Singapore Straits returns to Singapore

by AsianYachting.com on 27 Jan 2012 For the past two years the entire regatta has been held at Nongsa Point Marina Resort in Batam, Indonesia. After serious discussions took place amongst the yacht clubs and marina stakeholders earlier this year, it was decided to expand the number of organisations taking part and bring the first two days of racing and social activities back to Singapore. Although this move may have aggravated some sailors it has helped organisers, sponsors and spectators alike, to get a return on their investment and see sailors participate on their home waters before the fleet disappear over to Batam. This edition is organised by the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club and hosted by ONE°15 Marina Club on Sentosa Island and Nongsa Point Marina Resort in Batam.

The programme gets underway with the Regatta Briefing and Official Opening Party at the RSYC tonight. Racing kicks off tomorrow with two days of competition along Singapore's East Coast Beach and prize giving at ONE°15 Marina Club, before the yachts head over to Batam for the final two days of racing and social activities at Nongsa Point Marina.

The renewal of interest has attracted 27 yachts divided into five classes. The absence of top racers has produced an interesting array of yachts in the IRC A class. They range from Kenn Eyears / Rick Overton's Farr 30 Rock 'N' Rolla to Hellmut Schutte's Beneteau First 45 Aquavit 5. The ever increasing 40 to 45 foot class has expanded the fleet at recent regattas and produced close and exciting racing at these events. Last year Sarab Jeet Singh's Sydney 40MOD Windsikher and Rick Pointon's J130 Jing Jing engaged in an almighty struggle, with Singh's Windsikher eventually coming out on top. However Pointon's Jing Jing arrives hot from winning in Langkawi a couple weeks ago. Newcomers Jon Cray brings some pedigree with his Swan 42 Seabass and Steven Manning's Sydney GTS 43 Walawala preformed with distinction on their debut with second overall at the King's Cup. Keeping them all honest will be Brent Morgans' Archambault 35 Men at Work and Chris Furness / Guz Wilkinson's Elan 410 Rikki Tikki Tavi that have won before in mixed company and if the conditions suite will exert extra pressure on the top contenders.

A highlight of the PY Class is the participation of past SingaporeSailing presidents. Two teams led by Peter Lim, a former Singapore Yachting Association president and current SingaporeSailing advisor, and Dr Ben Tan, current SingaporeSailing president are racing onboard the former president of the Singapore Yachting Association Ng Ser Miang's Swan 55 Magic Dragon 2 and Changi Sailing Club's Commodore Anthony Lim's Leopard 40 Annette. As their sailing heyday dates back to the 1970s their crews will comprise of current and former national sailors. However they won't have it all their own way, and will have to overcome Desmond Seah's Oslon 911 Arbudhen, Chris Nunns Cheoy Lee 40 Velera Linda and Leslie Fung's Hanse 315 Todak before they can take the trophy home and earn bragging rights for the rest of the year.

This event also marks the conclusion of the three nations S.E.A. Perpetual Cup Series (lowest points score from Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta, Phuket King’s Cup and Singapore Straits Regatta) where the Racing Class winner is awarded the Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy.

More info can be found at http://www.straitsregatta.com