2015 HKODA National and Open Championship overall

by Agnes Caer on 14 Oct 2015 The bay of Stanley (Hong Kong) was buzzing with adrenaline from Oct 1st to Oct 4th, which saw more than 90 Optimist sailors competing in the 2015 HKODA National and Open Championship.

Hosted in the Hong Kong Sea School, competition was fierce and fair for the largest-ever fleet of Optimists seen in Hong Kong: 90 sailors from eight countries (Macau, Singapore, Thailand, UK, China, Hong Kong, Finland and Netherlands) sailed seven races over two days.

Aged from nine to 15 years old, the Optimist sailors were racing in winds ranging from five to 20 knots, under the watchful eyes of coaches and race officials in 18 safety boats.

They consumed more than 600 meals, 400 Lactel yoghurts and milk bottles, 1,600 bottles of Watson’s water and 4,000 squares of Valrhona chocolate.
In addition, 40 sailors were boarding in the Sea School for the duration of the event.

Winds were moderate on the first day but picked up on the second and conditions became challenging for the youngest and lightest competitors.
Sadly, the Championship was shortened by two days because of Tropical Cyclone Mujigae but Hong Kong sailors fared very well and pocketed most of the prizes.

HKODA President, Grégoire Bourrut Lacouture says: “Despite the weather, the event was a successful first rehearsal to the IODA Optimist Asian Championship, which will be held in Hong Kong for the first time in 2017.”

The competitors were split in two groups, with the Gold Fleet and Silver Fleet awarded prizes.

HKODA’s members have doubled in the past three years and younger sailors are strongly encouraged in the competition, with prizes dedicated to the “10 and below” and “12 and below” categories.

2015 HKODA National and Open Championship results

HKODA Nationals
First overall - Duncan Gregor (RHKYC)
Second overall - Thorwen Uiterwaal (RHKYC)
Third overall - Faolan Whyte (J-ASIA)
Fourth overall - Jasmine Scholer (HHYC)
Fifth overall - Dolf Hendriksen (RHKYC)

HKODA Open – Gold Fleet
First - Dylan Fang (SIN)
Second - Duncan Gregor (RHKYC)
Third - Thorwen Uiterwaal (RHKYC)

HKODA Open – Silver Fleet
First - Askar Kikabhoy (HKSSA)
Second - Casey Law (ABC)
Third - Augustin Clot (ABC)

Youngest HK Sailor - Sean Liu (HHYC)
Youngest Overseas Sailor - Christopher Marsh (GBR)
Overall Girl - first - Jania Ang (SIN)

10 and Under Girl - first - Charlotte Lo (RHKYC)
10 and Under Boy - first - Yong Ler Poh (SIN)
12 and Under Girl - first - Jania Ang (SIN)
12 and Under Boy - first - Dylan Fang (SIN)
Sailor of the Regatta: Pasu Chu (HHYC)

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