Sean Lee (SIN) wins IODA Asian Championships

by Robert Wilkes, Int Optimist on 4 Aug 2006 Sean Lee of Singapore is the new Asian Champion!

Sean, defending champion and 2006 North American open champion, made no slip in the failing winds of the final race and finished 7 points clear of his compatriot Griselda Khng who won her ongoing battle with Rufina Tan (MAS) to take the girls prize as well.

But while the globe-trotting Singaporeans took the top spots China showed their strength in depth by placing all five team members in the top ten and with gold in the team-racing championship showed a big improvement on their 2005 results.

Japan and New Zealand anticipated proposals by the IODA Executive and sent lower ranked sailors and while Scott Barnes (NZL) could not maintain his early form should be well pleased with his 14th place. Thailand performed solidly and, looking to the smaller fleets it was good to see sailors from Korea, Qatar, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and hosts Taipei engaged in their own private battle for places in the top half of the fleet.

Fulong proved an excellent venue with plenty of wind on most days. Tidal currents are a feature of sailing and are expected to be a factor at the Qingdao Olympics. Reports of shore life are very positive and the hosts are to be congratulated on a fine championship.

A total of 63 competitors sailed in the event. They came from 13 Asain countries plus New Zealand


Website - Great photos!: www.sailing.org.tw/ioda2006_asian/
Class website: www.optiworld.org/ioda-news.html