YOG 2010: Martin gearing up for windsurfing medal race in Singapore

From Tom Reynolds, Sportsbeat, in Singapore

 WINDSURFER Kieran Martin admits he is beginning to feel the heat under the Singapore sun with his Youth Olympic Games campaign set to reach boiling point tomorrow.

BUSINESS TIME: Kieran Martin heads into tomorrow's medal race at the Youth Olympic Games in possession of third place (Singapore Press Holdings)

Martin has spent the whole time in the Lion City playing down his medal hopes despite occupying a spot in the top three since day one of the competition.

After two more consistent displays on Tuesday - finishing sixth and fourth - the 15-year-old heads into the medal race in the bronze medal position.

Five races of the competition have been cancelled due to lack of wind, ensuring Martin takes a net points total of 31 into the medal race, 13 behind leader Mayan Rafic of Israel.

But unknown quantity Chaneui Kim from Korea is hot on his tail in fourth place and Martin knows he will need to be on top of his game to ensure he leaves the Lion City with medals to declare.

"I am feeling a bit nervous because it would be amazing to get a medal," said Martin - who holds a slender one point lead over Kim.  "I am sure it would be a fantastic feeling and I have worked really hard so it would be great.

"But I have chatted to my coach and he has said he just wants me to race the same way I have been doing all week.

"He doesn't want me to change anything so while I am really close to a medal I will just try and be consistent and win a medal.

"I don't know the Korean guy.  He is not someone I have raced before or seen before but I know that if I can get a better result than him I'll get a medal so I just need to do that."

Meanwhile, female counterpart Jade Rogers is only too aware she needs to be on top of her game in her final race as she eyes a top-ten finish.

The 14-year-old needs a minor miracle to turn 11 into tenth as she trails French sailor Clidane Humeau by 13 points going into today's event.

But Rogers - who grabbed eighth and 16th place finishes yesterday - is adamant she will be giving it everything to upset the odds and leave the Far East with a top-ten finish to her name.

"It would be great to finish tenth but I know it is going to be difficult," said Rogers.

"The French girl is quite a few points ahead of me so I would have to have an amazing day.

"But I'll be giving it everything and definitely having a good try."

  Lloyds TSB, proud partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and supporter of Team GB on their journey to the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympic Games. Visit LloydsTSB.com/London2012