Doha: Singapore’s sailors proved they can deliver in every weather condition and respond to everything the race track throws at them delivering a super consistent performance at the Optimist Asian and Oceanian Championship 2015 in Qatar.
Singapore duo of Daniel Hung and Muhammad Daniel KeI Bin M Yazid, took the overall individual championship followed by Suthon Yampinid of Thailand.
The final day of the championship, saw yet another close and intense battles unfolded against the stunning Doha city backdrop and along the Al Corniche waterfront area.
With lighter conditions, sailors had to find and tack on the wind shifts.
Adding to the race course dynamics, seeking out the wind pressure proved no easy task, due to the high level of competition.
Tension was high in the fight for the medals and the dramatic last day piled pressure on the young sailors. Separated into gold and silver fleets for the final two races, the leaderboard was still open to challenge. In the final race one, the sprint to finish was incredibly close with the lead changing hands throughout the race between the sailors of Hong Kong’s – Duncan Gregor, Turkey’s - Efe Tulcali and Singapore’s - Hung.
Some critical errors in the first upwind saw two of Singapore’s contenders, Muhammad and Jodie Lai, digging deep to make up lost ground.
Ultimately it was Singapore’s Hung who struck just before the finish to take the win.
Onto race two, and the points advantage racked up by Hung looked unassailable. But there was still a chance for his closest rival and team mate Muhammad to step up, although a double digit finish after some tactical errors, and the race win to Hung was conclusive.
In the end it was gold to Hung after two perfect races, silver to Muhammad l and bronze to Yampinid - in a skilful show of form.
Earlier, this week Thailand claimed the Team Racing Championship, after seeing off formidable challenges from China and Singapore.
118 sailors from Asian and Oceania countries took part in the one week championship.
The Peninsula
