'Last year I was seventh, so I thought a medal this year was possible. I'm very happy I did it,' said Elizabeth Yin. -- PHOTO: VOLVO OCEAN RACE
ELIZABETH Yin, shy and softspoken, struggles with naming a hobby of hers. But 'collecting world titles' could be one of them.
On Saturday, she won the Laser Radial class at the Volvo Youth Sailing Isaf World Championships in Buzios, Brazil, her third world crown in as many years.
It was also Singapore's second ever title in the 39-year history of the event - and Asia's second outside of the windsurfing classes.
Boys 420 pair Teo Wee Chin and Terence Koh were the first to do so in 2005.
'I'm most satisfied with this win, because this is a much higher level event than the others,' Elizabeth, the 2008 Laser 4.7 and 2007 Byte world champion, told The Sunday Times over the phone on Saturday.
'Last year I was seventh, so I thought a medal this year was possible. I'm very happy I did it.'
The Victoria Junior College student had lead the 38-woman fleet since Race 4, and sealed the title by eight points over Dane Anne-Marie Rindom by sailing conservatively to seventh spot in Saturday's final race.
She finished no worse than ninth in all but one of the eight races - a consistent performance helped by six months of intensive fitness work that included cycling and gym work to build cardio and strength.
'It says a lot to medal at the Youth Worlds,' said national coach Brett Bayer.
'There's quite a direct correlation between the Youth Worlds and the Olympics.'
