First Thai competitor in Transpac says it is 'the toughest challenge'

by Preechachan Wiriyanupappong, The Nation on 27 Aug 2013 It’s a 12-day race from Los Angeles to Hawaii. Patinyakorn Buranrom, the first Thai sailor to compete in the Transpac, said that 'it was the toughest challenge I have ever faced.' The boat was a Tripp 40, Sansiri, co-skippered by well-known Australian sailor Michael Spies, 'with a little help from my friends.' Spiesy is well-known face on the Asian regatta circuit, having sailed with Matt Allen on the last two editions of Ichiban and collected plenty of silverware in the process.

Sponsor Sansiri, a Thai property company, has made a big splash in the sailing world recently, sponsoring the 2013 Thai Optimist Nations (run in conjunction with the Top of the Gulf Regatta). Sansiri was entered under the banner of Patinyakorn's home yacht club, the Ao Chalong Yacht Club in Phuket, and set sail from Los Angeles on July 8.
The Transpac runs from Point Fermin in Los Angeles to Diamond Head, east of Honolulu, and is among the world's great ocean races. Run in alternate years, it regularly attracts the world's most talented offshore sailors and offshore sailing adventurers. The Transpacific Yacht Race, better known as the Transpac, is one of the oldest ocean races in the world. The race started in Southern California and is generally reckoned to be an ‘ocean classic’, sailed offshore over a distance of 2,225 nautical miles (around 4,100km).

'The toughest day was the first day,' acknowledges Buranrom. 'All five of us were on deck, sailing at high speed, and we had no time to sleep or eat, as we were focused solely on the race. We did very well in the early stages. It was very challenging, the toughest ever challenge for myself. I had a fantastic experience. Indeed, it's been the experience of a lifetime. Also, it was amazing to sail in the open sea for 12 days without returning to the shore,' said Parinyakorn, 29, during his visit to The Nation.

'The most important thing is that you have to make sure you have sufficient food and water because you have to travel in the sea for more than 10 days. At the same time, you can't carry every meal you want in the yacht because if it's too heavy, your yacht can't sail well. This is a competition race, not a pleasure or adventure trip.

'One vital factor is that you should make yourself fit physically and mentally. You have to stay on board all the time and follow the strong winds and big waves; the yacht rocks as if it would capsize. Also, you could suffer from seasickness or get fever. You have to get well as soon as possible. In the sea, you can do nothing, but stand against any obstacle you might face.

'We sailed against 59 leading yachts from around the world and the 12 days I co-skippered the Sansiri were wonderful. I enjoyed sailing in such a long race. There were five crew members in the boat and I, the only Thai, had to speak in English with the others. However, it was no problem for me. If I have a chance to join the trip again, I won't miss it for sure,' added the Phuket sailor, whose usual ride is a diminutive Hood 28 called Ooh La La!

Co-skippered by Michael Spies and three crew, Patinyakorn said the Tripp 40, designed by highly respected American naval architect Bill Tripp, finished third in Division 7 in the 2013 Transpace. Sansiri crossed the finish line at 00:39:13 local Hawaii time on July 21, covering 12 days, 14 hours and 30 minutes.

Sansiri faced many challenges during the race, including losing the use of their communications equipment early on as they took on board a lot of water due to rain and strong breeze, and like many other boats had to contend with debris in the water. That did not deter them, as the crew battled to the very end, aiming for the podium.

'Over the last few days, the winds died and we lost time. We sailed well, our tactics were sound and pulling on everyone's experience, we finished third in our division, and we are all very happy with that,' added Patinyakorn. 'I have been impressed with the professionalism of Michael and the crew, and it has been an honour racing with them all. I am proud to be the first Thai competing in this legendary race and a third place against some of the best sailors in the world is something Thailand can be very proud of.'