The Thai national junior sailing team claimed gold in the team racing event at the Optimist World Championships 2014 in Argentina last Sunday, returning to shore to cheers from around the world.
After a two year absence from the prestigious international event, the five member team defeated Asian Games gold medalists Singapore in the team racing finals which saw 38 nations competing for the title in round robin bouts on the Rio De La Plata off the coast of the Club Nautico San Isidro of Buenos Aires.
Shown in the group photo with the flag are the team with supporters. Front row (left to right): Nopporn Boonchert, Suthon Yampinid, Voravong Rachrattanaruk, Intira Panpiboon, national coach Somkiat Poonpat, and Sutida Poonpat. Back row (left to right): Nima Chandler and Jordan Rumsby of the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, which is bidding to host the Optimist World Championship 2016, and Luis Velasco, Chairman of the 2014 Organizing Committee. (Photo/Matias Capizzano)
After a much deserved rest on Monday, the sailors were due to resume individual fleet racing with Voravong Rachrattanaruk and Suthon Yampinid, currently placed 13th and 14th after three days, still within reach of a top ten result, and Nopporn Booncherd in 30th out of 270 sailors from 50 countries.
Thailand and Singapore Optimists battle for position on the Rio De La Plata in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo/Matias Capizzano)
All sailors at the international event are under 16 years of age; the youngest on the Thai team, Intira Panpiboon of Pattaya’s Royal Varuna Yacht Club, is only 12. All other Thai sailors are with the Sattahip-based Junior Sailing Squadron of Thailand and Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, including Suthida Poonpat, cousin of former Optimist World Champion Noppakao Poonpat, who led the Thai team to a sweep of all four titles on offer at this same event in 2010.
The Thai Optimist team also participated in the 2014 Asian Games, taking bronze in Incheon, Korea, earlier this month.
Thai junior sailors leap into the water to celebrate victory in the team sailing event, Sunday, Oct. 26. (Photo/Matias Capizzano)
