Thai Windsurfing Team Halts Sea Practice Due to Typhoon

Thailand's national windsurfing team is facing disruptions due to an approaching typhoon at the competition venue in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The athletes have been forced to cancel two days of sea practice, scheduled for September 20-21, 2024, as the practice area also serves as the actual competition site, following directives from the event organizers. The national team comprises athletes set to compete in the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. These include William McMillan (Thai-Australian) in the men's open IQFoil, Siriporn Kaewduang-ngam in the women's open IQFoil, Wachirawit Thon-up in the boys' U19 IQFoil, and Chanatgorn Charoensuk in the girls' U19 IQFoil. The coaching staff includes Sakda Sakunphang, Natthapong Phonnopparat, and sports scientist Somphop Sakoldee. Nattaphong Boonsawat, Secretary-General of the Thailand Windsurfing Association, stated, "We received a report from Coach Oat that the typhoon has entered the training area, which is also the actual competition venue. The organizers have announced a ban on sea practice for September 20-21. Therefore, the coaches have instructed the athletes to maintain their fitness through land-based training. As soon as the weather improves and sea practice is permitted, the athletes will resume training." The Thai windsurfing contingent is scheduled to move into the accommodation provided by the organizing committee on September 23, 2024, staying at a hotel near the competition venue. At the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, the Thai windsurfing team secured one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal. The gold medal was won by Siriporn Kaewduang-ngam in the women's RS:X (she had previously won two bronze medals in 2014 and 2018). The silver medal went to Natthapong Phonnopparat in the men's RS:X, and the bronze medal to Aticha Homruen in the women's open IQFoil. Source: INN News