Five school teams prepared for battle at the second FOBISIA Sailing Championships hosted by Regents International School and the Royal Varuna Yacht Club from March 10-12. The schools represented were; Bangkok Patana International, Bangkok Preparatory and Secondary International, Harrow International, Shrewsbury International, and Regents International as the hosts. Together there were a total of over 40 young sailors competing at the regatta.
Two sailing categories were sailed over the 3 days. The individual competition was in the International Optimist dinghy and the team-racing event was held in RS Quba dinghies. The combined score between both categories would determine the FOBISIA schools champions for this year.
Bangkok Patana International students hold the championship trophy as they celebrate their sailing success.
Sailing conditions on day one were ideal in the morning, a good wind and sunshine and the event was underway! Bangkok Preparatory and Secondary made their intentions clear from the start by winning the first two team races, but Bangkok Patana International also made their mark with impressive results. A key race was between the two with Bangkok Preparatory and Secondary coming out with a narrow lead in the team racing on the second day.
Close racing in the team event as RS Quba dinghies make the turn for home.
In the individual Optimist series, it was Bangkok Patana International who were at the head of the field with their top sailor, Aim, scoring an impressive four wins from four races. Sasha from Bangkok Preparatory and Secondary was close behind but had an uphill battle ahead.
Day two saw the completion of the round robin series where all schools sailed against each other in the team racing. Bangkok Preparatory and Secondary confirmed their position at the top of the leader board with Bangkok Patana International joining them for the finals to be held on the final day. In the Optimist fleet Sasha made a spirited fight back and took three wins out of four from Aim to make the result dependant on the final day.
Individual winner, Aim (left) from Bangkok Patana International, receives his trophy from RVYC Commodore Tom Whitcraft.
The final day of racing started with the strongest winds of the event. Even many experienced sailors at the club looked out and thought more than twice about going out. However, all the teams were ready and keen to complete the event. Particular mention should go to the young Optimist sailors from Shrewsbury who left the shore and gave their all for their team in the tough conditions.
The first places to be decided were in the team racing with the sail off for 3rd to 5th position between Regents, Shrewsbury and Harrow. Regents took the first two wins to lift them up into contention after a slow start to the event. But Harrow persevered and kept sailing well to eventually secure 3rd overall in the team-racing event.
The Harrow International team took 3rd in the team racing event.
The team racing final then took place just off the shore with many supporters cheering the sailors from the shore or from boats on the course. Bangkok Preparatory and Secondary sailed smart to win the first two races of the best of five finals. Bangkok Patana International fought back to take the next race but with all still to play for Bangkok Preparatory and Secondary made sure of overall victory with a great first and second place over the finish line in their final race.
Host school Regents International placed 4th in team racing.
With Bangkok Preparatory and Secondary crowned the team racing champions, it was down to the Optimist fleet to decide the overall result and their own champion. The battle was on at the top and it was Sasha from Bangkok Preparatory and Secondary who was enjoying the strong winds to score three wins. Both the Optimist individual result and the overall results came down to the last race of the event. Aim from Bangkok Patana International kept his nerve and, with the wind conditions moderating a little, took the win in the final race to secure the individual title.
Young Fobisia sailors pose for a group photo at Royal Varuna Yacht Club in Pattaya.
With wins for both the top two schools in the two disciplines, and both equal on points, the deciding factor was the second team member in the Optimists. After a tough three days of sailing this was Peter from Bangkok Patana International to give his team the overall title.
The regatta closed with the prize giving ceremony where all joined together to celebrate a great competition with many young sailors who made the event such a success with their sportsmanlike attitude.
Shrewsbury International students still smile despite finishing 5th in the team event.
Strong winds marked the final day of sailing.
