Local favourites, the Som Tam Cowboys, win Phuket Race Week 2004

by the Asian Edition on 19 Jul 2004 'Go the Cowboys!’ Cheers of victory pervaded the waterfront at the Phuket Evason Resort and Six Senses Spa today as local favourites, the Som Tam Cowboys, won the Racing class in the final day of the inaugural Phuket Race Week. ‘It was a great week’, an elated Scott Duncanson, owner and skipper of Securicor Som Tam Express commented. ‘Good fun, light winds early on in the week but great wind today.’

Winds picked up with a fury as the race progressed, fuelling the tension and excitement competitors were undoubtedly experiencing prior to starting this deciding race of the series. With winds gusting up to 15 knots, several boats in Racing class found themselves somewhat overpowered and in compromising positions.

‘We’d thought we’d throw in a quick gybe and beat Panic! across the line’, said Mark Horwood, owner and skipper of Image Asia Attitude and of Latitude 8 Yachting of his second broach. The entire crew incidentally denied that this tactical manoeuvre had anything to do with the can of Foster’s beer in their hands!

Tactics were also the key to the coolheaded and stylish start by Skippers Duncanson and Stuart Harrison of Panic! who were on equal points entering this last race. Skiff Asia Pla Loma, skippered by Keith Moore went off the line first, followed by Image Asia Attitude while the battle of minds for better positioning actually took place before the start line. A handsome payoff for Securicor Som Tam Express as she steadily gained ground on today’s windward leeward course and crossed the line first. Scott is an experienced dinghy sailor from youth and is the son of the Phuket 8 designer, John Duncanson of Duncanson Yachts in Australia.

In today’s race, Skiff Asia Pla Loma finished second, Panic! third while Image Asia Attitude was relegated to fourth.

Yendy’s led the pack in IRC today and took line honours. On corrected time, John Vause’s, Ruby Tuesday finished first, Minx skippered by Mick Kealy took second and Yendys skippered by Richard Grimes third.

Club class competitors experienced a similar battle of wills behind the start line with Stuart Crow on Cinders and Al Boone on Blue Moon vying for victory. Cinders took the race while Blue Moon followed in second and Four Winds placed third.

Although Ceberus, skippered by Mark Pescott, had already claimed the series with its fourth win yesterday, she joined in the fun and finished first. Chimera with Matthew and the Phuket Youth Team on board came second followed by Kiko skippered by Chris Sieber in Multihulls.

Phuket Race Week was held under the auspices of the Ao Chalong Yacht Club and as the wind blows, it so happens that the overall winners of the series are all members of this local yacht club.

Securicor Som Tam Express won in the Racing class with Panic!, Skiff Asia Pla Loma and Image Asia Attitude following. In IRC, Minx took the series followed by Ruby Tuesday, Octopussy, and Yendys. Cinders won In Club, followed by Blue Moon, Four Winds and Forest, skippered by Bobby Golding. Ceberus won the Multihull class, followed by Kilo and Chimera.

A big thank you goes to New Zealander John Mc Lennan who, as Principal Race Officer provided his 30 year experience in the field, also to Mark Pryce, Chairman of the International Jury and the race results officer. There was only one protest this regatta, and a very minor one at that! Thanks also go to the many volunteers who provided expertise and helped out on the course.

Next year’s regatta will take place July 28-31. See www.phuketraceweek.com for more information.