That is what's happening with Nattapong “Max” Yuang-ngam and Kartoon “Toon” Jundet from the Phuket Youth Sailing Club (PYSC) as they have been invited to compete in the National Optimist qualifiers at Sattahip, taking place this weekend December 20 and 21.
If successful, both Max and Toon will represent Thailand in the 28th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games 2015.
It's a continuation of a big year for Phuket youth sailors, as Toon finished 5th overall in the 4.2m class at the Zhik Topper World Championships at Wales' Pwllheli Sailing Club back in August. In addition, PYSC's Kuluk “Ta” Sarawuth finished 7th in the same event.
“The invitation to attend the qualifiers is a great accolade to the club and a great accomplishment to these young sailors who live in children’s home, and only train once a week against fellow sailors who train every day,” said Katy Gooch-Firmin, the head coach of PYSC.
Both Max and Toon recently finished 1st and 2nd respectively in the Dinghy Series events leading up to the Phuket King's Cup Regatta. They also finished 4th and 6th respectively in the PKCR International Dinghy Regatta in the Optimist Class against some of the top sailors in Thailand in addition to their participation in the Top of the Gulf Regatta.
The Optimist class – which is for youth sailors under 15 – use a small, single-handed sailing dinghy and is the biggest youth racing class in the world.
Max and Toon have both been training at least once a week for several years at the PYSC on the waters off Cape Panwa. The club is known for training orphaned and disadvantaged Thai children through their partnership with the Phuket Sunshine Village.
“Thanks to the generous support from our sponsors, we have already come a long way. However, as with all amateur sports, finding stable financial support is the greatest obstacle to the best intentions so we need to find other ways to support the programme” says Katy Gooch, Club Coach.
For more information or to support the PYSC, contact Katy Gooch at katy@toppersailphuket.com.