Sailors rig up for last Asian-only tickets to Paris 2024

The regatta represents the last Asian-only qualifying event, with two tickets each available in the ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 dinghy classes, and one ticket each in the 470 double-handed dinghy, 49er and 49erFX skiffs, and Nacra 17 mixed multihull classes.

Among the 17 Asian nations eligible to qualify, China has fielded the largest contingent of sailors, with 33 boats including entries in each event at the regatta. In the Nacra 17 class, nine Chinese entries are to take on two Indian and one Singaporean boats. Korea is represented by 22 sailors, including eight in the ILCA 7 class and six in the 49er. Thailand’s strongest showing is in the ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 classes, with five entries in each. Only four sailors hail from countries ineligible to qualify.

Racing begins on December 13, with the flat, calm waters and wind of only 5-10 knots of the past two days expected to give way to stronger wind and waves later in the week.

Admiral Adoong Pan-Iam, Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, and World Sailing President Quanhai Li opened the event at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club.

The 2023 Asian Sailing Championships are organized by the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand and the Royal Thai Navy, with the support of World Sailing and the Asian Sailing Federation (ASAF). Sponsors include the Sports Authority of Thailand, Chonburi Province, and Pattaya City.

For live tracking of races, see SailFish.