Return of the Coronation Cup

Coronation Cup, OMYC Jomtien © Guy Kennard

Restoring the tradition of Platu racing over the Labour Day holiday and Coronation Day, which celebrates Wan Chatra Mongkol, the coronation of King Maha Vajiralongkorn on 4th May, with four days of racing from May 2-5 hosted by Ocean Marina Jomtien.

Attending this round were regular international competitors, along with solid local teams and a local youth team boasting serious developing talent within the Olympic Classes. Unfortunately, our friends from Myanmar understandably had to cancel. Apologies also from two yacht clubs in Taiwan and some Aussie teams that had to defer until the July regatta.

Day 1 An early thunderstorm killed a building breeze, so the teams waited with AP ashore for almost two hours before PRO Thammasak lowered the AP and called the racers to the course. Racing got underway at 13.00 in a patchy 6kts of offshore breeze, with shifts of up to 35°. The lead changed multiple times both upwind and downwind, with almost every boat leading at some point or other. Reading the wind across the entire course and staying in the veins paying big dividends.

Only 1 race completed, with the breeze completely shutting down moments after the last boat finished. BBQ and beers were provided by Ocean Marina Jomtien, allowing the teams to have a relaxing catch up after racing.

Day 2 A big shout out to Thammasak Meeyousamsen, Race Officer at Ocean Marina Jomtien, for persisting with difficult conditions and getting four races completed. Another light day in the wet season, with the rain and clouds providing relief from the heat and humidity.

Platu 117 Stingray, kindly provided by the Whitcraft family, with Naoki Ichino helming, had a great day of 2, 4, 1, 1 and coming out as 'boat of the day'. They showed great upwind speed with their borrowed sails, so look out when their new sails arrive in time for the July regatta! Young local sailor Henry Weidman did a great job putting a team together at short notice, calling in his father Christian to assist the youth team on the weekend.

Coronation Cup, OMYC Jomtien - photo © Guy Kennard

The always-competitive Rolf Heemskerk came out of the blocks quickly but a couple of less than ideal results slowed his charge. At the end of the day Team Viewpoint was sitting in equal first overall with Team Stingray after a discard. First time Platu racer Mike Ritchie is helming Easy Tiger for Round 2. Mike is showing great adaptability, coming from a recent background of asymmetric spinnaker boats, and sitting just one point behind the leaders.

Nathan Masopust, sailing the ever improving 122 Le Vent, is also close on points, finding himself leading a few times but getting caught on the wrong side of a couple of shifts. Colin Simonds sailing the newly upgraded 121, also found himself leading races, only to have it cruelly taken away in the variable conditions. Still quite close overall and anything can happen.

Short video here - www.facebook.com/share/v/1CdWZzoQm9

Day 3 - No wind in the race area. Racing abandoned.

Day 4 The final day of racing saw an hour's delay ashore before the breeze settled in from 200° at 8-10knts.

PRO Thammasak managed to get five races in, with 10 total races completed in the series, allowing the second drop race to come into play. Racing was extremely tight, with a slightly shorter race course for the first two races, and again multiple lead changes and race winners.

All of the competitors came ashore very excited by the level of competition that is improving with every series. Congratulations go to Rolf Heemskerk's team on 154 The Next Factor, taking the win for round 2, followed closely by 027 Easy Tiger with Nathan Masopust's 122 Le Vent finishing on a high and leaping into 3rd. Collin Simonds had a consistent day but finished just a point off the podium, and the Youth Team were another point adrift after a helm change caused them to lose their rhythm.

Coronation Cup, OMYC Jomtien - photo © Guy Kennard

Final Results were extremely close; 1st to 2nd separated by 2 points 3rd to 5th separated by 2 points

Thank you to all the teams for their participation and fair sailing on the water. We look forward to welcoming everyone back and some new teams and new boats for Round 3, 11-13 July.

Get in quick and send us an email at the address below if you would like a charter boat for the July regatta.

Reach out to Guy and Peter Email: platuthaiomj@gmail.com www.facebook.com/PlatuThaiOMJ

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