Great winds, sunshine and smiles make Royal Varuna Yacht Club (RVYC) Thailand’s top dinghy sailing destination. After a vote amongst 62 representing countries in Dziwnow, Poland in September, Thailand was confirmed as host country for the Optimist World Championships in 2017, to be held at RVYC from the 10th to 21st of July. 55 international teams and 250 young talented sailors will descend on the club, to experience Thai hospitality and sailing at its best.
“We are very proud at RVYC to have the opportunity to host the International Opti Worlds in 2017. This gives us the chance to showcase Thailand as a great venue for International events, “ said RVYC Rear Commodore, Chris Dando. “We are looking forward to building on the expertise gained from previous world championships held here, including the Laser 4.7, OK Dinghy, and Fireball International classes, and to deliver a great time both on and off the water for all the participants”.
The Optimist World Championships will be coming to Thailand in 2017, hosted at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club in Pattaya from July 10-21. (Photo/M.V. Tchelistcheff)
He continued, “We are very lucky in Thailand to have a good climate for sailing all year round with racing at the club every weekend in warm weather and more than our share of fair winds. The facilities at RVYC are ideal, with easy access to the water and sailing directly off the club beach. Apart from sailing it’s also a beautiful place to relax and enjoy the scenery. Easy access to the main Bangkok airport and container port make the club a great place for sailors and teams to practise, and we hope that many teams will take the opportunity to come over before and after the event for training camps”.
Bid director Jordan Rumsby added, “The credentials of the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, its professionalism and expertise organizing international events became the key factor in us winnig the nomination. The RVYC doesn’t just organize sailing events, it creates lasting memories”.
Asia is one of the strongest regions for grassroots sailing with Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and China winning medals at world championship events in recent years. However, despite many talented sailing teams, Asian countries often forfeit the possibility of racing due to financial constraints. The opportunity will come with the first Optimist World Championships held in Asia for 7 years. Showcased at this event will be Thailand and Asia’s world champion Optimist teams and individual sailors.
“We strive to open the 2017 Optimist Worlds to all sailing teams in Asia, uniting the continent as a world sailing power”, Rumsby added.
For more information about the Royal Varuna Yacht Club and Optimist Worlds 2017 event, visit the website, www.varuna.org.
