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Published on December 15, 2007

 Well-acquainted with local wind and sea conditions, Thai sailors yesterday wiped out their regional rivals, capturing six gold medals in the 24th SEA Games sailing competition off the Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Chon Buri.

Rear Admiral Apiwat Srivardhana, secretary-general of the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, said it was not surprising that his sailors had made such an impact on home waters.

"In any major competitions, host sailors always read the wind and sea conditions well to win several categories. I admit that it's one of the sports in which the host side has a home advantage," he said.

The six gold Thai sailors have won this time are the Farr Platu 25, Hobie 16, women's 420, Super Mod, boys' Optimist and Optimist team.

"In the Farr Platu 25 and Hobie 16 classes, our sailors were invincible. They stormed home first in all races. This is proof that our sailors are walking tall in the SEA Games.

"In Hobie 16, Damrongsak [Vongtim] and his younger brother Sakda are not only defending champions, but also consecutive two-time Asian winners, the Doha Asian Games champions and current world number 9. The Vongtim siblings are the pride of the nation," Apiwat said.

"In the previous Games in the Philippines two year ago, we won only one gold, one silver and seven bronze medals. Here, we initially targeted five gold, but our sailors returned with six.

"Actually, our hopes in the women's 420 were not that high, but they proved that anything can happen. They learnt how to cope with the local wind and seas.

"Wind speeds between 10 and 12 nautical miles at the competing venue, were ideal for home sailors and that is  what counts."

As the Kingdom's sailors claimed six gold, defending champions Singapore returned with only four and Malaysia swept both Laser and Laser Radial classes.

Meanwhile, home windsurfers were also in awesome form to win four golds out of five up for grabs.

Ek Boonsawad claimed the Formula class, with Navin Singsart taking the Mistral One Design Youth, veteran Arun Homraruen the Mistral Lightweight and Natthaphong Phonoppharat the Olympic RS:X divisions respectively.

Indonesia won the remaining gold in the Mistral One Design Heavyweight class.

Preechachan Wiriyanupappong

 The Nation

Nakhon Ratchasima