Sawadee.com Regatta Samui 2010: May 31st - June 5th
Press Release: Day 5 & Summary, Sawadee.com Regatta - News & Results (7 June 2009)
Neil Pryde & The Crew Of ‘Hi-Fi’ Lift Both The Sawadee.com Regatta Racing Class & Asian Yachting Champion Skipper & Yacht Of The Year Trophies
‘Blauwvoet’, ‘Panic’, ‘Constanza’ & ‘Thor’ All Triumph In Their Classes As The ‘Tropical Island Regatta’ Concludes
Koh Samui, Thailand. June 7, 2009 – The Sawadee.com Regatta 09 drew to a close yesterday with an impressive Gala Dinner and Awards evening, following a week of great wind, exciting racing and fun-filled evening events. Neil Pryde and Hi-Fi, who started and finished the week strong, won the overall Racing Class, and made it a night to remember by also taking the 2008-09 ‘AsianYachting Champion Skipper and Yacht of the Year’ award back with them to Hong Kong.
On the final day of the regatta, several outstanding individual performances were rewarded by leading the overall class standings and although some classes had already been decided, others had it all to play for. Bright sunshine, blue sky and 8 to 10 knots of wind set the scene for the final showdown off Samui’s Chaweng Beach.
Having dominated the racing class, Neil Pryde's Welbourne 52 Hi-Fi run of five wins in a row was broken when the Fred Kinmonth/Nick Burns owned Mills 51 Fortis Mandrake claimed first place in Race 7 by a mere six seconds. Second place for Hi-Fi gave them a run away overall win and they did not have to compete in the final race. Always lurking in the wings, Ray Roberts’ DK46 Quantum Racing claimed Race 8 to deliver them second overall from a tightly knit bunch of boats vying for the remaining podium places. Second place in Race 8 for the Fred Kinmonth/Nick Burns owned Fortis Mandrake elevated them to third place overall and a just reward for pushing on during the regatta despite some mid fleet finishes. Matt Allen's Beneteau First 44.7 Ichi Ban ended up fourth and the Bill Bremner/Andy Cocks owned TP52 Foxy Lady IV eventually got the better of Sam Chan's TP52 Ffreefire 52.
By winning this regatta Neil Pryde and Hi-Fi have scored a record 20 points in the AsianYachting Grand Prix Championships. They have scored podium places in all eight regattas that they have contested this season. Five wins, two second places and one third place, is worthy of being crowned the 2008-09 Skipper and Yacht of the Year. This is also the third time Neil has won the prestigious award over the eight years that it has been contested – demonstrating a remarkable ability to successfully run a racing campaign in Asian waters over the last 20 years.
Two wins in the IRC/Sportsboat class, cemented Jeff Davison's Mumm 30 Panic grip on the overall stakes and successfully defended last years title. Ken Eyears Oracle 32 Waka Tere applied considerable pressure throughout the event but eventually had to settle on second overall. The conditions did not always suit Kipsan Beck's planning Shaw 6.5 Pornstar and at the end of the day third overall was possibly the best result they could of hoped for.
Only one race for the Premier Cruising class took them on a passage race to the south of Samui and back. Marcel Liedts Beneteau 50 Blauwvoet regained their earlier form to claim first place and go on to take the overall title in front of the sometimes tricky and difficult opposition. Gary Baguley's Holman & Pye 52 El Coyote jumped up into second place but some tail end results leaves them in fifth overall. Despite some up and down results, Peter Churchhouse's Warwick 64 Moonblue 2 managed to slot into second overall after finishing fourth in the final days racing. Third place for Jon Wardill's Cassidy 55 Australian Maid sees them recover back third place on the podium after two mid fleet finishes set them back in the title race.
In the Bareboat Charter Class, Andrew Short's Oceanis 461 Constanza, has kept a clean sheet with seven wins in a row. In the last few years they have completely dominated this class and an extra special effort will be needed to take the title away from the Aussies. Second place yesterday for John Stall's Sunsail OC361 Perigot will likely give Samui’s youth sailors something to remember for the rest of their lives. Despite slipping to third place yesterday, Hong Kong's Chin Yew Seah on the Sunsail 39 Bussakorn has ended up in second overall but will need to fit a ‘turbocharger’ if they are to beat Constanza. Howard Blowes Sunsail 43 Milliebella ended up in third overall despite recording two retirements mid way through the regatta.
After loosing ground in the pointscore during Fridays round the island race, Fergus Wilmer and Henry Kaye's Seacart 30 Thor rebounded with first and second places to race away with top spot on the podium. Third and first places for Radab Kanjanavanit's F9-A Cedar Swan broke the second place tie in their favour and after a slow start to the regatta have steadily climbed up to second place overall. Second and third places for Peter Dyer's Firefly 850 SEA Property drops them to third overall after leading the event in the early stages. The tremendous performance of the Seacart 30 Thor should not deter the other multihull enthusiasts at other events as they have shown they are beatable – although it will require a very determined effort to out smart them.
This was the 8th running of this international regatta contested on the stunningly beautiful island of Koh Samui. The first three days of racing saw the wind gusting to over 20 knots and boats roaring around the courses. For six days and seven nights, crews, spectators and international media have been treated to an uninterrupted schedule of sailing – providing thrills, along with a few spills, and the opportunity for Race Director Simon James to try something completely new by sending the boats off on a round-the-island race – a first in the history of this regatta.
Along with the fiercely contested ‘on-water’ action, which also included the 2nd running of the ‘Samui Junior Sailing Squadron Challenge’, the full schedule has also seen some important ‘off-water’ activities – including the Bangrak Beach clean-up and the launch of the ‘Sawadee.com Regatta Samui Bluewater Scholarship’ – a new scholarship programme to help children on the island receive an education at Bluewater International School. It’s hardly surprising that in some circles this event is being affectionately referenced as ‘the regatta that gives back’.
After a full on week of close racing, it was a weary, yet satisfied, bunch of sailors that arrived for the exclusive awards evening on the lawns of the Centara Grand Beach Resort. But not weary for long, as they soon got into the rhythm of Josee Koning and the Samui Samba Band and enjoyed the fabulous Gala Dinner. VIP’s Ratanavudh Vajarodaya (Bureau of the Thai Royal Household), Ramnate Jaikwang (Mayor of Koh Samui’s Municipality), Roland Schetter and Christian Lukey (CEO & COO, Sawadee.com) and Martin Heiniger (GM of the Centara Grand Beach Resort) were all on-hand to present the awards and for many the night of celebrations continued well into the early hours, as it so often does at the end of this particular regatta.
As many of the skippers and crews prepared to leave Samui, thoughts quickly turned to the 2010 Sawadee.com Regatta that will again be contested on the pristine ocean waters off Chaweng Beach. Many will return, as they have for the past eight years, to participate in this ‘tropical island regatta’.
Ends/
This Press Release can be downloaded in pdf and Word versions at: www.samuiregatta.com/group/newsmedia/forum/topics/press-release-june-7th-2009
Neil Pryde & Crew Accepting Their Award at the Gala Dinner
Photo: Jacques Herremans - Samuizoom.com
For previous 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
www.citrus-pr.com
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.
‘Blauwvoet’, ‘Panic’, ‘Constanza’ & ‘Thor’ All Triumph In Their Classes As The ‘Tropical Island Regatta’ Concludes
Koh Samui, Thailand. June 7, 2009 – The Sawadee.com Regatta 09 drew to a close yesterday with an impressive Gala Dinner and Awards evening, following a week of great wind, exciting racing and fun-filled evening events. Neil Pryde and Hi-Fi, who started and finished the week strong, won the overall Racing Class, and made it a night to remember by also taking the 2008-09 ‘AsianYachting Champion Skipper and Yacht of the Year’ award back with them to Hong Kong.
On the final day of the regatta, several outstanding individual performances were rewarded by leading the overall class standings and although some classes had already been decided, others had it all to play for. Bright sunshine, blue sky and 8 to 10 knots of wind set the scene for the final showdown off Samui’s Chaweng Beach.
Having dominated the racing class, Neil Pryde's Welbourne 52 Hi-Fi run of five wins in a row was broken when the Fred Kinmonth/Nick Burns owned Mills 51 Fortis Mandrake claimed first place in Race 7 by a mere six seconds. Second place for Hi-Fi gave them a run away overall win and they did not have to compete in the final race. Always lurking in the wings, Ray Roberts’ DK46 Quantum Racing claimed Race 8 to deliver them second overall from a tightly knit bunch of boats vying for the remaining podium places. Second place in Race 8 for the Fred Kinmonth/Nick Burns owned Fortis Mandrake elevated them to third place overall and a just reward for pushing on during the regatta despite some mid fleet finishes. Matt Allen's Beneteau First 44.7 Ichi Ban ended up fourth and the Bill Bremner/Andy Cocks owned TP52 Foxy Lady IV eventually got the better of Sam Chan's TP52 Ffreefire 52.
By winning this regatta Neil Pryde and Hi-Fi have scored a record 20 points in the AsianYachting Grand Prix Championships. They have scored podium places in all eight regattas that they have contested this season. Five wins, two second places and one third place, is worthy of being crowned the 2008-09 Skipper and Yacht of the Year. This is also the third time Neil has won the prestigious award over the eight years that it has been contested – demonstrating a remarkable ability to successfully run a racing campaign in Asian waters over the last 20 years.
Two wins in the IRC/Sportsboat class, cemented Jeff Davison's Mumm 30 Panic grip on the overall stakes and successfully defended last years title. Ken Eyears Oracle 32 Waka Tere applied considerable pressure throughout the event but eventually had to settle on second overall. The conditions did not always suit Kipsan Beck's planning Shaw 6.5 Pornstar and at the end of the day third overall was possibly the best result they could of hoped for.
Only one race for the Premier Cruising class took them on a passage race to the south of Samui and back. Marcel Liedts Beneteau 50 Blauwvoet regained their earlier form to claim first place and go on to take the overall title in front of the sometimes tricky and difficult opposition. Gary Baguley's Holman & Pye 52 El Coyote jumped up into second place but some tail end results leaves them in fifth overall. Despite some up and down results, Peter Churchhouse's Warwick 64 Moonblue 2 managed to slot into second overall after finishing fourth in the final days racing. Third place for Jon Wardill's Cassidy 55 Australian Maid sees them recover back third place on the podium after two mid fleet finishes set them back in the title race.
In the Bareboat Charter Class, Andrew Short's Oceanis 461 Constanza, has kept a clean sheet with seven wins in a row. In the last few years they have completely dominated this class and an extra special effort will be needed to take the title away from the Aussies. Second place yesterday for John Stall's Sunsail OC361 Perigot will likely give Samui’s youth sailors something to remember for the rest of their lives. Despite slipping to third place yesterday, Hong Kong's Chin Yew Seah on the Sunsail 39 Bussakorn has ended up in second overall but will need to fit a ‘turbocharger’ if they are to beat Constanza. Howard Blowes Sunsail 43 Milliebella ended up in third overall despite recording two retirements mid way through the regatta.
After loosing ground in the pointscore during Fridays round the island race, Fergus Wilmer and Henry Kaye's Seacart 30 Thor rebounded with first and second places to race away with top spot on the podium. Third and first places for Radab Kanjanavanit's F9-A Cedar Swan broke the second place tie in their favour and after a slow start to the regatta have steadily climbed up to second place overall. Second and third places for Peter Dyer's Firefly 850 SEA Property drops them to third overall after leading the event in the early stages. The tremendous performance of the Seacart 30 Thor should not deter the other multihull enthusiasts at other events as they have shown they are beatable – although it will require a very determined effort to out smart them.
This was the 8th running of this international regatta contested on the stunningly beautiful island of Koh Samui. The first three days of racing saw the wind gusting to over 20 knots and boats roaring around the courses. For six days and seven nights, crews, spectators and international media have been treated to an uninterrupted schedule of sailing – providing thrills, along with a few spills, and the opportunity for Race Director Simon James to try something completely new by sending the boats off on a round-the-island race – a first in the history of this regatta.
Along with the fiercely contested ‘on-water’ action, which also included the 2nd running of the ‘Samui Junior Sailing Squadron Challenge’, the full schedule has also seen some important ‘off-water’ activities – including the Bangrak Beach clean-up and the launch of the ‘Sawadee.com Regatta Samui Bluewater Scholarship’ – a new scholarship programme to help children on the island receive an education at Bluewater International School. It’s hardly surprising that in some circles this event is being affectionately referenced as ‘the regatta that gives back’.
After a full on week of close racing, it was a weary, yet satisfied, bunch of sailors that arrived for the exclusive awards evening on the lawns of the Centara Grand Beach Resort. But not weary for long, as they soon got into the rhythm of Josee Koning and the Samui Samba Band and enjoyed the fabulous Gala Dinner. VIP’s Ratanavudh Vajarodaya (Bureau of the Thai Royal Household), Ramnate Jaikwang (Mayor of Koh Samui’s Municipality), Roland Schetter and Christian Lukey (CEO & COO, Sawadee.com) and Martin Heiniger (GM of the Centara Grand Beach Resort) were all on-hand to present the awards and for many the night of celebrations continued well into the early hours, as it so often does at the end of this particular regatta.
As many of the skippers and crews prepared to leave Samui, thoughts quickly turned to the 2010 Sawadee.com Regatta that will again be contested on the pristine ocean waters off Chaweng Beach. Many will return, as they have for the past eight years, to participate in this ‘tropical island regatta’.
Ends/
This Press Release can be downloaded in pdf and Word versions at: www.samuiregatta.com/group/newsmedia/forum/topics/press-release-june-7th-2009
Neil Pryde & Crew Accepting Their Award at the Gala Dinner
Photo: Jacques Herremans - Samuizoom.com
For previous 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
www.citrus-pr.com
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.
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