Teenage Nelson sailor makes a splash at Myanmar regatta
Myanmar could not be further away from the Nelson waterfront for a 13-year-old yachtie chasing international honours.
However, Nelson’s Noah Malpot has beaten 30-degree C temperatures and some strong competition to claim a podium result at the Asian and Oceania Optimist Championships.
Malpot returned home this week from the beach resort of Ngwe Saung, where he competed as part of the New Zealand Optimist sailing team. In his luggage was a silver medal from the Oceania championships. He finished second to fellow New Zealander Sean Sun, with Australian Joel Beaschel third. He also finished 25th overall in the Asian championships.
Malpot was the only South Islander amongst nine Aucklanders in the Optimist team, led by coach Orestes Reyes.
Organised by the Myanmar Yachting Federation, the competition welcomed 129 young sailors from 16 countries across Asia Oceania, and North America.
Now back at Nelson Intermediate School, Malpot was in recovery mode after being on the water every day for two weeks straight and training five days a week.
Competition-wise, Malpot had enjoyed some international experience six months ago at two regattas in Italy.
Conditions were slightly warmer once he reached Asia, but the light winds and shifting conditions seemed to work in his favour on the water. ‘‘Apparently, we got a little unlucky on the first two days of the regatta, but we had great conditions the last couple of days,’’ he said.
Born in Tahiti, Malpot has been surrounded by water his whole life, living in Kerikeri before moving to Nelson six years ago, when he began sailing at the Nelson Yacht Club.
He is now looking forward to defending his Nelson-Marlborough regional title at Nelson Yacht Club next weekend.
He will then work towards the NZ Optimist nationals at Murray’s Bay Yacht Club in Auckland next Easter.
Malpot said he hoped to take what he’d learned in Myanmar to make the world championships in Antigua next year.