Samui Regatta 2026 - Day 3: Where the bl**dy hell are you?
by Scott Murray 28 May 02:27 PDT
24-30 May 2026
As competitors made their way to the first race start, both the water and wind went flat. There was fear that sailors would bake under the midday sun.
The start area was relocated around the Southern Chaweng Headland as the wind began to build, allowing the race committee to set a coastal course south of the island. Teams rounded mark 4 (Lamai) to port, then Hin Ang Wang to port. They passed through the safety gate, leaving the cardinal mark to port, and returned to the finish line.
Iolanthe 3 had trouble navigating the area around the reef because they couldn't judge the water's depth. They decided to withdraw from the race, turn around, and retrace their course along the island's south. However, they did not inform the rest of the fleet. The others only found out when the Mark Boat asked their location and learned they had retired.
By this time, Alive, Team Hollywood, and Aftershock had returned to the starting area. They prepared for a 7-mile one-lap windward-leeward course in testing conditions. It would have taken Iolanthe 3 about an hour to return to the start. So, the decision was made to start the second race without them and to award them an FPA finishing position.
In the first race, Alive again grabbed line honours (01:22:16). But after corrected time was factored in, they finished 7.5 minutes behind Team Hollywood and 5 minutes ahead of Aftershock.
In the second race, Alive captured their fifth straight line honours. Team Hollywood spotted a major wind shift and gybed to finish at speed, winning on corrected time. Team Hollywood finished two-and-a-half minutes ahead of Aftershock, who celebrated a second-place finish ahead of Alive.
After three days, five races, and one drop, Team Hollywood leads the 23rd Samui Regatta with 4 points. Alive has 7 points, Aftershock 12, and Iolanthe 14.
Sailors then rushed back to the Nora Beach Resort. The resort had graciously set up special TV screens and opened the bar so Australians could watch the "State of Origin" Australian football match at 17.00.
Once the game was over, daily prizes were presented by Bangkok Hospital Samui, followed by a mass exodus of sailors disappearing to sample the delights of Samui nightlife, as Thursday will be a lay-day.
Racing resumes on Friday with two races scheduled. There will be a final race on Saturday to decide the regatta, with the closing party at The Fair House Beach Resort & Hotel.
For more information on taking part in the Samui Regatta or to register, visit the regatta's website at www.samuiregatta.com. For updates, check Facebook:www.facebook.com/SamuiRegatta.