Chon Buri, December 16 – Day two of the SSL at the SEA Games delivered the tightest racing so far. Two nation-against-nation races were sailed in building breeze and tropical heat, as sailors representing their nations went head to head in the official SEA Games mixed-team keelboat class. Thailand extended its lead with two clean wins, while Malaysia and the Philippines kept the points fight wide open in a series where every place matters.
The fleet returned to the water under a northwesterly forecast and clear skies. Temperatures climbed to 31 degrees as local crowds gathered early to cheer Her Majesty Queen Suthida’s dock-out. The breeze built quickly and shifted left as predicted. Conditions demanded precision, strength, and calm decision-making. Five nations raced head to head on a windward-leeward course with a leeward gate, set against the turquoise waters framing Pattaya’s skyline.
Race 1: Margins Measured in Meters
SSL Team Thailand took control straight off the start while SSL Team Malaysia matched their momentum. SSL Team Philippines were early on the final approach to the starting line and had to bear away. On the first upwind leg, the fleet split early, with SSL Team Thailand, SSL Team Malaysia, and SSL Team Myanmar heading to the port side after noting stronger pressure there. Meanwhile, SSL Team Philippines and SSL Team Vietnam chose the starboard side of the course.
The first upwind leg turned into a drag race. Thailand locked its closest rival, while the Philippines stayed patient and made only two tacks. This approach paid off as they rounded first at the weather mark, just ahead of Thailand.
Downwind, Vietnam stayed close but ran into trouble at the leeward gate during the gennaker drop. Thailand executed a fast downwind leg, completed another clean drop, and rounded first. The second upwind leg brought heavy hiking and big shifts, with Thailand creating space at the spreader gate and rounding first again. They then sailed cleanly to the finish to secure another win. The Philippines and Malaysia gybed late and finished just behind, while Myanmar crossed fourth and Vietnam fifth.
“We keep things very simple,” said Thailand floater Nichapa Waiwai.“We focus on sailing cleanly and hike hard. That is the key for us.”
Race 2: Pressure, Planing, and a Big Finish
The second start was clean with the Philippines leading early, followed by Myanmar and Vietnam who timed the line well. Thailand soon moved into the lead as the breeze continued to build, and with it, their speed.
Three boats arrived together in a tight battle at the weather mark with Thailand rounding first. Malaysia and the Philippines battled just meters apart, while Myanmar stayed close. Downwind, Malaysia chose the starboard side and found pressure. The move worked, allowing them to close fast and round second at the leeward gate.
On the final upwind leg, Thailand stretched away. The boat accelerated in the stronger breeze and rounded well clear. The final run saw Thailand planing at full speed to another convincing win. Malaysia held second and Myanmar took third, with the Philippines finishing fourth not far behind.
“It shows how high the level is,” said Malaysia skipper Khairulnizam Mohd Afendy.“These teams push hard every day. We have to step up and fight.”Reflecting on their tactics, he added,“Our tacticians and main trimmer saw a big pressure looking downwind and we took the opportunity both of the races to gybe early, which helped us come back. That was a good decision.“
Outlook and current leaderboard
After day two, Thailand leads with authority. Behind them, the points battle is tight, with Malaysia, the Philippines, and Myanmar remaining within striking distance.
Ridgely Balladares, captain of the Philippines, summarised the day:“Today’s racing was important for us. We were able to build confidence and manage the boat well. We are still in contention for the podium tomorrow, and a medal is still possible. We will focus on improving our crew work for tomorrow’s racing.”
Khairulnizam added: “This is very tight racing and anything can happen now. We believe in our team and will give everyone a good fight.”
With more races ahead and conditions staying challenging, the SSL at the SEA Games is set for another high-intensity showdown.
Full leaderboard after day 2:
- SSL Team Thailand – 5 points
- SSL Team Malaysia – 12 points
- SSL Team Myanmar – 15 points
- SSL Team Philippines – 16 points
- SSL Team Vietnam – 26 points