Please select your home edition
Edition
Hyde Sails 2024 - One Design

2023 Optimist Asian and Oceanian Championship - Team Racing

by Narayana Marar 4 Nov 2023 21:40 AEDT 29 October - 5 November 2023
Heading for gold - Sander Block, a member of the winning USA team, at the 2023 Optimist Asian and Oceanian Championship © Craig Strydom

Italian hopes of a gold medal at the 2023 Optimist Asian and Oceanian Championship were put on hold as the USA carried off the overall team title in Abu Dhabi.

The American quartet of Sander Block, Finnegan Grainger, William Whidden and Sophia Alexopoulos won the opening two matches in the best-of-three final to beat an Italian team which included the regatta's individual leader, Mattia Di Martino.

At the end of a 31-match competitive format which ended in fading light, Thailand finished in the bronze medal position, and also claimed the Asian championship title ahead of Singapore, with Malaysia and the UAE tied for third place.

The results underlined the value of teamwork over individual performance, as none of the triumphant American team had finished inside the top 20 standings on conclusion of the five-race individual qualifiers.

Light winds have been a feature of the regatta, which is being staged by Abu Dhabi Marine Sport5s Club for the first time, but Di Martino had shown an ability to perform in all conditions on his way to four qualifying race victories.

Lying second in the race for the individual gold, Spain's Joan Domingo grabbed the initiative in today's first of the final group of fleet races, with Di Martino having to settle for eighth place.

Thailand's Chanatip Tongglum, holding the bronze medal position at the end of the qualifiers, was black flagged for a race infringement, but the top three were still locked in a tense battle for gold.

Finishing tomorrow, the event is sponsored by Abu Dhabi Ports and Al Mariah Bank, and hosted by ADMSC in cooperation with the UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation, the Asian Sailing Federation, and Abu Dhabi Sports Council.

The regtatta is the continental championship for Asian and Oceanian nation members of the International Optimist Dinghy Association, which oversees the fundamental class in the world of sailing for the 7-15 year age group, and is marking its 50th anniversary.

Related Articles

Corinthian Otters Explore Lion Creek
The excitement is instant, the novices are wide-eyed to the tales from the old salts The excitement is instant, the novice adventurers wide-eyed to the tales from the old salts who have been before. It's a firm favourite among the young sailors and parents lucky enough the claim a crew spot on the support boats. Posted on 15 May
IOCA GBR Optimist Selection Trials
Tactical masterclass in Weymouth The best of Britain's young Optimist sailors gathered in Weymouth last weekend for four days of high-stakes racing, vying for spots on the 2025 World, European, and Development Teams. Posted on 12 May
RCIYC Nick Cousins Memorial Spring Regatta Preview
Scheduled to run from Friday to Sunday 16th to 18th May in Jersey Entries are open for the fourth edition of the Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club's Nick Cousins Memorial Spring Regatta, scheduled to run from Friday to Sunday 16th to 18th May. Posted on 7 May
Northamptonshire Youth Series preview
It's just over a week to go to the first of this year's events It's just over a week to go to the first of this year's events. We're starting off at the beautiful Middle Nene Sailing Club. It really is a spectacular gem of a sailing club tucked alongside the River Nene. Posted on 1 May
Blackwater SC cadet training weekend
Sunshine, sailing and ice-cream for 70 sailors The Blackwater Sailing Club proudly hosted an inspiring, busy and successful Cadet Training Weekend 26-27 April welcoming more than 70 enthusiastic young sailors from aged 8 to 18 for two days of skill-building, fun and adventure on the water. Posted on 1 May
Rooster Strengthens 2025 Season Partnerships
Commitment to supporting classes and clubs that promote participation, performance, and progression Rooster Sailing Ltd is proud to announce the continuation and expansion of several key partnerships for the 2025 season, along with the addition of a new collaboration with one of the UK's most iconic sailing clubs. Posted on 29 Apr
Register for the International Optimist Regatta
Early entry discount ends May 1! Register now for the 32nd International Optimist Regatta (IOR), TOTE Clinic, and TOTE Team Race, June 9-15, 2025. Posted on 26 Apr
SVG Junior Sailing Week 2025
A Spectacular Celebration of Youth, Sportsmanship and Island Spirit When Minister Carlos James called on the SVG Sailing Association to help deliver SVG Junior Sailing Week 2025, the response was clear, and the results were outstanding. Posted on 24 Apr
The Real Impact of Sprit Tension in an Optimist
You might think that there's nothing more to learn about Optimist sailing You might think that there's nothing more to learn about Optimist sailing—that you've heard it all. Posted on 16 Apr
Ron Beasley obituary
A seven-year joinery apprenticeship lead to being a world champion dinghy builder Ronald William Beasley was born on the 31st January 1931 and grew up in Bradley, Bilston in the Black Country. He left school at age fourteen. He then completed a seven-year joinery apprenticeship at 'Wilcocks' in Wolverhampton. Posted on 16 Apr
North Sails Loft 57 PodcastJeanneau Sun Odyssey 350RS Sailing 2021 - FOOTER