The Lofts Southshore Wins Thai Platu Open 2008

Over 120 sailors enjoyed 2 days of racing on March 8-9 for the Platu Open 08, the first event of a 5 regatta championship series taking place this year. At the same time other classes continued with the Gulf Charter Race Series series from Ocean Marina in Jomtien, where competitors experienced a variety of wind conditions. Day 1 provided thrills and spills as a rain storm passed over the course around midday, with winds gusting to 25 knots. On day 2, the south east sea breezes more typical of Pattaya peaked around 12 knots, with major shifts and oscillations rewarding tactically smart boats.

The Platu is a 25 foot keelboat designed for Thai waters by famed Kiwi designer Bruce Farr. As Asia's largest one design keelboat fleet, 13 boats lined up to start with skippers and crews from Thailand, Australia, Malaysia and Singapore. Sportboats joined the Platu's and completed 7 short courses, while larger boats held two long distance races around the surrounding islands of Pattaya.

The race committee demanded strict compliance with Platu one design rules, many crews were seen fretting over sail measurement, safety equipment, boat weight and crew weights pre race. With a combined maximum crew weight of 400kg, some sailors skipped breakfast and worked up sweats boxing style to ensure their teams would come in under weight.

Day 1 provided relatively short windward leeward's for the Platu's as well as the sportboats. In race 1, Thai based Morten Jakobsen and Scott Duncanson got into their own private battle in the second upwind beat, opening the way for the Thai SEA Games team to take first blood in 6-8 knots of pressure. Rolf Heemskirk is based out of Kuala Lumpur, but is no stranger to Thai waters, as part of the Yo! program in Phuket. He and Lee Marine skippered by Marco Belonje were also was able to sneak past the duo, to capture 2nd and 3rd place respectively.

Racing was then postponed as keelboats, multi's and cruisers headed out to sea, and simultaneously, dark clouds moved swiftly from Bang Saray right through the start area, hitting the fleet with 20-25 knot winds and rain. While the OD Platu's waited for the AP to come down lowering their race sails, sportboats Shaw 650 Pornstar and the newly launched Thompson 590 Big Blue reveled in the conditions, showcasing why sportboats are becoming so popular in Asia.

Race 2 started in 12-16 knots and a major shift in the breeze to the right. While many of the Platu's targeted the boat end or port starts on a relatively short line, The Lofts Southshore started in the second row with less crowds, and then used local Thai tactician Weerasit's experience to pick shifts and currents while maintaining boat speed. Taking no chances, Scott Duncanson's The Lofts Southshore Team pushed hard and controlled the race from there. Rolf Heemskirk managed another 2nd place, and Thai team Naiad continued their good form with 3rd. 

Race 3 winds dropped to under 10 knots, and Duncanson again started well then held on for first, while Naiad and Heemskirk switched places. With major wind shifts and running out of time and light, the race committee took the AP down after 5pm for the final Platu and sportboat races. Almost immediately after the start, the light sub 5 knot breezes swung hard left again, continuing the typical lottery of conditions in the late afternoon around Jomtien. Boats starting at the port end of the line cashed in an instant lead, with Morten Jakobsen taking first place, newcomer Australian Ray Waldren on the Beaver with a well sailed 2nd and Duncanson managing to fight back to 3rd. 

At the end of day 1, this left the top 3 boats within a point or two of each other, with a slight gap to the chasing bunch of Jakobsen, Belonje and Waldren.

Day 2 started with light 5-8 knots conditions and sunny skies, but this time from the onshore south easterly direction, which usually means better weather and freshening sea breeze. The first race saw the usually composed Lofts Southshore crew blowing their start, from which they could not fight back. Jakobsen continued his charge to get first, with the consistent Malaysia based Heemskirk in 2nd and Belonje in 3rd.

Race 6 saw similar conditions, and this time Heemskirk was finally able to lock in a first place, beating Duncanson's team while Jokobsen wrapped up 3rd.  Naiad remained in touch on the points table with a 5th.

As conditions freshened to over 10 knots for the last race, the sportboats continued to start ahead of the Platu's and provided some early notice of more breeze on the course as Big Blue snapped their outhaul in the freshening conditions and retired, while Pornstar hung on to take the overall class win for the weekend.

With a must win situation and requiring Heemskirk to not finish 2nd, The Lofts Southshore knew they had to get first. Starting well and sailing well, they achieved their desired result of first. Heemskirk was a true sportsman, choosing to sail his own race rather than just try to block out Duncanson, but was unable to secure 2nd place, as the Thai team Naiad crept through. 

This left Duncanson and Heemskirk tied on 13 points after 1 discard, so a countback of wins was left to decide the winner of The Platu Open 2008. With 3 wins, The Lofts Southshore team of skipper Scott Duncanson, bowman 'Ferret' Kevin Scott, trimmers Trent Patterson and Jim Poulson and tactician Khun Weerasit Puangnak were crowned winners by the tightest of margins. 'I'm not sure we were the best boat out there, Rolf Heemskirk was more consistent than us' admitted Duncanson. 'He's a great sailor and competitor, so we look forward to racing him again in the Platu's later this year.'

With a 5 series championship, the Platu Open 2008 marks the start of Thailand's premier one design series. Next up is the Coronation Cup, a royally endorsed event held as part of the Top of the Gulf Regatta at Ocean Marina from May 1-5. 'We expect the full Thai Platu fleet of 17 boats at the Coronation Cup, and already have a waiting list now for charter boats,' explained enthused event organiser, possibly the world's oldest bowman at 60+ years and Thai Platu fleet captain Kevin Scott.

Top of the Gulf Regatta combines 2 days of dinghy and windsurf racing with the 4 day event for the larger fleet. Organisers expect significantly more boats than previous years, with 5 new Corsair trimarans launched in the last 6 months, 2 new sportboats and an expanded fleet of cruisers and keelers. All up Ocean Marina is preparing for over 400 boats in Thailand's largest regatta.

Racing in Pattaya area is run by OMYC Sailing, a non profit organization formed to promote keelboat and multi-hull sailing at Ocean Marina, Jomtien. They also encourage the development of future yacht racing in Thailand, by promoting the children's international Optimist Class of dinghies. Racing is held monthly, and is supported through sponsorship from Raimon Land, Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Gulf Charters, Bluewave Water Sports and Simpson Marine. Beginners and experienced sailors are welcome to join. For more information visit www.omycsailing.com

By Kipsan Beck - OMYC Publicity Officer

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