Please select your home edition
Edition
Rooster 2025

Thai sailor takes top Asian honors at prestigious ISAF Youth Worlds

by Nima Chandler on 29 Jul 2014
Kamolwan Chanyim Luis Fraguas
Thai national athlete Kamolwan Chanyim retained the title of top Asian sailor in her class for the fourth time at the International Sailing Federation's Youth World Championship 2014 (ISAF Youth Worlds), held in the beautiful sun-drenched town of Tavira, Portugal, July 12-18.

Competing in the Laser Radial Girls' fleet, the young Thai athlete, 18, who will sail in the Asian Games in September, had stiff competition this year from Singapore's Jillian Lee, a very talented young woman who only just missed podium spots in two other major youth regattas earlier this year. Kamolwan entered the final race of the world's most prestigious youth regatta only two points behind Jillian (the only other Asian in the top 15) and seven points short of a top ten position.


Kamolwan's consistency in the last three races - held in light, medium and higher winds - including a 13th place finish in the last race, did not bump her into the top ten, but it gave her the edge needed to retain the title of top Asian female Laser Radial sailor at the ISAF Youth Worlds for her fourth time since she first participated in 2010 as a 14 year old. She finished 12th overall in the fleet of 47 sailors. Jillian, meanwhile, had a difficult last race and dropped to 16th overall. Among other Asians competing, Yuka Kishi of Japan was 25th overall, Alaiza Belmonte of the Philippines 31st, sailors from Hong Kong, Malaysia, China, and India following.

'I have improved a lot in the last year,' said Kamolwan, who returned to rejoin the Asian Games sailing team for training in Sattahip. 'Now, after racing, I can analyze my performance and know what I need to improve. In Tavira, it was very important to remain alert to wind shifts; to really use the waves on downwind legs; to have confident starts; and to know where the competition is.'

In early July, the young Thai also took part in a seven day Olympic coaching camp under the ISAF Emerging Nations Program (ENP), sponsored by the Royal Spanish Sailing Federation, which will host the first 2016 Olympic qualifier later this year in Santander, Spain. She credited her growth to support from Kingdom Property which has enabled her to enter several high performance international regattas and coaching programs, including the ENP, over the past year. Kingdom Property is developing the Southpoint Pattaya condominium project just around the corner from the country's top international sailing venue, the Royal Varuna Yacht Club.


Thailand also had a team in the 29er Open Skiff class. Three-time Optimist national sailing team member Jirawat Jadklay teamed up with Dylan Whitcraft of the Royal Varuna Yacht Club in Pattaya to take on competitors from around the world in the fast moving boat class, which is new to Thailand. They finished 28th overall.

The top ranked ISAF Youth Worlds, which is limited to those under 19 years of age as of the end of the year, welcomed a record-breaking 367 athletes from 67 countries this year. Taking the Nations Trophy for the most medals was Spain, which also won the gold in both the Laser Radial Boys and Girls fleets.

North Sails Loft 57 PodcastZhik 2024 DecemberExcess Catamarans

Related Articles

Admiral's Cup David Maynard Thursday Gallery
First race of the day, captured for our viewing pleasure David Maynard was out on the water to catch the action from race 1 on Thursday.
Posted today at 7:05 pm
Yoann Richomme returns to Fastnet
Says Elodie Bonafous' is the boat to beat This weekend's biennial Rolex Fastnet Race - one of the oldest classics in sailing - sees the IMOCA Class return to the racetrack, with eight boats on the startline on Saturday for what is the second round of this year's IMOCA Globe Series Championship.
Posted today at 3:12 pm
Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam Day 6
Arguably the best female Freestyle final of all time Sarah-Quita Offringa pushed all the way by Maaike Huvermann in arguably the best female Freestyle final of all time, while Yentel Caers wins ‘Battle of Belgium' against Steven Van Broeckhoven to hold respective event leads.
Posted today at 11:48 am
Admiral's Cup 2025 | D2 Inshore Racing Videos
One race and then it was all done. Very light and even a bit of liquid sunshine. One race and then it was all done. Very light and even a bit of liquid sunshine.
Posted today at 10:57 am
How to follow RORC Centenary Rolex Fastnet Race
At present 451 yachts are entered, which, if all start on Saturday, will break the previous record. This year's centennial edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race will set sail this Saturday, 26 July from the Royal Yacht Squadron line off Cowes, Isle of Wight, bound for Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, France.
Posted today at 10:30 am
WASZP Games 2025 Day 3
When racing got under way, it was a game of patience, persistence, and pressure-hunting Day 3 of the WASZP Games dawned with cautious optimism as the early risers in the boat park were greeted by a light but promising northerly breeze. However, an approaching front caused the race committee to call a three-hour postponement.
Posted today at 8:23 am
Masters Games in Canberra early bird entries
More than 200 sailors are expected to hit the waters of Lake Burley Griffin More than 200 sailors are expected to hit the waters of Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra this October as part of the 2025 Australian Masters Games
Posted today at 6:52 am
Admiral's Cup Paul Wyeth Wednesday Photo Gallery
The wind was lighter, the conditions were overcast, but Paul still makes the action come alive The wind was lighter, the conditions were overcast, but Paul Wyeth still makes the action come alive with his photos. Here's his gallery from the racing on Wednesday in the 2025 Admiral's Cup.
Posted today at 5:26 am
Admiral's Cup PKC Media Wednesday Photo Gallery
Out on the water on Wednesday to capture the lighter wind action Patrick Condy of PKC Media was out on the water on Wednesday to capture the lighter wind action in the 2025 Admiral's Cup. Here are his selection of photos from the racing!
Posted today at 5:06 am
Admiral's Cup Ingrid Abery Wednesday Gallery
Up close and personal with the teams on a lighter wind day Thanks to her long lens and skill, Ingrid Abery got up close and personal with the Admiral's Cup teams on a lighter wind day in the Solent. Enjoy these crew photos, and many more in the gallery above!
Posted today at 4:46 am