Sarawut Phetsiri crowned winner of 2012 Thailand Optimist Championship
Going into the final day, 2011 national champion, Chaninat Poolsirikot had a one point lead over Sarawut Phetsiri, with Pongsapat Pumyam a further two points back in third. All was to play for with three more races scheduled and the drop race to come into play.
Sarawut Phetsiri, winner of the 2012 Thailand Optimist Championship. (Photo by Guy Nowell/ Top of the Gulf Regatta)
Sarawut took the win in the first race, with Malaysian entry Connie Riverra Tsen in second and Suthon Yampinit in third. Pongsapat scored a sixth with Chaninat finishing eighth. In the second race, the top three tracked each other around the course and Chaninat fought back with a second place finish, behind Sarawut in first and Pongsapat in third.
The title went down to the wire and was decided in the final race of the series.
Markey Lilienthal saved his best for last, taking the win in the final race ahead of Sarawut in second and Nopporn Boonchard in twelfth. Sarawut’s second was enough to take the overall title with Pongsapat in second and Chaninat third.
On Saturday, Ocean Marina was the launching point for the annual sailboat race to Sattahip known as the Thai Raver race, named after sponsor Dick Sander's
They arrived in Coffs Harbour after 10 days and stayed for several nights before carrying on to Southport Yacht Club on the Gold Coast.
