Junior Sailors shine at 3rd Phuket O’pen Cup
Near perfect wind and weather conditions greeted junior sailors participating in the 3rd O’pen Skiff Cup last weekend hosted by the Phuket Yacht Club in Chalong Bay. A two-day sailing event focused on ‘Fun with a hint of competition’ was a huge success with the young sailors aged 9 – 14. A variety of courses from the traditional windward leeward to Adventure Courses where capsizes and 360 degree turns are compulsory, and of course everyone’s favourite sailing under the Bridge of Doom, gave every sailor an opportunity to demonstrate skills unique to the O’pen Skiff class. Two age group divisions under 11 and under 15 gave the opportunity for mentoring and building friendships without a mobile phone or device in sight. Five races were scheduled each day and by the 10th and final race on Sunday afternoon it was the local Thai sailors to the fore with Putthison Limpanon winning overall in the under 15 division closely followed by Alex Kramer and Maylisse Mangin. In the under 11 age group first place went to Adrias Kosuge, 2nd Pilou Mangin and 3rd Alicia Siao
Formerly known as the O’pen Bic the class has continued to grow in Phuket with a fleet of over 40 boats on the island. United World College in the North, SAii Laguna Phuket (central) and Phuket Yacht Club in South regularly operate learn to sail courses for all levels of competency from outright beginners through intermediate and advanced sailors.
O’pen Skiff class president for Thailand and Phuket Yacht Club Sailing School, Scott Duncanson, “We officially launched the class back in 2018-19 but before we could gain any sort of momentum that infamous pandemic arrived and stalled progress significantly. Since then, like most forms of sailing on the island, it’s been a slow recovery back but with the addition of the new SAii Laguna Phuket location we’re well placed to make junior and youth sailing accessible for everybody, either resident or visiting the island on holidays”.
The next event on the junior sailing calendar is Phuket King’s Cup Regatta from November 30 – December 6 and performance sailing courses are operating every weekend for children aged 7-15. Weekday private sessions are also available and the school is open throughout the school holidays. Recognizing the importance of non-competitive sailing O’pen Skiff students have the choice of performance or adventure sailing learning pathways with the latter gaining experience through short passage sailing and trips with their families to nearby East coats islands and bays. Parents are encouraged and invited to visit the Phuket Yacht Club, talk to the coaches and find out what sailing is all about. Not letting kids have all the fun, adults may also learn to sail in the larger class dinghies or why not learn as a family? There really is something for everyone of every age.
