Thailand’s Panwa Boonnak wins 2018 Asian & Oceanian Title.

It was a spectacular conclusion today of the 2018 Optimist Asian & Oceanian Championship at the Ngwe Saung Yacht Club & Resort in Myanmar.

Three races were completed in almost perfect sailing conditions in the final series for each of the Gold and Silver Fleets. In total, 9 races were completed in the championship.

Panwa Boonak of Thailand, the bronze medalist at the 2018 Optimist World Championship, won all three races in the final series to pull ahead of his team mate Jedtavee Yongyuennarn who was leading the championship after the qualifying series.  He was black flagged in the first race of the finals and was second, and third behind Boonak to knock him back to second place overall.

Two sailors from China were able to breakthrough the Thailand stronghold of the top fours places after the Qualifying Series. Gang Siri, finished the series with two 2nds and a 3^rd to jump into third place overall and top girl at the championship.  She was followed by her teammate Zheng Hongyu in fourth and Patihan Vorrasart, of Thailand in 5^th.  Second and third girl at the championship were Chalisa Krittanai of Thailand in 6^th place overall and Faith Hailey Toh of Singapore in 9^th.

Boonnak, Siri and Hongyu were the top three sailors from Asia.  The top three sailors from Oceania were Sean Sun of New Zealand in 16^th place overall followed by teammate Noah Maplot  in 25^th and Joel Beashel of Australia in 28^th.  Top sailor from Myanmar was Htet Lin Zaw in 15^th place overall.

Although the championship started slowly with only one race in the first two days, the race committee did an excellent job of completing the remaining 8 races plus the team racing championship in three days. The thermal wind conditions finally settled in for the last three days enabling the racing of the championship to be completed. 

The 129 sailors from 16 nations concluded the championship at a spectacular closing ceremonies that included cultural entertainment and fireworks.

Kevin Whitcraft, IODA President officially closed the championship followed by the flag ceremony which sees the current host team from Myanmar pass the flag to next year’s host nation, Oman.

Many thanks to the Ngwe Saung Yacht Club & Resort and the Myanmar Sailing Federation for hosting such a successful event.  The venue was spectacular and the organization second to none!  

For results, go to:   http://2018asianoceanians.optiworld.org/en/default/races/race-resultsall

For Videos, go to: http://2018asianoceanians.optiworld.org/en/default/races/race-video

For the microsite, go to: http://2018asianoceanians.optiworld.org/en/default/races/race