Clean sheets for Ichi Ban, SEA Property and Wikki Quantum Racing at TO

by TOTG Event Media on 2 May 2009 Another early morning storm – this one a mini-storm – threatened light wind conditions or today´s race, but in the end it was a hollow threat. 15+ knots welcomed participants on the start line and held strong throughout the races today.

The stronger winds proved a handful for some. A number of retirements included The Sting (Ocean Multihulls) who dismasted early on, some broaches-cum-near-capsizes from some of the smaller faster boats. The Platus were in their element with a number of crew struggling to keep their spinnakers under control. Pornstar caught a lazy sheet from Lawana in her mast and was towed for a while almost being dragged over. Finally freeing herself, Pornstar later capsized and called it a day and retired. Capsizes were also evident in the smaller fleets with a number of Lasers spending time in a horizontal position.

IRC Class 1 completed two races today with Ichi Ban taking bullets in both and keeping a clean sheet of wins in the series. In the first race Breakaway came second and after a flying start Vino came third on corrected time. The second race also saw Breakway finish second and Intrigue enjoyed today´s stronger winds to finish third. Series standings to date have Ichi Ban first, Breakaway second and Vino third.

In IRC Class 2 first race, Carrera pipped Magic Roundabout to first place by just over two minutes on corrected time, while Royal Thai Navy I came in third. In the second race Magic Roundabout took the bullet with Royal Thai Navy I second and Prosecco third. Following the cancellation yesterday of IRC Class 2´s second race, PRO Jerry Rollin got in a third race which saw Royal Thai Navy I finish first, Carrera second and Prosecco third. Overall standing have Carrera leading the class with Royal Thai Navy 1 second and Magic Roundabout third.

IRC Cruising Class completed one race today with Japanese entry Missy taking first, Amanda second and another Japanese entry, Millibella, finishing third. Overall standings have Amanda ahead by one point from Missy, with Constanza in third place.

The stronger winds are suiting the Ocean Multihulls with lots of speed, spray and hulls in the air seen around the course today. The class completed two races today with SEA Property taking first place in both. Cedar Swan showed consistency taking second in both while Freee Wheeler took third in the first and Zenith took third in the second race. Overall standings have SEA Property leading Cedar Swan by one point with Freee Wheeler third.

The one-design Platu Class continues to be extremely competitive with personal battles throughout the fleet taking place on the water. The first race today saw Ray Roberts skippering Wikki Quantum Racing take a few with him off the start line on opposite side of the course to the majority. After a tactical duel and close shadowing around the course from Magic Dragon, Ray and crew came out on top taking the win with Magic Dragon in second place. Despite having to execute a penalty turn, The Ferret stormed back through the fleet and finished third. In the second race, Wikki Quantum Racing got off to a flying start and lead the fleet around the course. After a late charge, Magic Dragon took second place with Naiad third. Overall standings for the Platu Coronation Cup have Wikki Quantum Racing leading, followed by The Ferret and Naiad in third. Reigning Platu Coronation Cup champion Scott Duncanson and his crew on The Ferret are facing tough competition from seasone pro Ray Robert and his crew on Wikki Quantum Racing.

On Race Areas 2 and 3, the smaller boats proved a handful in the stronger winds. After a bad start yesterday with a fifth place in race one, Damrongsak Vongtim/Kidsada Vongtim were back to their winning ways with two first today in Hobie 16 class. They lead the class from Bob Enguirda/Danai Sila in second and Rod Waterhouse/Kerry Waterhouse in third.

Hobie Tigers also completed two races today with Aroon Ruangjahong/Narongrit Beakeaw taking first in both. They now lead the class with Ricard Eyre/Dave Littlejohn second and Stefaan de Vos/Apple in third.

Navee Thamsoomtorn continues his winning ways on his 420 in the Monohull Dinghy class – a clean sheet of five wins out of five races so far – and is leading the class. Second overall is Benjamas Poonpat sailing a 420 and Keerati Bualong sailing a Laser Radial in third.

Noppakao Poonpat continued her winning ways today in the Optimist class and leads the challenge for the Thailand National Optimist Cup from Thancharin Narbonne and Kwankeat Peawpong in second and third respectively.

The fleets are expecting to race long courses tomorrow, conditions depending. In the meantime, Royal Varuna Yacht Club are hosting an informal party at their club for any participants that want to join.


Daily race reports, news and photos will be posted online at www.topofthegulfregatta.com/news/news.html.