Hong Kong Optimist Nationals at Hong Kong Sea School
by Agnes Caer 13 Oct 2015 01:35 PDT
1-4 October 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 8 countries (Macau, Singapore, Thailand, UK, China, Hong Kong, Finland and Netherlands) sailed 7 races over 2 days.
Aged from 9 to 15 years old, the Optimist sailors were racing in winds ranging from 5 to 20 knots, under the watchful eyes of coaches and race officials in 18 safety boats.
They consumed more than 600 meals, 400 Lactel yoghurt 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 2 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 2 groups, with the Gold Fleet and Silver Fleet awarded prizes.
HKODA's members have doubled in the past 3 years and younger sailors are strongly encouraged in the competition, with prizes dedicated to the '10 and below' and '12 and below' categories.
Overall Results:
HKODA Nationals
1st Duncan Gregor (RHKYC)
2nd Thorwen Uiterwaal (RHKYC)
3rd Faolan Whyte (J-ASIA)
4th Jasmine Scholer (HHYC)
5th Dolf Hendriksen (RHKYC)
HKODA Open – Gold Fleet
1st Dylan Fang (SIN)
2nd Duncan Gregor (RHKYC)
3rd Thorwen Uiterwaal (RHKYC)
HKODA Open – Silver Fleet
1st Askar Kikabhoy (HKSSA)
2nd Casey Law (ABC)
3rd Augustin Clot (ABC)
Youngest HK Sailor - Sean Liu (HHYC)
Youngest Overseas Sailor - Christopher Marsh (GBR)
Overall Girl - 1st - Jania Ang (SIN)
10 & Under Girl - 1st - Charlotte Lo (RHKYC)
10 & Under Boy - 1st - Yong Ler Poh (SIN)
12 & Under Girl - 1st - Jania Ang (SIN)
12 & Under Boy - 1st - Dylan Fang (SIN)
Sailor of the Regatta: Pasu Chu (HHYC)