3rd Evason Phuket Race Week opens

by Alan Parkhouse / Sail World Asia on 28 Jul 2006 Good winds of up to 20 knots gave the third annual Evason Phuket Raceweek a
great start as the first day’s racing got underway off the southern tip of Phuket
today. 31 boats, a record number for the regatta, started today in
almost perfect sailing conditions - 15 knots of breeze gusting 20 for a few heady moments.

Seven classes of boats are racing this year, from the keelboats in the IRC 1 division to 100-year-old Seraph in the Classic Class. Results for the first day's racing in the hotly contested sportsboat class is still in dispute over handicap ratings, but this should be sorted out tomorrow after consultation with international sailing authorities.

Conditions were perfect for Thailand-based skipper David Lindahl on the Swan 42 La Samudra, and he showed that 'local knowledge counts' when he helmed the boat into first place in the opening race in the IRC 1 division. 'We like a bit of a blow,' he said, echoing sentiments expressed after heavy air racing at last year's Phuket Race Week. 'We'd like some more tomorrow, please!'

Ruby Tuesday took Line Honours in both of today's races, and in the first race quickly stepped out to a substantial lead. 'Several boats in our division went round the top mark of the Sportsboats' windward-leeward course before bearing away to Koh Bon. We didn't. Reading the course in the Sailing Instructions was a good call' said Vause. But it wasn't enough to hold off La Samudra when the handicaps were applied. Lindahl took the morning race, but John Vause (Ruby Tuesday) turned the tables in the afternoon, leaving the two boats on level points at the end of the day. Beaux Esprits (formerly Monsoon, formerly Xiabu Xiabu V) picked up the two third places.

It was a similar story in the IRC 2 division, with Mick Keely's X-342 Minx - last year’s IRC 2 winner - trading places with Stuart Crow's Cinders (Beneteau First 28.5) for a pair of 1-2, 2-1 finishes.

The talk of the regatta is the pair of Firefly catamarans designed and built here in Phuket. Two Fireflys - Moto Inzi and Chi Machine (Club Med) - are taking part in this year’s Race Week. It was neck-and-neck all the way round the race course in the opening race, with Moto Inzi rolling home on a puff to take Line Honours by less than a second. Chi Machine was first home in the second race, but took both first places on handicap. 'She's just a few pounds heavier than Moto Inzi,' said owner Marc Cudennec. Having designer Mark Pescott on board probably didn't do any harm either, nor Warwick Downes from Hong Kong. John Stall’s catamaran Charro was relegated to third place in both races.

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The Classic Class – featuring boats which are better known for their comfort than speed - sailed one race today, with Kerida taking the honours from Sanook, and Seraph finishing a credible third. Seraph's birthday motto is 'Celebrating 100 Years Afloat' and owner Tom Howard was well pleased with the day's excursion round the islands. 'Warm winds, cold beers, and a beautiful centenarian lady... what more could a sailor want?' he asked afterwards.

More good breeze is forecast for Friday's racing in 'the off-season regatta, when the wind blows'.