Phuket King's Cup 2012 Windsurfing update - Day 3

by Windsurfing Association of Thailand on 4 Dec 2012 After yesterday’s heavy showers, weather conditions improved for the second day of the windsurfing competition at the 2012 Phuket King's Cup Regatta. Light easterly winds prevailed on the race course allowing two races to be sailed.

Race 1
The first race started at 11:05 with gusts up to 14 knots. After an exciting start, Siriporn Kaewduang-Ngam, Thailand’s rising windsurfing star, was second overall until the third mark, when she started falling behind. She went on to finish sixth overall in the first race, behind Chun Leung Michael Cheng (HKG), who finished first in 45 minutes. All the sailors from Hong Kong showed impressive performance on the water and for Chun Leung Michael Cheng (HKG), it was the first in the Phantom 295 Men Class.

For the Phantom 295 Women Class, Marina Alabau Neira (ESP) came first, followed by Hei Man Chan (HKG) and Siriporn Kaewdung-Ngam (THA). Sirichai Phusiri (THA) finished first in the Phantom 295 Youth Men Class, while Emma Labourne (GBR) came first in the Phantom 295 Youth Women Class. The first race of the event was very challenging for the sailors as the wind dropped to around 7 knots at 11:30.

Race 2
With the winds around 7 to 8 knots, the course was shortened and the second race, which was held back-to-back, took only 25 minutes to complete for the first finisher. Hei Man Chan (HKG), secured first overall in the second race, while Natthaphong Phonoppharat (THA) and Chun Leung Michael Cheng (HKG) finished second and third, respectively. In the Phantom 295 Men Class, Natthaphong Phonoppharat (THA) was first, Chun Leung Michael Cheng (HKG) second and Ek Boonsawad (THA) third. Hei Man Chan (HKG) came first in the Phantom 295 Women Class, followed by Marina Alabau Neira (ESP) and Siriporn Kaewdung-Ngam (THA). Thanatip Suksomchot (THA) led in the Phantom 295 Youth Men Class and Blanca Alabau Neira (ESP) in the Phantom 295 Youth Women Class.

The day ended with Chun Leung Michael Cheng (HKG) taking the overall lead, followed by Hei Man Chan (HKG) and Marina Alabau Neira (ESP). Complete overall results as well as results by class are available at http://www.kingscup.com/index.cfm?ntid=1223.

As the wind continued to be very light, no further races were held. When the sailors returned to the beach, they were welcomed by the team from Starboard who arranged free massages on the beach and an SUP race for those competitors who had still some energy left and did not want to miss the opportunity to win one of the many prizes (such as lycras, T-shirts, fin bags and thermal water bags) provided by Starboard. What a treat!

Day 3 Video