A nail biting conclusion to the preceding five day of racing all came down to the medal races at the ASAF Youth Sailing Cup Finals today at Abu Dhabi. There were outstanding performances in all classes, some Championships won with a race to spare and others came down to the wire.
After yesterday’s calms and in-betweens, the medal race day was a much more sanguine schedule. The Laser Radial Youth got off first at 1000 hours for their short, sharp twenty-five minute windward/leeward race, followed by the Laser 4.7 Men and Women, Optimist (Girls) and, Optimist (Boys). A fleet race for Optimist was added to the schedule off the Corniche Beach, with hundreds of spectators and onlookers, keenly following the race.
The medal presentations and closing ceremony took place at the Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club. Mr Abdullah Al Obaidli, Secretary General, UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation, the Chief Guest, presented the medals and trophies to the winners.
Hong Kong won the ASAF Youth Sailing Cup Nations Trophy for the second consecutive year.
Reinier D'Arnaud, the Competition Director, said: “This year’s ASAF Youth Sailing Cup Finals was fantastic, even with the adverse weather conditions all fleets ended the week with a good series on the score board.
“Finally, I want to say thank you to all the race officials, volunteers and parents this week, this event would not be possible without you. I look forward to welcoming you all to the ASAF Youth Sailing Cup series 2016 – 2017 event at UAE.”