28th SEA Games at Singapore - Day 5
by Icarus Sailing Media 11 Jun 2015 10:04 BST
5-16 June 2015
Welcome back to Singapore and day 5 of the 28th South East Asian Games. Another action packed day was scheduled and athletes were eager get out racing.
More events have got underway each day, and today the 420 and 49erFX events joined the 470 fleet which kicked off yesterday –a hotbed of talent in the two-person dinghy classes.
The two-person classes, whether raced by men or women, rely on the same basic principles of teamwork, communication, synergy and synchronization as the critical factors that guarantee a winning performance.
Boats have different hull shapes, sail shapes and sail areas and react differently depending on the weather conditions. Athletes must trim their sails for the wind, to get their boats planing above the water. With boat handling mastered, athletes must execute the tactical and strategic game. As the podium deciding races approach, the game gets tougher.
The pressure was on and the breeze up. The RSX Men medal race was a 2-way battle for silver, as Thailand's Natthaphong Phonoppharat already had gold in the bag. The medal race was all about smart decision making with the points difference giving all to play for. Singapore's Leonard Ong excelled under the pressure and managed the fleet skillfully, to seize the medal race win and celebrate silver medal success. Indonesia's Sulaksana Oka wrapped up bronze.
Another great spectacle in the RS:X Women medal race, as an epic clash unfolded between Singapore & Thailand, who went into the race 1 point apart. Audrey Yong dug deep, giving everything on the race track, to claim the medal race win and gold under the eyes of home fans. Ever present in attack, Thailand's Siripon Kaewduang-Ngam couldn't exploit the medal race "opportunity" and secured silver. Bronze to Indonesia's Hoiriyah.
Memorable moments for all winners, who celebrated to warm applauses at the medal ceremony. Stay tuned for more racing action tomorrow.
www.seagames2015.com/the-games/sports/sailing