Sail-World.com : Phuket King's Cup 2012 Windsurfing update – Day 4
Phuket King's Cup 2012 Windsurfing update – Day 4
The fourth day of the Phuket King's Cup Regatta windsurfing event started with great planing conditions thanks to strong, but gusty, winds (22 to 25 knots). In fact, the wind turned out a bit too strong for some and a number of windsurfers could not finish the trapezoid course with outer loop.
Races 3 and 4 (provisional results) Hong Kong’s Chun Leung Michael Cheng took centre stage on the fourth day and came first in the third and fourth races of the event. He was closely followed by Thailand’s Natthaphong Phonoppharat (second overall in the third race and third overall in the fourth race) and Hong Kong's Gabriel Brettell (third overall in the third race and second overall in the fourth race). With the third and fourth races of the event, Hong Kong’s Chun Leung Michael Cheng has already amassed a strong lead in the Phantom 295 Men Class (5 points compared to 14 and 16 points for Natthaphong Phonoppharat and Gabriel Brettell). Spain’s Marina Alabau Neira leads the Phantom 295 Women Class after the third and fourth races, closely followed by Hei Man Chan from Hong Kong, with both sailors scoring equally.
Unabated by the strong winds, Thai windsurfer Siriporn Kaewduang-Ngam continued to fight hard and came third in both races today. The strong wind conditions were particularly challenging for the young sailors who did very well and had lots of fun. In the Phantom 295 Youth Men Class, Marcos Guedez was first in the third race, followed by Robert York and Nattanont Chui. Nattanont Chui then came first in the fourth race with Phattharadanai Chinain second and Robert York third. Blanca Alabau Neira dominated the Phantom 295 Youth Women Class where she won both races today.
Races 5 and 6 (provisional results) Back out after lunch and the wind had dropped. The fifth race of the event started in lighter winds of 10 knots, with intermittent gusts, however, reaching up to 16 knots. Both races in the afternoon were very exciting. While Chun Leung Michael Cheng (HKG) finished the fifth race first, Natthaphong Phonoppharat from Thailand came back to place first in the sixth race of the Series.
After six races, race, Chun Leung Michael Cheng (HKG) is first, Natthaphong Phonoppharat (THA) second and Ek Boonsawad (THA) third in the Phantom 295 Men Class. In the heat of the race, Ek Boonsawad and Pornanan Payungkasem collided and the organisers wish Pornanan a speedy recovery and hope he will be able to race in the final day tomorrow.
Racing in the Phantom 295 Women Class was equally exciting in the afternoon, with Hei Man Chan (HKG) first in the fifth race, and second in the sixth race behind Spain's Marina Alabau Neira. After six races, Marina Alabau Neira still narrowly leads the Phantom 295 Women Class with Thai star Siripon Kaewduang-Ngam (THA) in third overall.
In the Phantom 295 Youth Men after six races, Thailand's Sirichai Phusiri is first in the standings, with Marcos Guedez from Martinique second and Robert York from the UK. Blanca Alabau Neira (ESP) is leading the Phantom 295 Youth Women Class, ahead of Oda Skaug from Norway and Dunangkamon Phongern from Thailand.
After a great racing day, sailors returned to the beach to enjoy Starboard's beach fun games and a Thai massage on the beautiful Kata Beach, before getting ready for the Phuket King's Cup Regatta party at the Katathani Phuket Beach Resort.
The windsurf races conclude let's hope that tomorrow will be another stunning day of windsurf racing.
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