Conditions were a little lighter than the day before ranging from 9-14 knots for the first race to 12-17 knots later in the day. Olympian Ek Boonsawad THA-8 took three bullets today so, with the discard coming into play, has a perfect score of 5 at the top of the RS:X men’s leaderboard. [more] Chang Hao TPE-8 is challenging hard but the gap between him and Ek Boonsawad has widened, although he has managed to gain a point on his closest rival, Ong Leonard from Singapore.
At the top of the RS:X Women’s fleet podium places are fiercely fought by three competitors from Hong Kong. Yesterday’s leader Ngai Wai Yan has gained herself an extra point advantage, now two points ahead of Ma Kwan Ching who has moved up into second place overall, edging Lo Lin Lam down into third place, but only one point clear. What a battle these three are having!
It seems a little calmer in the RS:X Youth fleet as the top three remain unchanged. Hong Kong’s Kikabhoy Rafeek claimed three bullets and mirrors exactly Boonsawad Ek’s results with a perfect score of 5. Chinain Pattharadnai from Thailand was second over the line in all three races today and in third place overall is Leung Tsz Chung.
Over in the Techno Boys, Chan Tsz Kit (HKG-17) started the day with a bullet in the first race but Cheng Ho Yin (HKG-36) took the bullet in the second race, then a seventh in the third race of the day became Chan Tsz Kit’s discard and thus he maintains his seven point lead over Wong Chun Yan (HKG-13). Cheng Ho Yin is now hot on his heels, just one point behind and overtaking Ikeda Kensei to step up to the third podium position.
Racing on these waters is challenging and this is reflected in the variable results right down the fleet. RS:X sailor Audrey Yong has a lot of experience and she said that Singapore is a very tricky place to sail. She advised the young Techno sailors to remember every race is new, no-one will definitely win and to just give something extra each time.
In the Youth Girl’s Division, Thailand’s Duangkamon Phongern and Hong Kong’s Choi Wing Chi are locked together on equal points at the top of the leaderboard. Both have taken three wins and three second places. This is indeed an exciting battle to watch. They are way ahead of the next two Japananese girls, Jiijima Rina and Watanabe Junna who also have equal points. There is only room for three on the podium!
The Techno293 youth boys and girls are also racing to qualify their nations in the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in China. Hong Kong are already qualified – and there are 3 slots available in both boys and girls. Japan are looking safe to secure a place in the boys – and THA in the girls … but still all to play for to grab those remaining places.
In the Mistral One Design Division, Hong Kong dominates the podium positions. Cheng Kwok Fai is seemingly untouchable at the top of the MOD leaderboard with a perfect score of 5, a clear 5 points ahead of Lee Chun Ting who again is a clear 5 points ahead of Ma Yik Kau. And this is where the real battle might be – Phonoppharat Natthaphong is just one point behind and no doubt is very keen to step on to the podium.
from “STILL GROWING” from DAY 1 here
from DAY 2 here
Day One photos
Day Two photos by howie@howiephoto.com
