That pushed the overall number of Asian sailors scheduled to compete in Rio past the 30 mark in an overall field of 300. The Championships were held over six days on the shores of the capital’s Corniche when it looked initially as if the event may be cancelled as the Emirates were battered by thunderstorms last week.
Although racing was abandoned on Wednesday, the event concluded on Saturday, and Asian Sailing Federation (ASAF) chiefs were
“We had a great event despite some disruption and overall, sailors went back satisfied,” said ASAF competition director, Ajay Narang.
“This is the first time World Sailing has decided on a continental qualification system for the Olympics. In the history of Asian sailing, this was by far the biggest event in Olympic classes.”
A total of 133 sailors from 40 countries competed for the nine Olympic spots in six different categories and, with Asia now beginning to make its mark on the sport around the globe, ASAF is determined to keep those figures rising.
Two sailors heading to Brazil in August include Japan duo Yukio Makino and Kenji Takahashi who won the 49er division, with Makino set to compete in his third successive Games having featured in 2008 and 2012, and Narang believes the duo are prime examples of the progress Asian sailing has made.