Israeli Omer clinches Gold in Youth Sailing World Championships in New Zealand.
Israeli Yoav Omer arrived in New Zealand to compete in the 2016 Aon Youth Sailing World Championships…and won gold.The competition was held in Auckland and marked the 46th edition and was held from 14 to 20 December 2016.
Yoav Omer Photo: Facebook איגוד השייט
More than 380 sailors from 65 nations sailing in more than 260 boats across nine disciplines competed here in New Zealand.
From the onset, the teenager dominated . Wrapping up the win with three wins from three races on Monday to open an impressive 29-point lead ahead of the medal race.
Competing in the changeable Hauraki Gulf the Israeli windsurfing champion knows that consistency is key when it comes to a top international regatta.
“The most important thing is to be stable in your results and that’s what I have been doing the past few days, and I want that to continue,” says Omer.
His performance has been stable and it’s evident as his day three results of 4-3-1 are his worst run of scores at this year’s Youth Worlds.
Explaining why his results had dropped from his previous days, Omer says. “It was light winds today and it was also from a different direction to the first two days.
“That was difficult for me. I think I have improved a lot though.”
Despite his steady lead, Omer stayed focus on his performance under pressure saying: “No. No way is it over. Everything is open at competitions like this. Conditions can change and it takes just one bad race you know. Focus is the main thing.”
On the heels of Omer is Sil Hoekstra (NED) who scored two seconds and a third to move up to second place overall. Third place is China’s Chen Hao Chen.
