Black Betty tames Easy Tiger at Platu Coronation Cup, Thailand

by Lulu Roseman on 10 May 2013 Easy Tiger IV has been tamed at the 2013 Platu Coronation Cup at Top Of The Gulf Regatta in Thailand by Perth based sailing team, Black Betty. After scoring a seventh in the final race, which was shortened due to ominous thunderclouds heading towards the racecourse, the Tigers finished fourth overall ahead of Rolf Heemskerk's Team ViewPoint.

The other Australian team to make the podium was Brian McMaster's Problem Child who finished in second place while third went to Tigrana skippered by Andrew Moore from Hong Kong.

While Easy Tiger Racing’s Skipper Chris Way was disappointed to lose his 2012 crown he couldn’t be more thrilled for Team Black Betty comprising owner Gary Mcnally, skipper Nick Davis and his young crew.

'I see this class and the 18 boat fleet up here in Thailand as being the perfect lower cost option for younger teams wanting to achieve international exposure and race overseas. The more the better as far as we are concerned,' Chris Way said.

As defending champion it was not the storybook ending Way had envisaged for his newly launched Platu 25. After getting off to a slow start on the first day with an 8, 5, result he knew it was going to be an incredibly difficult task to snare a podium position.

'Despite our team having great race preparation and a new boat, Team Black Betty connected all the dots and sailed a flawless regatta. The racing as usual was well organised and professional with the best made of tough shifty conditions in setting courses in 4-10 knot winds,' he said.

'The dominant direction this year was 260 degrees as against a more normal 230 degrees and the wind shifted substantially as thunderstorms rumbled along inland. This made for shifty light conditions with one race abandoned in a glass out after a thunderstorm went through.

'We will be back again to contest next year’s Coronation Cup title and in the meantime plan to spend more time on the boat in between by competing in as much of the Asian circuit as possible.'

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