RS:X sailors provided some workmanlike performances in the prevailing tricky windsurfing conditions at the ASAF Asian Championships 2016 at Abu Dhabi from March 5-12. The fickle breezes brought out all their skills and experience as they competed in medal races involving six Olympic classes sailing in the biggest Asian regatta of the year. The six-day Abu Dhabi event – as the Asian Continental qualifier for the Olympics – attracted a large entry with nine podium finishers booking their places for Rio de Janeiro in August.

In the RS:X fleets, the men’s qualifying honours went to Thailand and Singapore while Thailand claimed a Rio slot for the women.

Medals in the RS:X races at Abu Dhabi were won by Cho Wonwoo (Korea), when Michael Cheng (Hong Kong) took a silver, and Natthaphong Phonoppharat (Thailand), bronze, in the men’s fleet

In the women’s fleet the Hong Kong’s Sin Lam Lo won a gold, and Siripon Kaewduangngam (Thailand) was second in front of Sabin Chun (Korea), who won a bronze medal.

ASAF Asians website:  http://www.ac2016.asiansailing.org/index.php

The Olympic quest moves on to Palma on March 25 for the Trofeo Princesa Sofia IBEROSTAR which is a qualifying event for Rio and where the last nation slot for Europe will be decided. The large entry for the ten Olympic classes will see about 1,000 sailors competing in the Bay of Palma from March 25 to April 2. The organisers have increased the number of race courses from the usual five (or up to seven) to eight to meet the situation. Tough competition for the remaining Olympic places is forecast for the RS:X Class and for the second consecutive year, the IBEROSTAR is part of the EUROSAF Champions Sailing Cup, the Olympic Classes European Sailing Circuit.

Event website: http://www.trofeoprincesasofia.org/en/

Text: RS:X Class
Photo: ASAF