Surprise win by Korean yacht in Arirang Race

by Kate Duncan, The Korea Times on 14 Jul 2009 Snark VII set off from the Suyeong Bay start line in Busan on May 2 at noon, where she raced and won against 35 yachts in a friendly competition between Japan and Korea.

The yacht, which was built in Holland and bought in France, crossed the line sixth on the day of the competition. However, the race held a big surprise for the sailors as, when the day after the race Jeong Hyun-jae and his crew were told that due to the handicap on the vessel under International Yacht Rules, they had in fact won the race.

Jeong, the yacht owner and skipper, entered Snark VII and his four crew members - Harald Keil, Simon Bonnett, Park Sung-gyu and Jo Hon-seong - into the competition which has been running every two years since 1973.

Other Korean competitors were quick to congratulate Snark VII, which arrived at the Busan marina last September, as this was the first time that a Korean yacht had won the race.

Keil praised Snark VII, saying, 'She’s so good!'

He said, 'The yacht was absolutely great for the five of us,' continuing that 'the trip was for pure pleasure though the highlight of the trip was of course winning!'
Weather conditions, as recounted by Simon Bonnett `were excellent, with sunshine and fairly steady winds.'

'The fleet set off from the Suyeong Bay start line on an easterly heading. The apparent wind was just right, at 20 to 25 knots, holding fairly steadily at 45 degrees from the required bearing; this made for a one tack course all the way to the northern tip of Tsushima.'

After the Snark’s return to Korea, celebrations continued from the marina to O’Kims pub in the Westin Chosun Hotel at Haeundae, where family and friends joined the weathered champions in a champagne party that lasted the rest of the afternoon.

The trophy will now live at O’Kims, where the sailors can reflect on their victory, which will hopefully be one of many for the Snark VII, the key yacht in O'Kim's Yachting Association.