| By Jonathan Wong | ||
 |
 |
Singapore sailors Darren Choy and Najwa Jumali thrilled the fans by winning a gold and silver respectively in the Byte II class yesterday. -- PHOTO: JOSEPH NAIR FOR THE STRAITS TIMES |
THE gap appeared - right at the starting line, among the other 11 boats.
But, unlike in the previous nine races, Singapore sailor Darren Choy, 15, decided to curb his aggressive instinct.
With today's race the last of the regatta and his discard still unused, he needed to finish only fifth yesterday to guarantee himself the Byte CII class title.
But try telling that to the Sports School student, who trailed Thai Supakon Pongwichean at the start.
'I try to win every race. I don't want to settle for second,' he said, after overtaking the Thai, who finished third, to storm home for his eighth win in 10 races and claim the Asian Youth Games boys' title.
Aside from this competitive streak, coach Mark Plummer was fulsome in his praise for the young sailor's maturity.
Plummer said: 'The decision at the start to back off and not push the line showed his experience. He's been fantastic throughout the week.'
The teenager was mobbed by national teammates and staff as he docked his craft at the National Sailing Centre.
It was only later that he spotted his parents, Calvin and Kelly, and got a huge hug from them.
His father, who admitted to being more nervous than Darren, said: 'We're still in race mode. This victory hasn't sunk in yet.'
Also thrilling the 50 fans was local lass Najwa Jumali, 15.
The Raffles Girls' School student picked up a silver medal, after winning her race yesterday.
Having finished her race earlier, she turned from competitor to fan, waving the Singapore flag as she cheered teammate Darren at the finish line.
While satisfied with a top-two finish, she is, to the delight of Plummer, looking to improve.
'If only there were more races... I think I could have caught up,' she said wistfully.
The girls' title went to Jittiwa Thanawitwilat, 13, the 2007 South-east Asia Games gold medallist in Optimist Team Racing.
The Thai teenager, who celebrates her birthday tomorrow, was all smiles after she won the gold medal.
'It's a nice present,' she giggled, 'but what I really want is the cute pink running shoes I saw here.'
Chinese windsurfer Wei Bipeng, 13, has no plans to go shopping, despite claiming the boys' title in the Bic Techno 293 event.
The Shenzhen native, who has won all 10 of his races, said in Mandarin: 'I'll probably call my parents tonight, but that's about it. Maybe when I get home, we'll celebrate together.
'Right now, I just want to concentrate on maintaining my record with a win tomorrow.'
Thailand's Siripon Ngam Kaewduang, 14, has also sewn up the girls' title.
Local windsurfer Audrey Yong, 14, is clinging to third spot, after she was disqualified in yesterday's first race following a protest by Hong Kong.
She holds a one-point lead over Man Ka Kei of Hong Kong going into today's final race.
With all the gold medals already decided, is there a temptation for the winners to take it easy or sit out the last race?
'No, definitely not! I want to race and I'm going for another win,' Darren shot back.
