Winners are grinners, Koh Samui Regatta – wrap

by AsianYachting.com on 7 Jun 2009 Although there was a lull in proceedings yesterday, normal service was resumed today and two races saw the successful completion of the 8th Koh Samui Regatta and the 2008-09 Asian season. Several outstanding individual performances were rewarded by leading the overall class standings and although some classes had already been decided, others had it all to play for. Bright sunshine, blue sky and 8 to 10 knots of wind set the scene for the final showdown off Chaweng Beach.

Having dominated the racing class, Neil Pryde's Welbourne 52 Hi Fi's run of five wins in a row was broken when the Fred Kinmonth/Nick Burns-owned Mills 51 Fortis Mandrake claimed first place in Race 7 by a mere six seconds. Second place for Hi Fi gave them a run away overall win, and they did not have to compete on the final race. Always lurking in the wings, Ray Roberts' DK46 Quantum Racing claimed Race 8 to deliver them second overall from a tightly knit bunch of boats vying for the remaining podium places. Second place in Race 8 for Fortis Mandrake elevated them to third place overall and a just reward for pushing on during the regatta despite some mid fleet finishes. Matt Allen's Beneteau First 44.7 Ichi Ban ended up fourth and the Bill Bremner/Andy Cocks' TP52 Foxy Lady IV eventually got the better of Sam Chan's TP52 FfreeFire 52.

By winning this regatta Neil Pryde and Hi Fi have scored a record 20 points in the AsianYachting Grand Prix Championships. They have scored podium places in all eight regattas that they have contested this season. Five wins, two second places and one third place is worthy of being crowned the 2008-09 Skipper and Yacht of the Year. This is also the third time Neil has won the prestigious award over the eight years it has been contested. He has shown a remarkable ability to successfully run a racing campaign in Asian waters over the last 20 years and long may it continue.

Two wins in the IRC/Sportsboat class cemented Jeff Davison's Mumm 30 Panic!'s grip on the overall stakes, and they successfully defended last year's title. Ken Eyears' Oracle 32 Waka Tere applied a lot of pressure throughout the event but eventually had to settle on second overall. The conditions did not always suit Kipsan Beck's planing Shaw 6.5 Pornstar, and at the end of the day third overall was possibly the best result they could have wished for.

Only one race for the Premier Cruising class took them on a passage race to the south of Samui and back. Marcel Liedts' Beneteau 50 Blauwvoet regained their earlier form to claim first place and go on to take the overall title in front of the sometimes tricky and difficult opposition. Gary Baguley's Holman & Pye 52 El Coyote jumped up into second place today but some tail end results leaves them in fifth overall. Despite some up-and-down results, Peter Churchhouse's Warwick 64 Moonblue 2 managed to slot into second overall after finishing fourth today. Third place for Jon Wardill's Cassidy 55 Australian Maid sees them recover back third place on the podium after two mid-fleet finishes set them back in the title race.

In the Bareboat Charter Class, Aussie Andrew Short's Oceanis 461 Constanza kept a clean sheet with seven wins in a row. In the last few years they have completely dominated this class and it will take an extra special effort to take the title away from them. Second place today for John Stall's Sunsail OC361 Perigot will give the Samui youth sailors something to remember for the rest of their lives. Despite slipping to third place today, Hong Kong's Chin Yew Seah on the Sunsail 39 Bussakorn has ended up in second overall but will need to fit a turbocharger if they are to beat the Aussie's on Constanza. Howard Blowes Sunsail 43 Milliebella ended up in third overall despite recording two retirements mid way through the regatta.

After losing ground in the pointscore during yesterday's round the island race, Fergus Wilmer and Henry Kaye's Seacart 30 Thor rebounded with first and second places to race away with top spot on the podium. Third and first places for Radab Kanjanavanit's F9-A Cedar Swan has broken the second place tie in their favour and after a slow start to the regatta have steadily climbed up to second place overall. Second and third places for Peter Dyer's Firefly 850 SEA Property drops them to third overall after leading the event in the early stages. The tremendous performance of the Seacart 30 Thor should not deter the other multihull enthusiasts at other events as they have shown they are beatable but it will require a very determined effort to outsmart them.

Summary

Wow! What a difference a bit a wind of makes at a regatta! In past years this event has been plagued with little or no wind, and some lost days due to the light weather. This year, the first three days of racing saw the wind gusting to over 20 knots, and boats roaring around the courses. Unfortunately the predicted wind did not arrive for the round the island race which puts a sour taste in some competitors minds. The committee should be commended for attempting such an ambitious race, but provision should be made for gates at strategic points in the race so that shortening the course is possible and times can be taken back to the last mark. It is certainly worth trying if the weather is suitable. Samui is always a popular holiday destination and if you're looking for a memorable occasion, combine the regatta with a holiday and I'm sure it will provide a lengthy dinner table conversation for years to come.