All classes open for the taking at WSC Regatta

by Capt Marty Rijkuris on 12 Aug 2007
Thirty seven yachts in six classes will face the starters orders when racing gets underway for the 10th Western Circuit Sailing Regatta at Raffles Marina in Singapore this weekend.

The series takes part over three consecutive weekends on the western approaches to Singapore and if the expected SW tradewinds at this time of the year, are in, the racing can be held directly in front of the marina for spectators to enjoy from the breakwater. One design classes are gaining popularity with ten J24's and seven Laser SB3's making up nearly half the fleet.

The diverse IRC Class ranges from Renfred Tay's Platu 25 SMUve, Dickon Addis JS9000 Roo, Jeff Davison's Mumm 30 Panic, Hellmut Schutte's Elan 340 Aquavit IV right through to Bill Bremner's Sydney 40 Foxy Lady III and Fredrick Roswold's Serendipity 43 Wings. The committee have broken the class into A and B but as they start at the same time and sail the same course both are in the running to be crowned overall champions. Recently at the Koh Samui Regatta Foxy Lady III crew excelled to win the IRC Racing Class, Panic won the IRC 1 Class on count back and after a close tussle Aquavit IV reigned supreme in the IRC 2 class. Based on these results the series is open for the taking and could end up in the lap of any one of the entered yachts.

PY Class has attracted six entrants with John Ramsden's Elan Impression 43 Sofa So Good, winner at the RLIR 07 being top of the list. Simon Connor's Sapphire Star, Timo Bretschneider's Christian Stinson Wild Thing and Blake Deberry's Jeanneau No Alibi will be doing their best to keep Sofa So Good honest and within sight. Singapore's champion disabled sailor Jovin Tan has entered a Skud 18 and based on past performances could be on the podium at the end of the series.

The revival of the J24 One Design Class comes at a time when small keelboat classes have been included into regional games. Many yacht clubs, state associations and national authorities in Asia are interested in forming teams to contest a variety of future fleet and match racing events being planned. Going through the entry list there are some previous winners here and top performing boats from past Singapore Straits Regatta's. Being theoretically equal in design it will all come down to the best prepared boat and crew that eventually stands on top of the podium.

The upsurge in One Design racing has seen a rapid growth in Laser SB3 ownership in Singapore. Several semi retired sailors have been attracted to the more sporty class and going one on one has a special appeal of its own. Bob Comstock and Neil Semple are names that have appeared before and over the years preformed with distinction in other keel boat classes will be the ones to watch.

Four off the beach catamarans are expected to have a good battle. Two nippy Taipan 4.9's skippered by Martin Pickrodt and Nicholas Hart will be taking on Jon Veel's Nacra Inter 17 and James Cole A Class Cat. The performance differential between the three designs is quite significant, so weather conditions and handicaps will play a big part in determining the overall outcome.

The Singapore Management University (SMU) is proud to co-organise the 10th Western Circuit Sailing Regatta with Raffles Marina. It is one of Singapore’s largest keelboat sailing regattas comprising three weekends of exhilarating racing, great parties and lots of fun as the SMU undergraduates inject their signature vibrancy and enthusiasm in this first-ever organisation of a full blown regatta in collaboration with Raffles Marina.

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More WCSR 07 info and results when available at: http://www.westerncircuit.com/