Whilst many athletes from Asia are already confirmed to represent their nation on the Olympic startling line, for some in the Laser Standard, Laser Radial, RS:X Men and Women, 49er and 49erFX, it is still all about securing that critical qualification for the final guarantee of a spot in Rio, and their performance at the ASAF Asian Championship 2016 would make all the difference.

Twenty-three nations are so far represented in the provisional entry lists, with plenty of big players in both the Men and Women fleets, including reigning National Champions and Asian Champions.

This close to the 2016 Olympic Games, every event is a dress rehearsal, but by the time the first race at the ASAF Asian Championship 2016  kicks off on Monday 07 March, there will only be 155 days to go until the Opening Ceremony in Rio.

Whilst the quest for Olympic qualification will be intense, it will also be getting ready for race time at the Olympics for some.

Sailing in Asia is yet to be amongst the most popular sports, however, some of the sailors have achieved global acclaim on Olympic and World Championship stages over the past decade.

"There's a lot at stake this year at ASAF Asian Championship 2016 at Abu Dhabi," said Dr Malav Shroff, President of the Asian Sailing Federation. "The number of entries to this event has surpassed those at some of the major regattas held in Asia in the recent years and this sure is a sign of things to follow for the future.”

The Next Generation
Having achieved success at the Optimist and other youth classes at the World Championships in the past decade, the next generation is already truly inspired, with a wealth of young talent hoping to give the big names a run for their money. A solid mindset, self-belief, mental toughness, precision manoeuvres will keep one ahead of their rivals, skills that some of these young guns from Asia, have in abundance.

In all, there is plenty of talent to declare the ASAF Asian Championship 2016 far from over until the last second of the last race, and there is most distinctly an air of unfinished business ahead of Olympics qualification.

The Race Officials Team
The race management team will be headed by David Campbell James as the Principal Race Officer assisted by Abdur Rehman Arshad and Jerrold Ng. Andrus Poski will chair the International Jury. He is assisted by Tomasz Chamera, Rut Subniran, Leonard Chin, Takao Otani, Wee Lee Teo, Pilsung Lee and Blake Redding. Aileen Loo will assume the role at the Chief Equipment Inspector and is assisted by Ajit Diaz.

All appointments come with vast experience throughout multiple fleet race regattas and were confirmed by the Events Appointment Working Party of the World Sailing. 

About the ASAF Asian Championship 2016 
Taking place from 05 – 12 March and hosted at Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club, the ASAF Asian Championship 2016 will be contested over 5 race days. Racing kicks off on Monday 07 March, with the race series unfolding on the stunning waters off the Abu Dhabi coast. Follow the action at: www.ac2016.asiansailing.org