Hong Kong Optimist Nationals at Hebe Haven Yacht Club
by Marek Nostitz-Jackowski 9 Dec 2013 06:19 GMT
He turned 11 years old a few weeks ago, and J-Asia's Faolan Whyte may be the fledgeling school's youngest sailor. But he also became its most decorated Optimist sailor after the 2013 Hong Kong Optimist Nationals.
After having sailed with J-Asia for eight months, Faolan took the 3rd spot overall (the top two
places were secured by Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club's Calum Gregor - who successfully defended
his Optimist National title; and RHKYC's Julian Fung who won second place). Faolan also took the top spot in the Under-12 division, and was declared Hong Kong's top Under-12 Optimist sailor in the overall national rankings. In all, Faolan was awarded four distinctions, including that of being Hong Kong's second top sailor in rankings overall.
'Faolan is a dedicated sailor who put his heart and soul into doing well during the Hong Kong
Nationals,' said J-Asia head coach Marek Nostitz-Jackowski. 'I am proud to see him achieving so
much and I am looking forward to seeing him and his fellow optimist sailors go from strength to
strength. I am very, very proud of all my students.
This year's Hong Kong Optimist Nationals took place in Port Shelter and close to J-Asia's base
camp in Sai Kung. The annual regatta is rotated between the different yacht clubs, this year's event was hosted by the Hebe Haven Yacht Club in light, challenging winds averaging eight knots all
weekend.