Selangor Gapurna Int Youth OD Champs, last day

by Dave Moxey, RSYC on 12 Jun 2007 Team Philippines went into the final day of racing a mere three points clear of Malaysia 2, skippered by Ng Heng Li, who knew that he had it all to do on the final day of racing. And Thailand were only three points behind him, so he needed three first places to equal Team Philippines, and to then win the event on the count-back score. Quite a challenge!

The teams were all on the water well before the start of racing, and started race seven of the 9-series in a torrential tropical downpour. Both Heng Li and Raphael Buitre got off to excellent starts, with the young Malaysian marginally in front. A hard fought windward leg saw the Malaysian keep his lead and a clean spinnaker hoist by his determined crew provided him with enough of a gap to come home in first place, with the Philippines finishing in second place and Thailand third.

The next race saw the re-emergence of Team Singapore, who had so far had a disappointing regatta. A 3rd place finish helped keep them off the bottom of the leader board, with Heng Li in Malaysia 2 again getting it right tactically to win the race with Team Philippines in 2nd place.

The whole championships came down to the last exciting race. Team Gapurna Malaysia 2 needed to win the final race of the series to complete a 3 wins from 3 races to finish on equal points with Team Philippines to clinch the championship on the count-back rule.

The fleet got off cleanly and Heng Li led from the beginning, knowing what he had to do in order to win the event. He kept himself out of trouble, sailing a safe, covering race to ensure he stayed in front of Philippines, who by this stage were the only team that could prevent his winning this inaugural Gapurna-sponsored event.

At the end of the race he matched what Philippines had achieved on day 1: three wins from three races, finishing the series on equal points of 13 each, with Thailand being the nearest competition on 23 points. The tied first place was split using the count back rule, which, with 3 first places on the final day of competition gave the title of Selangor Gapurna International OD Youth Champion to Ng Heng Li and his crew (Ng Heng Li, Skipper/Helmsman; Cheang Seu Foon, Mainsail Trimmer; Rafee Bin Nasharudin, Sail Controls Trimmer; Faizal Bin Ahmad, Foredeck; Looi Sing Hoe, Headsail/Spinnaker Trimmer).

The event was an outstanding success, with 3 international entries competing against 3 Malaysian entries. The series was sailed in the spirit of good, friendly competition.

Through this event, it is hoped that discussions held during the championship will see the development of an International Racing Circuit for youth sailors in one-design keelboat classes. Both Singapore and the Philippines have already agreed to host similar events over the coming months.

This will go a long way to assisting in the development of Youth Keelboat racing in the region, an aspiration held by Royal Selangor Yacht Club for some time.

This event will be followed in August by the Selangor Gapurna International Youth Match Racing Championships, again to be sailed at Royal Selangor Yacht Club in association with its Sailing Academy. The notice of race for this event will be available shortly, but interested nations/persons should contact Dave Moxey on 00 6 016 626 6224 or email dave@rsyc.com.my’ as soon as possible. The entry for the event, which is hoped will be a Grade 3 event will be limited to 12 teams. The Selangor Gapurna International Youth Match Racing Championships will be held on 22, 23, 24 August 2007.

SELANGOR GAPURNA I.O.D. YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS

Final Placings

1st Team Gapurna Malaysia 2 Ng Heng Li 13pts
2nd Team Philippines Rafael Buitre 13pts
3rd Team Thailand Teiki Ballian 23pts
4th Team Gapurna Malaysia 3 Muhd Faiz bin Norizan 34pts
5th Team SMU Singapore Benjamin Mui 34pts
6th Team Malaysia 1 Ng Ai Li 41pts