4th
Top of the Gulf Regatta 2008
AY
Race Report 4 & Summary
Follow all the action goto 2008 Photo Gallery Here...
Final
races, settles the score...
The blustery conditions experienced over the last few days, made way for
a light 6 to 8 knot South Westerly breeze and brilliant sunshine replaced
the gray overcast sky making it a photographers delight. Skippers where
keen to get going as results from today's races were crucial in determining
the overall outcome. Some were a little to keen and jumped the start,
while others had small incidents around the course which had the jury
working overtime so final results could be calculated and trophies awarded
at the afternoon presentation ceremony.
IRC
Racing
Despite Leray Pascal's Breakaway being recalled at the startline
and loosing precious time restarting they managed to work their way back
through the fleet to take second place in front of their arch rival David
Bell's Magic Roundabout. After playing second fiddle to the leaders
all regatta Singapore's Wildon Goh and the SMU Team on Hi Jinks
finally took first place in Race Six. We spoke earlier about Leray Pascal's
Breakaway needing an extra knot to have any chance but as it
turned out it was David Bell's Magic Roundabout that slowed down
in the lighter winds to allow Leray Pascal's Breakaway to win
the final race and run away with the overall first prize. Although they
put in a gallant effort to win race six Wildon Goh's Hi Jinks
had to settle on third place overall by the end of the day.
Platu
One Design - Coronation Cup
Coming into the final day several boats had a chance of winning the coveted
Coronation Cup title. A cat and mouse game ensued during the pre-start
and covering tactics played a big part up the first beat. As spinnakers
where hoisted the familiar Raimon Land "The Lofts"
was first up and it was highly unlikely that from here on in Scott Duncanson
would surrender the lead. Hot on there tail defending champion Wiwat Poonpat
on Naiad where determined they are not going to give up easily.
However closing in on the finish Kevin Scott's Ferret "The Lofts"
sailing some hot angles clinched the race and as Naiad dropped
back to fifth they handed the overall title over to Ferret "The
Lofts". In the final race Wiwat Poonpat's crew on Naiad
put in a brave effort to take first place but the damage had already been
done. Fourth place for Kevin Scott's Ferret "The Lofts"
helmed by Scott Duncanson was enough to take the title. A mixed bag of
results for Andy Whitbolirne's Gulf Charters had them leading
the regatta in the early stages but dropped down the order towards the
end and just managed to cling onto third place overall.
Multihulls
Close jockeying around
during the pre-start saw the eleven multihulls hitting the line almost
in unison. Simultaneously as the recall signal sounded the radio crackled
that two boats where over the line. Bob Garner's Blade Runner
and Mark Pescott's overall leader Sea Property cut their way
out of the pack and made there way back to the start line. All eyes at
both ends of the line looked on as they returned but amazingly Sea
Property did not completely exonerate themselves or respond to a
further radio call that one boat was still On the Coarse Side. They had
run their race and left the way open for other competitors to take the
title. Olaf Reese's trimaran Voodo Dolls took the honours in
race six but as Krirati Assakul's catamaran Sonic claimed second
place and has finished all races in the top three, saw them rise to the
top of the table. To add insult onto injury Krirati Assakul's heavy displacement
Sonic went on to win the last race and the overall class title
in front of the lighter and quicker opposition. Khun Chaiek's Zenith
helmed by Henry Kaye has been nipping on the heels of the leaders all
regatta and two third places today sees them finish up in second overall.
After their earlier demise Mark Pescott's Sea Property could
only salvage third spot despite being the fastest boat on the water.
Cruising
After a bad start Alvin Ong's SMU Team from Singapore on Amanda
have scored three wins in a row. Today was no different and with an additional
1, 2 score line secured first overall and became popular winners of the
coveted title. Weera Leksomboon's Fun Wes is one of the smallest
boats in the fleet and did one better than yesterdays second place to
triumph in the final race. Never far from the lead the Gulf Charters Team
on Contenza hung on in to secure second overall. Looking very
distinguished with yellow sails Testsuo Ogino's Melissa started
of with a win but as the series wore on fell of the pace to end up in
third overall.
Sportsboat
Since withdrawing from
the first two races Kipsan Beck's Pornstar has held it all together
and scored five wins on the trot to go to the top of the leaderboard.
Although it seems Ian Day's Team Simpson Marine was completely
outclassed, they have overcame a steep learning curve and kept Pornstar
honest in a two horse race.
National Optimist
Championships
Nuppakao Poonpat from the Junior Sailing Squadron of Thailand kept up
her top performances to triumph in front of 125 mixed competitors. The
National Championships trophy stands almost as big as her and judging
by the applause she received at the prize presentation, young Nuppakao
has become the pride of the nation. Winning sailing championships must
run in the family as her older sister Benjamas (nicknamed Nhueng) won
consecutive titles before she got to old for the class.
Summary
Being a combined event with anything from Optimists to ocean going yachts
makes the TOTGR very unique amongst Asian regattas and certainly one of
the biggest in the region. It also gives the young kids a chance to mix
with adults and an excellent opportunity to see the bigger picture of
what the sport has to offer. An interesting story was relayed to me from
the protest room, about two Optimist sailors putting forward their side
of the incident and honestly answering questions plus how the International
jury avoided intimidating them while conducting the hearing. It's a pity
it could not be videoed and posted on U-Tube as it could serve as a good
reminder to seasoned sailors on how to behave politely and not let egos
get in the way of the facts. A bit like the reverse psychology used by
the John Gleese management videos to solve simple every day situations.
Although Ocean Marina maybe off the beaten path for International yachts and the TOTGR considered difficult to fit into an already full racing time table, any sailors looking for top class racing with excellent Thai hospitality and social life thrown in, should mark early May in the diary and make every effort to attend this annual yachting bonanza that caters for all comers.
More detailed info and results will be posted at: http://www.topofthegulfregatta.com
Goto 2008 Photo Gallery Here...
Things have settled down some what after yesterdays agonizing long evening
in the protest room. The international jury led by ISAF rules expert and
last years America's Cup Jury Chairman Brian Willis (Remember Him?) ruled
that the race committee where not at fault and boats that went to the
wrong mark in the Platu and Cruising Classes must either retire or be
disqualified if they have not done so already. This puts a different spin
on the overall results and as promised today's report takes into account
the race four and five results and how they have affected the overall
standings.
Platu
One Design
Multihulls
Cruising
First place for Kipsan Beck's Pornstar makes it three on the
trot since the disastrous first day when the mainsail came tumbling down.
Ian Day's Team Simpson Marine has had to play second fiddle since
Pornstar's return but despite all that has gone on share equal
points to be tied at the top of the two boat class. Tomorrows final races
will be the decider on who takes home the silverware.
Drama
on the high seas...
IRC
Racing
Platu
One Design
Multihulls
Only
one race, a simple 8nm beat out to sea and run back via a few islands
was scheduled for the cruisers. Even then some made a hash of it by mistakenly
rounding the wrong windward mark, then proceeding onto the islands and
returning to the finish. As no race official witnessed this incident it
was left up to the individual boats to either withdraw or be protested
by the competitors that completed the correct course. The busy protest
committee have decided to open the hearing tomorrow morning before the
boats head out for Race Four.
Sportsboat
Over 170
boats in four classes hit the water in Optimists, Beach Catamarans, Super
Mott and 420 Dinghies. Malaysian sailors Nik Ashrhf Qhedi on a catamaran,
Ku Anas and G. Kuzamil on a 420 did the best of the International teams
represented here to finish on the podium. A young Thai girl Nuppakao Poonpat
is a rising star to take the lead in the National Optimist Championship
in front of 126 other competitors.
And
they are off, faster than a Thai girls nightie...
IRC
Racing
The
hotly contested Coronation Cup saw the provisional race one winner disqualified
over a port/starboard incident, which opened up a flood of different place
getters to fill the podium places. Nick Henley's The Weasel came
out on top for race one and popular Thai skipper Jaray Tipsuk on Pine-Pacific
scored second place but did not finish race two. Andy Whitbolirne's Gulf
Charters third place plus a resounding first place in race two has
them posted as overnight class leaders going into the second day of racing.
Kevin Scott's Ferret "The Loft" named after the regattas
main sponsor, Raimon Land climbed back into contention with second place
in race two as did the co-owned Jakobsen/Semple Emma Mathilde XX
with third place to keep them in the early running.
Multihulls
Cruising
Sportsboat
TOTGR
Welcomes all sailors...
The
annual