Sentosa Optimist Open Championship in Singapore - Overall
by Sean Lee and Daniella Ng 14 Jun 2009 08:05 BST
9-13 June 2009
On the final day of racing, the sailors were divided into Gold, Silver and Bronze fleets. A good breeze filled the sea in the early afternoon which allowed the sailors to complete two races on a short course. Though a short course, it tested the ability of the sailors to have a good start, maintain their positions after the start and to be conservative as each boat counts.
The results varied among the top few sailors where some did extremely well while others had a bad day. Although two races were sailed today, the last race was taken off the scoreboard due to a redress which involves the issue of raising the wrong flag.
In the top two positions of the Sentosa Optimist Open Championship are Malaysian sailors, Mohamad Faizal B Norisah and Ahmad Latif Khan B Ali Sahri Khan. An elated team manager of the Malaysian team, Mr Mohd Afendy, said “These sailors have done well because of the long term planning we have put in. They are currently preparing for the IODA Optimist World Championship in August and also for next year’s Asian Games.” When asked how Malaysian team was able to pull off such good results in these unpredictable conditions, he said, “The sailors trained hard in Langkawi, which has similar conditions as those experienced in the past few days”.
Also taking a podium finish is Noppakao Poonpat (THA) who will be representing her country at the upcoming IODA World Championship. Her target this year is to be crowned “Queen of Optimist”, the title that former Optimist sailor Griselda Khng brought back from the IODA World Championship 2006.
Overall Results:
Open division (Gold Fleet)
1st Mohamad Faizal B Norisah (MAS)
2nd Ahmad Latif Khan B Ali Sahri Khan (MAS)
3rd Kavas Alexander (GRE)
Open division (Silver Fleet)
1st Mildred Phang (SIN)
2nd Aqylla Binte Jumali (SIN)
3rd Jongkok Channart (THA)
Open division (Bronze Fleet)
1st Akiyoshi Komiya (JPN)
2nd Chua Jiayi (SIN)
3rd Ava Mannering (NZL)
We truly have seen some excellent racing here in this regatta. Many thanks to Sentosa for their continuous support to this event, not forgetting all sailors, coaches, staff, parents and volunteers for a successful regatta! We hope to see you here again next year!
For more race reports and photos, please visit www.sailing.org.sg