Sailor Bernie claims U-17 World C’ship

SINGAPORE — SEA Games sailing champion Bernie Chin has added another trophy to his collection, finishing top in the Boys’ under-17 category at the 2015 Laser Radial Youth World Championships in Canada.

The 16-year-old, who won the Byte CII title at last year’s Youth Olympic Games, finished eighth overall among the 142-boat fleet with a total of 65 points to clinch the U-17 World Champion title in Kingston yesterday.

American sailor Henry Marshall was second in the U-17 class with 66 points (9th overall), while Ireland’s Ewan McMahon finished third with 94 points.

Australian Conor Nicholas was first overall with 26 points, while Gianmarco Planchestainer from Italy (27) and United States’ Nic Baird (41) won the silver and bronze respectively.

Ahead of the regatta, Bernie — gold medallist in the Laser Radial (U-19) at June’s SEA Games — had only targeted to better the 39th-place finish from last year’s championships. “I didn’t expect to make it to top 10, but I guess consistency pays off,” he said in a phone interview from Canada. “I am just glad, but I think what’s most important is the lessons I learnt ... I am starting to really understand the importance of consistency.

“The main take-away from it is how I am constantly reminded that I am not good enough, and have a lot more to improve.”

The teenage sailor is also eyeing a promotion to the senior level eventually. “I am not looking to try out for the 2016 Olympics at the moment, as I am too young,” he said. “Singapore has very strong sailors like Colin (Cheng). (But) I hope to be able to represent Singapore at the Asian Games and Olympics one day.”