FESPIC Games Sailing - Day 1 competition

by Lara Watts on 27 Nov 2006 Four Australians are competing in the FESPIC Games in Malaysia. The FESPIC Games was first held in Japan in 1975 for people with a disability in Asia and the South Pacific.

Day one of racing for the FESPIC Games Sailing Competition got underway today in Port Dickson, Malaysia. The expected light breezes enabled two races to be started, but the second was finished amid a tropical storm bringing stronger winds and lightning with competitors and officials heading ashore in torrential rain.

The FESPIC Games are a Regional Games for athletes with a disability. Ten nations are represented in the sailing competition organized by the Malaysian Yachting Association (MYA) in conjunction with the International Association for Disabled sailing (IFDS). This is the first time that sailing has been included as a sport in the FESPIC Games and the first IFDS Event to have been conducted in Asia.

Sailing is being conducted from the Admiral Marina & Leisure Club at Port Dickson, 2 hours south of Kuala Lumpur where the majority of other sports are being contested. Race Officer Jennie Lee leads a strong group of local volunteers from the Royal Port Dickson Yacht Club and the MYA with support from FESPIC and the Malaysian Army and Emergency Services. IFDS Officials are from Great Britain, France and Australia, and the International Jury is comprised from Australia, Singapore and Malaysia.

Equipment for the FESPIC Sailing Competition is the International Access 2.3 and Access Liberty, (ISAF Recognised Class). Both are becoming increasingly popular within the Asian region and are very easy for new sailors to adapt to. The regatta is a supplied equipment event, with the Liberty fleet provided by the Access Dinghy Foundation thanks to the support of Maersk Lines and Maersk Logistics who transported the boats from Australia. The Access 2.3 fleet has been provided by the MYA and Sailability Singapore.

Five nations took wins today and different nations head each division after day one based on provisional results.

In his first overseas event, Duncan MacGregor (AUS) dropped one place at the finish of the second race of the Access 2.3 Mens to finish with a 1-2 and is two points ahead of Jovin Tan (SIN) and Al Mustakim Matrin (MAS). In the Womens Access 2.3 Division, Joanne Toh (SIN) took two wins to lead Rachael Cox (AUS) and Ji Qian Qian (CHN).

Malaysian sailor Mustafah Junell has a two point lead over Alson Tumbagahan (PHI) and Yang Xiu Jie (CHN) in the Mens Liberty Division, whilst Ding Zhi Yun (CHN) took two wins to lead Lim Kok Liang (SIN) and Cheerie Pinpin (PHI) in the Womens Liberty fleet.

The nine race program continues until Wednesday November 29.

Results are available from the FESPIC Games Website: http://www.fespickl06.com.my/rs2006/bm/sa/schedule.aspx