Racing started in almost perfect conditions today at the SIM 33rd Singapore Open Asian Windsurfing Championships taking place at The National Sailing Centre. Three races were held “back to back” in 12 to 18 knots and all had a chance to show their skills.[more]
Techno 293 is by far the biggest fleet of all the participating classes with 41 competitors from 11 countries. Countries with proven olympic programs are represented, together with new nations hoping to get their spot in the Youth Olympics 2014. It is good to be able to welcome competitors from Myanmar to their first continental championship.
Despite not winning a race, 15 year old Chan Tsz Kit, HKG-17, has a very strong lead in the Techno Youth Boy Division by consistently coming second in all three.
Newcomer Set Naing Aung from Myanmar took the first bullet, Cheng Ho Yin from Hong Kong took the second and Wong Chun Yan, also from Hong Kong took the third and is second placed overall on the leaderboard. Ikeda Kensei from Japan currently occupies the third podium place. Variable results right down the fleet show that competition between the youth boys is wide open.
Youth Girls leader Duangkamon Phongern THA-51 and Choi Wind Chi HKG-31 look well-matched taking the first two places in all three races, finishing the day just one point apart.
This is an important event for the Asian countries as it is a Youth Olympic Games Qualification event with 3 places to be decided. The host nation China already has a place and Hong Kong qualified in the Worlds.
There are 7 Mistral One Design competitors representing three countries on the water. The Hong Kong Men appear to be dominating with Cheng Kwok Fai just one point ahead of Lee Chun Ting at the top of the MOD leaderboard.
In the RS:One Class Ruamsap Phanuthat from Thailand took all three bullets with Gunawardena Chameera SRI-7 mopping up all the second places.
Thailand’s Boonsawad Ek is at the top of the RS:X Men’s leaderboard with two race wins, 4 points ahead of both Ong Leonard SIN-1 and Chang Hao TPE-8. Kikabhoy Rafeek from Hong Kong heads up the RS:X Youths, again with two wins, but Chinain Pattharadnai from Thailand is just one point behind. It is equally close in the RS:X Women’s Class with Ngai Wai Yan and Lo Sin Lam, both from Hong Kong, just one point apart.
Video of the first day of action by Patrik Pollak is available to view here. Full results are posted on the competition page.
