 | THE Optimist World Championship 2017 ended successfully with 281 young sailors from 62 countries contributing to making the event a resounding international success. Marco Gradoni of Italia was named World Champion 2017. Team USA was crowned Best Nation and Best Team Racing champions. Malaysia’s Muhammad Fauzi Bin Kaman Shah won silver in the individual series, a step up from his bronze last year. Costa Rica’s Mic Sig Kos Mohr, who spent months training in Thailand, won bronze. While Thai sailors Panwa Boonnak and Jedtavee Yongyuennarm finished 10th and 13th overall. Thomas Whitcraft, President of the Optimist World Championship 2017 Thailand, said, “I wish to express my gratitude for the dedication and great support shown by everyone involved. Thailand has hosted a truly memorable programme, as befits its reputation as one of the world’s great sailing nations. |
 Our hope is that this competition will inspire young sailors from all countries and all backgrounds to continue with sailing, and raise their games to one day compete in the Olympic competition.” The 2017 Optimist World Championship is organised by the Royal Varuna Yacht Club with the endorsement of the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand and the Junior Sailing Squadron of Thailand under the International Optimist Dinghy Association. It is supported by strategic partners including Pattaya City, the Sports Authority of Thailand and the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau. Co-sponsors include The Pizza Company, Apollo (Thailand), Thai Airways, and True Corporation. For more information, visit www.varuna.org |  |
