The grand final was held in the Assembly Hall, Worthing with Worthing Symphony Orchestra; John Gibbons, conductor, competition co-founder and artistic director. Result, with concertos played in the Grand Final:
1st Prize, Yi-Yang Chen (Taiwan, age 27), Beethoven No 4. Wins £5,000 from Bowerman Charitable Trust and a CD recording for Champs Hill Records.
2nd Prize, Sofya Bugayan (Russia, 36), Tchaikovsky No 1. Wins £2,000.
3rd, Rhythmie Wong (Hong Kong, 26), Chopin No 1. Wins £1,000 from Gisela Graham Ltd. Yi-Yang Chen also received the Audience Prize (from Helena and Tim Chick) and the Orchestra’s Prize Nomination.
All three receive engagements of a concerto with WSO and an Interview Concert at St Paul’s Worthing.
MORE:
Chichester Observer News: https://www.chichester.co.uk/whats-on/music/triumph-in-the-4th-sussex-international-piano-competition-in-worthing-1-8507093
Susan Elkin reviews:
http://susanelkin.co.uk/articles/4th-sussex-international-piano-competition-grand-final-susan-elkin-reviews/
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sussex_International_Piano_Competition
ETSU Press Release: https://www.etsu.edu/accent/2018/08_august/chen_sussex_ipc.aspx