Match racing at the Singapore Barrage - oh so close to shore

by Low Lin Fhoong, TODAYonline.com on 25 Mar 2011 Singapore - Spectators around the Marina Barrage this weekend will be treated to the sight of duelling 7.6-m keelboats close to shore, as the Singapore Sailing Federation start their inaugural Match Racing League.

Eight four-men teams have signed up for the season's first race, aptly named 'Battle at the Barrage', including familiar faces such as 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games bronze medallist (Hobie 16 Open) Teo Wee Chin of the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club, former Optimist world champion Griselda Khng (SAFYC) and 2006 Asian Games gold medallist Maximilian Soh (SAFYC).

Newly-crowned national 420 youth champions Russell Kan and Jeremiah Yeo will team up with Sherman Cheng and Ko Chuan Yang for honours in their Platu 25 boat.

Skipper Soh, 22, and his crew of Cai Weiguo, Justin Wong and Andrew Paul Chan will be the team to watch, after their recent victory at the Thailand Open National Match Race Championship in Pattaya.

Said Soh, who returned to competitive sailing last year after a three-year hiatus: 'We expect light shifty winds at Marina Barrage so it's going to be anybody's race. There will be a lot of surprises.

'We are doing this out of passion and love for sailing. We hope to take part in the World Match Racing Tour eventually.'

Full story: www.todayonline.com/Sports/EDC110325-0000025/Keelboat-racing-by-the-barrage-and-oh-so-close-to-shore