Sawadee.com Regatta Samui 2010: May 31st - June 5th
Press Release: June 3rd 2009 - 3rd Day of the Sawadee.com Regatta 09 - FULL REPORT
Champagne Sailing Conditions at the Sawadee.com Regatta, Samui, as Hi-Fi Extends Her Lead.
Koh Samui, Thailand. June 3, 2009 – Again the wind blew strong as the crews headed out to sea for the third day of competition in the Sawadee.com Regatta. They say things come in ‘threes’ and this certainly sung true for Neil Pryde and the crew of Hi-Fi – who made it three wins in a row, taking top spot in both Racing Class races today.
The South Westerly tradewind has set in with a vengeance producing champagne sailing conditions and huge thrills for crews. After a short two lap windward/leeward race, the Racing Class and Multihull's joined the rest of the classes, that set off earlier on a passage race to the islands South of Samui and back. The conditions are so good that Race Director Simon James is considering sending the Racing Class around the island of Samui on Friday, if the wind stays in. This would be the first time it has been attempted and will certainly go into the record books. Fingers crossed!
After further alterations last year to Neil Pryde's Welbourne 52 Hi-Fi, they have been on fire and virtually unstoppable. The crew also responded to the boats new found speed and performed faultless maneuvers that others would not even attempt. By winning the windward/leeward and passage races today, they show the extent at which they have progressed in both disciplines and have gone a long way towards wrapping up this regatta. The battle seems to be for second place as there has been a lot of jumbling up and down the order between Ray Roberts DK46 Quantum Racing, Matt Allen's Beneteau First 44.7 Ichi Ban, Bill Bremner/Andy Cocks owned TP52 Foxy Lady IV, Sam Chan's TP52 Ffreefire 52 and the Fred Kinmonth/Nick Burns owned Mills 51 Fortis Mandrake are fighting over the remaining podium places. As per usual Frank Pong's R/P 75 Boracay led the way around the course but could not establish enough separation to convert it into a handicap victory. Fourth and second places today for Boracay see them join the race for podium places and as the drop race is introduced today, the point score has narrowed and all these boats are still in with a chance.
As the Premier Cruising skippers voiced their displeasure about doing windward/leeward races when the wind is so conducive to passage racing, PRO Ross Chisholm changed his call to accommodate their wishes. All fired up after yesterdays Line Honours win, Dr Ian Nicholson's crew on his Dubois 80 Intrigue pulled of a masterstroke today by taking out first and fastest. Peter Churchhouse's Warwick 64 Moonblue 2 is regaining the form of past years with second place today and climbing back into contention for a podium position. Third place for Marcel Leits Beneteau 50 Blauwvoet has them securing top spot in the overall stakes and if they keep scoring podium places, may be hard to topple.
In the IRC/Sportsboat Class it was Ken Eyears Oracle 32 Waka Tere’s turn to post a win. Although there are only four boats in this class, the corrected times have been extremely close and the top three boats have shared the wins. Jeff Davison's Mumm 30 Panic slotted into second place and takes a slim one-point lead in the overall point score. After yesterdays swashbuckling win, Kipsan Beck's crew on his Shaw 6.5 Pornstar are complaining of sore muscles and weary bodies, but after several massages they still managed third place and are only a couple of points away from the overall lead.
Fergus Wilmer and Henry Kaye have had a steep learning curve on their Seacart 30 Thor but as the regatta continues they just keep getting better and better. Two wins today has them catapulting to the top of the leader board. Second place for Radab Kanjanavanit's F9-A Cedar Swan has them closing in on second overall. Third place for Peter Dyer's Firefly 850 SEA Property sees them hand over the lead to Thor but with only a few points separating the podium places this class is still open for the taking - that is if they can keep up with Thor.
In the Bareboat Charter Class the Aussie charge led by Andrew Short's Oceanis 461 Constanza added a further win to their tally, making it four out of four. They seem to point ten degrees higher and are that much quicker than the other boats. Hong Kong's Chin Yew Seah on the Sunsail 39 Bussakorn is on a roll, scoring another second place to take over second overall. John Stall's Sunsail OC361 Perigot, with the Samui youth sailors onboard, sailed into third place and Aussie Howard Blowes Sunsail 43 Milliebella ran into some difficulties for the second day running and was again forced to retire.
Thor Skipper, Henry Kaye, was in a jubilant mood with his first placing in both Multihull Class races today: “Thor is a very fast boat and this was her first regatta since arriving in Asia on the 15th May. We assembled the boat, took her out on the water on the 17th May, disassembled her and brought her over from Phuket to Koh Samui for the Sawadee.com Regatta. We got the boat up to 24.5 knots today by sailing on one hull - which gave us an extra 3 or 4 knots for sure. Having only sailed Thor for a total of 6 hours, we were eagerly anticipating racing her – and have not been disappointed”. Although Thor is new to Henry Kaye, Henry is certainly not new to sailing. He first sailed at seven years old, and sixty-five years later is still teaching those half his age a thing or two about the sport.
Three full days of competitive racing makes for very happy crews, a fact supported by Samui based Frankie Brancaccio, General Manager of the Sawadee.com Regatta: “As a tropical island regatta, this event has grown year on year. I was at the first regatta here eight years ago and have seen skippers and crews coming back annually to enjoy the challenging sailing and great conditions – not forgetting the fantastic nightlife. Throughout the year we see many of the crews returning to enjoy a vacation and to spend time with their families – which is one of several ways that tourism in Koh Samui benefits from the island’s connection with this growing international sporting and lifestyle event”.
Nikki Beach Club, famous for its fabulous parties, welcomed the crews and skippers to an evening reception tonight. Tomorrow (4th June) is a racing lay day, with skippers, crews and spectators expected to turn out to support the second running of the ‘Samui Junior Sailing Squadron Challenge’ – an event which gives island children the chance to compete in their very own regatta.
Ends/
For additional Sawadee.com Media Updates, please see: www.samuiregatta.com
High-resolution images are available at: www.flickr.com/photos/sawadee-com-regatta-2009-samui/
Excerpts in this press release are re-produced with thanks to ‘Asian Yachting’ (http://asianyachting.com)
Media Contacts:
Citrus Public Relations:
Ian Grundy
ian.grundy@citrus-pr.com
Tel: +65 83226890
Nicholas Ferguson
nicholas.ferguson@citrus-pr.com
Tel: +65 94520613
About the Sawadee.com Regatta 2009, Samui
The Sawadee.com Regatta 2009, Samui, is an annual event that takes place on the beautiful Thai island of Koh Samui. Now in its eighth year, this ‘Tropical Island Regatta’ has become one of the main events on the Asian sailing circuit and attracts an international fleet.
Along with title sponsor Sawadee.com, co-partners are Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui, Dunlopillo and Singha – supported by Event Partners: Samui Villas & Homes, Dhevatara Properties, Nikki Beach Samui, The Moorings, Central Wine Cellar, Samui Emerald Condominiums, Thai Rent a Car, Seatran Discovery and T.A.T.
For further details see www.samuiregatta.com
Koh Samui, Thailand. June 3, 2009 – Again the wind blew strong as the crews headed out to sea for the third day of competition in the Sawadee.com Regatta. They say things come in ‘threes’ and this certainly sung true for Neil Pryde and the crew of Hi-Fi – who made it three wins in a row, taking top spot in both Racing Class races today.
The South Westerly tradewind has set in with a vengeance producing champagne sailing conditions and huge thrills for crews. After a short two lap windward/leeward race, the Racing Class and Multihull's joined the rest of the classes, that set off earlier on a passage race to the islands South of Samui and back. The conditions are so good that Race Director Simon James is considering sending the Racing Class around the island of Samui on Friday, if the wind stays in. This would be the first time it has been attempted and will certainly go into the record books. Fingers crossed!
After further alterations last year to Neil Pryde's Welbourne 52 Hi-Fi, they have been on fire and virtually unstoppable. The crew also responded to the boats new found speed and performed faultless maneuvers that others would not even attempt. By winning the windward/leeward and passage races today, they show the extent at which they have progressed in both disciplines and have gone a long way towards wrapping up this regatta. The battle seems to be for second place as there has been a lot of jumbling up and down the order between Ray Roberts DK46 Quantum Racing, Matt Allen's Beneteau First 44.7 Ichi Ban, Bill Bremner/Andy Cocks owned TP52 Foxy Lady IV, Sam Chan's TP52 Ffreefire 52 and the Fred Kinmonth/Nick Burns owned Mills 51 Fortis Mandrake are fighting over the remaining podium places. As per usual Frank Pong's R/P 75 Boracay led the way around the course but could not establish enough separation to convert it into a handicap victory. Fourth and second places today for Boracay see them join the race for podium places and as the drop race is introduced today, the point score has narrowed and all these boats are still in with a chance.
As the Premier Cruising skippers voiced their displeasure about doing windward/leeward races when the wind is so conducive to passage racing, PRO Ross Chisholm changed his call to accommodate their wishes. All fired up after yesterdays Line Honours win, Dr Ian Nicholson's crew on his Dubois 80 Intrigue pulled of a masterstroke today by taking out first and fastest. Peter Churchhouse's Warwick 64 Moonblue 2 is regaining the form of past years with second place today and climbing back into contention for a podium position. Third place for Marcel Leits Beneteau 50 Blauwvoet has them securing top spot in the overall stakes and if they keep scoring podium places, may be hard to topple.
In the IRC/Sportsboat Class it was Ken Eyears Oracle 32 Waka Tere’s turn to post a win. Although there are only four boats in this class, the corrected times have been extremely close and the top three boats have shared the wins. Jeff Davison's Mumm 30 Panic slotted into second place and takes a slim one-point lead in the overall point score. After yesterdays swashbuckling win, Kipsan Beck's crew on his Shaw 6.5 Pornstar are complaining of sore muscles and weary bodies, but after several massages they still managed third place and are only a couple of points away from the overall lead.
Fergus Wilmer and Henry Kaye have had a steep learning curve on their Seacart 30 Thor but as the regatta continues they just keep getting better and better. Two wins today has them catapulting to the top of the leader board. Second place for Radab Kanjanavanit's F9-A Cedar Swan has them closing in on second overall. Third place for Peter Dyer's Firefly 850 SEA Property sees them hand over the lead to Thor but with only a few points separating the podium places this class is still open for the taking - that is if they can keep up with Thor.
In the Bareboat Charter Class the Aussie charge led by Andrew Short's Oceanis 461 Constanza added a further win to their tally, making it four out of four. They seem to point ten degrees higher and are that much quicker than the other boats. Hong Kong's Chin Yew Seah on the Sunsail 39 Bussakorn is on a roll, scoring another second place to take over second overall. John Stall's Sunsail OC361 Perigot, with the Samui youth sailors onboard, sailed into third place and Aussie Howard Blowes Sunsail 43 Milliebella ran into some difficulties for the second day running and was again forced to retire.
Thor Skipper, Henry Kaye, was in a jubilant mood with his first placing in both Multihull Class races today: “Thor is a very fast boat and this was her first regatta since arriving in Asia on the 15th May. We assembled the boat, took her out on the water on the 17th May, disassembled her and brought her over from Phuket to Koh Samui for the Sawadee.com Regatta. We got the boat up to 24.5 knots today by sailing on one hull - which gave us an extra 3 or 4 knots for sure. Having only sailed Thor for a total of 6 hours, we were eagerly anticipating racing her – and have not been disappointed”. Although Thor is new to Henry Kaye, Henry is certainly not new to sailing. He first sailed at seven years old, and sixty-five years later is still teaching those half his age a thing or two about the sport.
Three full days of competitive racing makes for very happy crews, a fact supported by Samui based Frankie Brancaccio, General Manager of the Sawadee.com Regatta: “As a tropical island regatta, this event has grown year on year. I was at the first regatta here eight years ago and have seen skippers and crews coming back annually to enjoy the challenging sailing and great conditions – not forgetting the fantastic nightlife. Throughout the year we see many of the crews returning to enjoy a vacation and to spend time with their families – which is one of several ways that tourism in Koh Samui benefits from the island’s connection with this growing international sporting and lifestyle event”.
Nikki Beach Club, famous for its fabulous parties, welcomed the crews and skippers to an evening reception tonight. Tomorrow (4th June) is a racing lay day, with skippers, crews and spectators expected to turn out to support the second running of the ‘Samui Junior Sailing Squadron Challenge’ – an event which gives island children the chance to compete in their very own regatta.
Ends/
For additional Sawadee.com Media Updates, please see: www.samuiregatta.com
High-resolution images are available at: www.flickr.com/photos/sawadee-com-regatta-2009-samui/
Excerpts in this press release are re-produced with thanks to ‘Asian Yachting’ (http://asianyachting.com)
Media Contacts:
Citrus Public Relations:
Ian Grundy
ian.grundy@citrus-pr.com
Tel: +65 83226890
Nicholas Ferguson
nicholas.ferguson@citrus-pr.com
Tel: +65 94520613
About the Sawadee.com Regatta 2009, Samui
The Sawadee.com Regatta 2009, Samui, is an annual event that takes place on the beautiful Thai island of Koh Samui. Now in its eighth year, this ‘Tropical Island Regatta’ has become one of the main events on the Asian sailing circuit and attracts an international fleet.
Along with title sponsor Sawadee.com, co-partners are Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui, Dunlopillo and Singha – supported by Event Partners: Samui Villas & Homes, Dhevatara Properties, Nikki Beach Samui, The Moorings, Central Wine Cellar, Samui Emerald Condominiums, Thai Rent a Car, Seatran Discovery and T.A.T.
For further details see www.samuiregatta.com
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