Cyprus aspires for a podium breakthrough in the Olympic sailing regatta given the best ever participation of its sailing team, according to its team leader.

"Cyprus never participated in four classes before, but this time, we made it. This is our most successful participation. Hope we could make a breakthrough," said Panayiotis Kontides, leader of the Cypriote Olympic sailing team and president of Cyprus Yachting Association.

Cyprus sent four sailors to take part in RS:X men and women, Finn and Laser classes in Qingdao, where the 2008 Olympics sailing regatta will be held.

Among them, Pavlos Kontides, 18, the youngest son of Panayiotis Kontides, and also the two-time gold medalist in the Laser in the International Sailing Federation's (ISAF) Youth Sailing World Championships, is the medal favorite.

Panayiotis Kontides said his son fulfilled his dream, who used to sail in a wooden boat in 1970s, but never went abroad for competition.

"Being in the Olympics is already a big achievement for him and he is not in tension. Actually, I am more nervous than him," said a smiling Kontides, wearing a red tie with a logo of blue sailing boats.

He said the Chinese sailing team was quite impressive in the past few years. "The Laser Radial girl is the podium candidate for sure and windsurfers as well," he said, adding that there is still large potential for Chinese sailors to tap in the future.

As the head of nine sailing clubs in Cyprus, Kontides said he wanted to make everything in his power to improve sailing in Cyprus, where the investment for top sailors is minimal - only around 50, 000 euros per year.

"We are not the favorites, so there is no pressure on us. The sailors are very enthusiastic. We are going to give the best show," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency August 4, 2008)