Festival of Sport Open Dinghy Regatta - J-Asia reaffirms its dominance

by Marek Nostitz Jackowski on 16 Jun 2014 At the Samsung 57th Festival of Sport Open Dinghy Regatta J-Asia reaffirmed its dominance over the Hong Kong competitive laser sailing scene by capturing the top three sports for the Laser Radial and Laser 4.7 classes, which took place over a two-day period off the Hong Kong Sail Training Association’s Dingy Centre at Little Palm Beach, Clearwater Bay. The event was o!rganised by the Hong Kong Sailing Federation.

A total of five races were meant to be sailed over two days; with two races scheduled for Saturday and three for Sunday. But it was not meant to be and in the end four races were sailed, and a fifth race was abandoned due to uncertain weather conditions.

Still J-Asia’s laser corps held their ground and managed to secure top three medal positions in both laser classes. Nicholas Bezy won all four races and easily captured the gold in the Laser 4.7 division; Chris Bezy came in second and Stephanie Norton came away from the competition with t!he bronze.

In the Laser Radial class, Gerald Williams capped two days of racing by winning gold in the class and a bronze in the overall Open division. Teammate Vir Menon, who is visiting from India, came a!way with the silver and Riley Cameron finished with a bronze.

What looked to be certain results in the Optimist fleet were thrown into disarray as an individual recalls claimed 15 sailors who ended up with a 52-penalty point OCS and no discard. Still, J-Asia didn’t leave the Optimist competition empty handed. A late request for redress from Faolan White saw him capturing Silver while Molly Highfield secured a bronze.

'This year’s Festival of Sport was challenging for J-Asia, as this event happened as our top sailors were either going into end-of-year examinations or finishing their examinations. Few of them were really able to concentrate on sailing before this regatta,' said J-Asia Head Coach Marek Nostitz- Jackowski. 'But there was great dedication and concentration and they were able to bring home results. They should be proud of what they have been able to achieve.'

The sailors also benefited from training with Polish Laser sailor Maciej Grabowski, who was recently in Hong Kong to conduct a series of High Performance Camps for members of the Hong Kong National Squad. A three-time sailing Olympian, Grabowski is one of Nostitz-Jackowski’s earlier laser students and has received accolades in his home country as well as in Europe.