The team from Gokova Sailing School will be on board a racing/cruising catamaran named Galeforce, designed by Australian yachtmaker Alan Carwadine and built on a local Phuket wharf in 2014.
With a team of professional Russian sailors on board, the catamaran can make up to an impressive 24 knots.
With only one week to go the event, preparations for the race are now in full swing. First and foremost, the team will have to check all the equipment and condition of the boat, something which can have a big influence on their result.
One of the most important aspects is to lighten the boat by taking off all the heavy items used for charters such as diving equipment and compressors, fishing accessories, the second anchor and other such items.
The team has already cleaned the hull and refreshed the anti-fouling coating which can also contribute greatly to race results, and right before the race the team will take off the standard cruising sails and replace them with lighter weight carbon ones specifically designed for regattas.
Last – but by no means list – are the numerous training sessions the crew has to endure to master various drills such as setting up the boat’s spinnaker whilst travelling at full speed.
Competition in the Racing Multihull division this year will be even tougher than before. Long-standing rivals Hurricane, Java and Afterburner will be joined this year by a brand new Stealth-14 named WOW, along with a fleet of renowned 3-inch and Corsair trimarans.
The team from Gokova are getting prepared for the fight on the water and hope to catch some great winds.
If you want to make your first steps in yachting, sign up for a regattaor cruise,please visit GokovaPhuket.com or email GokovaPhuket@gmail.com