PC Classic Regatta 2006

by Peter Cummins on 27 Mar 2006 Sailing does not come any better.

A perfect day, clear skies and a reasonable chop from a 15-knot southerly and 90 craft manoeuvring mid-stream out in the Gulf for the start of the 12th Pattaya Mail PC Classic. The Royal Cliff Beach Resort International Regatta was sailed this year to celebrate the 60th anniversary of HM the King's accession to the throne.

And what a day and night it was. Hobie Cats, Nacres, Lasers, Multihull Catamarans, Keelboats and a flotilla of juniors in the Optimist dinghies battled it out on the Gulf.

A huge group of spectators crammed the Royal Varuna seafront to watch the action and avail themselves of the Royal Cliff's generous catering.

The biggest fleet by far was the Optimists which, under the careful tutelage of Dave Littlejohn, comprised 42 entries. Thirty came from the Royal Thai Navy facilities in Sattahip.

Finally, as the sun set on a beautiful day, the juniors surged forward for their trophies for both the Optimist and the Laser 4.7 rig.

They showed a prowess out on the water in the tough conditions worthy of any world champions.

Mainly through the unstinting support and dedication of New Zealanders Julie and Dave Littlejohn, the Optimist Class was so well attended.

Then, it was over to the five-star award-winning Royal Cliff for a sumptuous buffet, with Ruby and her Royal Cliff trio and an Elvis impersonator entertaining the crowd.

In his usual suave manner, Dr Iain Corness MC'd the show; never missing even the most miniscule nuance, while Peter Malhotra, MD and owner of the Pattaya Mail and the Pattaya Blatt, informed the big group of sponsors where their assistance had been used during the intervening year.

The Ambassador of Austria, as personal guest of Panga Vatthanakul, MD of the Royal Cliff, continued that Embassy's support of the PC Classic while Khun Panga herself was well pleased with the outcome.

Among the long list of sponsors was this year's Platinum European Security Concept (ESC Property Services).

Perennial PC Regatta supporters were, in no particular order, the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, Jomtien Boathouse, LCB Container Terminal 1 Ltd., Siam Royal View, Pattaya Mail, Pattaya Blatt and Pattaya Mail on TV, Ambrose Wines, Singha, Pattaya International Ladies Club, ReTECH Energy, the Rotary Clubs of Jomtien Pattaya and the Pattaya Marina, Carpet Master , Hospitality C., Ltd, Associated Press, Swiss International Airlines, BeLucky, OAU Porrn Phanich, T and T Aluminum Ltd Part. and the Royal Varuna Yacht Club.

A newcomer to the PC Classic, but not to marine-sport sponsorship this year, was the Raimon Land property development company which supports regattas and yacht racing up and down the Kingdom.

And, so, for another year, all proceeds from the Regatta will be disbursed to better the lives of the most needy in this region especially the children.

RESULTS
Hobie Cat 16: 1. Bud/Gaile Rockey; 2. Robert/Ole Vollmers
Multi S: 1. Bob Garner; 2. Alberto Cassio; 3. Jan Holdorff
Multi D: Claire/Simon Medd; 2. Richard Eyre/Dave Littlejohn; 3. KitsadaVongtim/Surapong V.; 4. Andrew/William Connelly
Monohulls: 1. Nick Henley (Laser); 2. Marcel Dubbelman (Laser); 3. Dave Wales/Gilbert Leeman (Enterprise); 4. Aaron Frankel (L); 5. Kevin Whitcraft (L); 6. Christophe Menke (L)
Laser 4.7: 1. Kirati Bualong ; 2. Ruben Menke; 3. Santhiti Hirunsart; 4.. Matteo de Vos.
Optimist: 1. Natthawut Paenyaem; 2. Pattera Meeyuusamsen; 3 Benjamas Poonpat; 4. Phonphet Sook-u-dom; 5. PichamonFarkhum; 6. Nut Butmarasri; 7. Sittisar Ponpun; 8. Supakon Pongvichean; 9. Pat Littlejohn; 10. Napakao Poonpat; 11. Stefano Cassio; 12. Kamolwan Chanyim.
In addition, Dave Littlejohn, aware that the Sattahip boys and girls could well clean up the top places which they did donate special PC Classic trophies to the Royal Varuna Juniors: 1. Pat Littlejohn; 2. Stefano Cassio; 3. Naphat Tye; 4. Bagus Bogert; 5. Bauke Tepstra.
Bauke also won the award for the first boy beginner category.
Keelboats: 1. Hi Jinx (Pascal Leray and crew; 2. Alex Skaria; 3. Gary Baguley ; 3. Morten Jakobsen.
Multihull Catamaran: 1. Olaf Reese.