Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo M50

Tricky conditions on Day 3 of Top of the Gulf Regatta

by Event Media on 7 May 2017
Day 3 – The highly competitive one-design Platu Class will go down to the wire - Top of the Gulf Regatta Guy Nowell
It was a testing day for all on the third day of the Top of the Gulf Regatta as fickle and shifty winds played havoc with race schedules and results.

Following AP on all courses, the series got underway in a light building breeze. This was soon followed by thunder, lightening and rain, forcing the Optimists and dinghies back to shore to wait out the worst of it. Within an hour all were back on the race course eager to get the final races in to complete their series.

On the keelboat and multihulls course there was no let up and no retuning to shore as the storm blew past, bypassing them and leaving behind some very fickle breeze and tactical racing.

Emagine (AUS) won the first race of the day, a windward/leeward, in IRC Racing 1 but had to settle for second in Race 2 as David Dimmock's Loco (USA) raced the better over long distance and after three hours of racing, managed to claim their first win of the series by little over a minute. THA 72 (THA) was off the pace and sit second, just one point ahead of Loco in the series standings.

Nautical Wheeler (USA) hit their groove in IRC Racing 3 and put a stop to El Coyote's winning streak, with a bullet in Race 1. Their glory was short-lived as El Coyote rebounded in the second race and returned to their winning ways with Magic (AUS) beating Nautical Wheeler into second.

It was a single long, slow race for the Cruising class and after four hours of intense concentration Chris Mitchell's Lady Bubbly (AUS) claimed the win ahead of Thida Waree (AUS) and Le Vent (THA) in second and third respectively.

Two more windward/leewards for the Platu class brings their series tally to eight, two short of a possible 10, and it was a day for the Russian team on Naiad lead by Valeriy Dichenko, who finished with a 1,2 scoreline. They move to within three points of second placer Rolf Heemskerk's Team Viewpoint (NED) whose 3,1 maintains a four point different between them and series leader Easy Tiger 111 (AUS), skippered by Chris Way.

Boating doesn't always go to plan, and no more so is that true than when racing. Bladerunner 7 (UK) limped home in Race 1 with two rips in their main and a second place on the scoreboard, and with that slipped one point behind Sonic (THA). However, for some reason unknown, Sonic did not make the Race 2 start line within the time allocated (though did actually cross the line and start racing), and thus finished with the same points result as Bladerunner 7. It's all to play for on the final day.



The dinghy classes and Optimists finished their three day series today and although the storm and conditions delivered a tricky end, those in the top spots performed to their billing and came away with the trophies.

In Class 9a Keerati Bualong (THA) has been unstoppable and a win in the single race today saw him defend his title with a 1,(2), 1, 2, 1, 1, 1 scoreline. Fellow Thai Chusitt Punjamala easilly claimed second and with Jarupong Meeyusamsen (THA) loosing a protest and being disqualified from the last race, third place overall went to Asri Azman from Malaysia.

In Class 9b there was no doubt who was going to be the winner – Sophia Montgomery's two second places today secured a formality, the class title with Suchakree Dutthotsapol (THA) in second and Chanokchan Wangsuk (THA) third.

Previous Thailand Optimist National Champions Sutida Poonpat (2014) and Suthon Yampinid (2015) were reunited as foes in the Double-Handed Monohull Dinghy Class and it went down to the final race of the series to decide who would claim the glory. Despite finishing second in the final race behind Suthon Yampinid, Sutida Poonpat held on to win the series title by a single point. Former winner, Navee Thamsoontorn (THA), had to settle for third overall.

With just two races for Optimist Fleet A today (and one for Fleet B), it looked like the final result could be decided in the Jury room, but after deliberating the merits of the protest, it was thrown out leaving the racing to do the talking, and Thai youngster Panwa Boonnak was crowned 2017 Thailand Optimist National Champion.

Jedtavee Yongyuennam (THA) held off a strong challenge from Costa Rican youngster, Mic Mohr, to place second, while last year's second place finisher Duncan Gregor (HKG), had to settle for fourth overall this year.

Racing continues tomorrow for the keelboats and multihulls.

The 13th Top of the Gulf Regatta Presented by Ocean Marina takes place 4 – 8 May, 2017 at Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Pattaya, Thailand and is supported by the Sports Authority of Thailand, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, Pattaya City, Royal Varuna Yacht Club and the Royal Thai Navy.

Cyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERC-Tech 2021 SnuffAir 728x90 BOTTOMNorth Sails Loft 57 Podcast

Related Articles

Rolex Fastnet Race: IRC Two Preview
With 73 entries in IRC Two, the Rolex Fastnet Race is set to deliver a striking display. Could two new JPK 1050s upset the apple cart in IRC Two? Jean-Pierre Kelbert has a habit of breaking the mould in IRC racing, and his new 34-footer may well be a game changer in this competitive division with 73 entries.
Posted today at 10:36 am
Dragon Edinburgh Cup in Torbay overall
Tight Racing and Tactical Brilliance The final day of the 2025 Edinburgh Cup brought sunshine, shifting breeze, and two exciting races that kept the championship wide open until the very last run.
Posted today at 8:13 am
Seldén Rodkicker 50 - manual rigid vang
Specifically sized for yachts between 50 and 55 feet A Rodkicker rigid vang is designed to enhance sail handling during reefing and allows for greater sail trim control.
Posted today at 8:00 am
WASZP Games 2025: Talent & fun descend on Weymouth
Poised to be the largest and most competitive in the class's history The 2025 International WASZP Games, set to take place from July 19–25 at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, are poised to be the largest and most competitive in the class's history.
Posted today at 7:23 am
Transpac 2025 Update: Moon River Tonight!
The magic of offshore racing in the 2025 Transpac A vast ocean separates Los Angeles, California, from Honolulu, Hawaii, but the boats racing in this year's Transpac have now crossed the halfway mark. Race leaders are in the tradewinds and making their approach to the Aloha State.
Posted today at 12:26 am
20 Canadians set for Long Beach Grand Slam Event
The Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta will be held July 12-20 20 Canadian sailors will take part in the fourth and next-to-last event of the 2025 Sailing Grand Slam Series, the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta, to be held July 12-20 at one of the two Olympic venues for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Posted on 10 Jul
All smiles among first finishers of the AEGEAN 600
The fastest teams crossed the finish line today at Cape Sounion As the fastest teams crossed the finish line today at Cape Sounion and made their way to the harbour at Olympic Marine, there were exhausted smiles all around.
Posted on 10 Jul
British Classic Week day 4
It was a classic Solent day in Cowes for the OneSails inshore race It was a classic Solent day in Cowes for day 4 of British Classic Week with hot temperatures, sunshine and no breeze in the morning before the sea breeze kicked in from the west and it was time to go racing.
Posted on 10 Jul
iQFOiL Worlds a Aarhus day 5
Finalists locked in for new Medal Series format With the sea breeze stubbornly refusing to make an appearance, Day 5 of the iQFOiL World Championship turned into a long waiting game both ashore and on the water.
Posted on 10 Jul
Jazz Turner Video Interview
How she Faced Everything And Rose during Project FEAR I travelled to Brighton Marina to catch up with Jazz, talking about her own sailing, the challenges she faced during the circumnavigation, how the money raised will be used, and a glimpse of her future projects!
Posted on 10 Jul