Byte CII Asian Championships concludes

by Byte Class Association on 28 Nov 2009 The final day of racing at the Byte CII Asian Championships saw strong winds averaging about 15 knots. However these windy conditions were ideal for 2007 Byte CII World Champion, Keerati Bualong who won the last three races, clinching the Byte CII Asian Championships with style.

Singapore sailors found the strong wind challenging and Keerati made full use of his home ground advantage. He led all the way in Race 14 and never looked back. Nathan Tang SIN finished in second with teammate Chai Xun finishing third

In race 15, the strong winds continued and, once again, Keerati dominated the race followed by Darren Choy SIN, 2009 Byte CII World Champion, and Natthawut Peanyaem THA in third.

With 15 races sailed, Keerati did not need to sail the last but, bucking the trend we see all too often, the young sportsman sailed the race all out and put his final stamp on the championship with his third win of the day. The new 2009 Byte CII Asian Champion won eight of the 16 races, with his worst finish a seventh, showing the immense potential of this 17 year old. Even though he is over the age limit for the Youth Olympics in Singapore in 2010, there is a great sailing future in the cards for this young man.

In the girl's division, only nine points separated Airiel Ruth Ho of Singapore and Thailand's Kamolwan Chanyim going into the last race but the Singapore sailor finished 10th to Kamolwan's 16 and won the Girl's division of the Championship. Singapore's Natasha Michiko Yokoyama finished in third place overall.

2009 Asian Championship Results:

Boys overall

1. Keerati Bualong THA
2. Darreb Choy SIN
3. Nathan Tang SIN
4. Terence Choo Jim Jie SIN
5. Natthawut Peanyaem THA
9. Chai Xun SIN

Girls overall

1. Airiel Ruth Ho SIN
2. Kamolwan Chanyim THA
3. Natasha Michiko Yokoyama SIN