. They sailed that highly competitive entry-level boat when they were primary schoolchildren. Ben went on to win an Asian Games gold in the Laser and now heads SingaporeSailing as President. Wearn Haw went on to sail in an America's Cup challenger series. Now he will be SingaporeSailing's CEO. Ben and Wearn Haw lead a generational change in a sport that holds exciting promise in recreational and high-performance sailing. '

Mrs Deborah Tan, Principal, Singapore Sports School:
'In Wearn Haw, I see pairing of passion and a very good mind. Having sailed in the Olympics and America's Cup, he will bring with him experience that will help shape the future of Singapore Sailing. Singapore Sports School looks forward to working with him to grow the development pipeline of national sailors.'

Charlie Lim, Independent Member, HR Committee, SingaporeSailing:
'Wearn Haw’s educational background, work ethics and experiences in coaching, and racing, especially the America’s Cup is invaluable and priceless, and that cannot be replicated.'