This year’s event was graced with fantastic winds throughout. With a tradition of at least one day of light winds, some say this was the windiest regatta ever…..
This year’s Regatta attracted 33 international crews with 250 Competitors from 12 Countries.
Started with registration and a beachside opening Party at Chandara Resort & Spa. Day One featured a print through the fabled Phang Nga Bay to The Paradise Koh Yao Resort for a party under the stars.
Day 2 & 3 saw boats headed across to Krabi for a free night, followed by a day of racing around the stunning Koh Dam group of islands, finishing with a presentation party at Ao Nang Resort.
On the final day of racing the Multihulls sailed a 33nm course; after starting off of Ao Nang, rounding the Koh Dam group through the gate at Hin Mu Sang Nua and on to their finish just out of Ao Chalong.
The rest of the course sailed a shortened 17nm course out from Ao Nang finishing at Hin Mu Sang Nua.
The Racing class on the final day was won by Megazip with Emagine and Fujin coming in second and third. This meant that Scott Bradley’s Emagine emerged victorious overall with Megazip in second with 9 points and Mick Tilden’s Fujin, coming in third with 13 points. Long-time Bay Regatta Cruising Class winner Neils Degenkolw took fourth on Phoenix and the Fargo Ladies Team, with the sensational Liz Schoch skippering, ended settling for fifth overall even though they did win the first race and Team Ferret came sixth in the top division, although the Platu battled hard against the bigger boats throughout.
Cruising A honours on the last day went to Thalassa with Lady Bubbly and Remington coming in second and third. This broke Remington’s string of three-straight first-place finishes but Jim Ellis’ team did still win the overall title with Tony Bynes’ Mohawk coming in second with 11 points and Chris Mitchell’s Lady Bubbly finishing third with 13 points. Fourth spot went Thalassa, 5th to Linda.
Cruising B saw the local Thai Team on Tongfah grab top spot on the final day with Poco and Aqua coming next in line. This enabled Ket Mangklaeseranee’s boat, the only all-Thai team in the regatta, to win their division with 8 points, while Kevin Gillow’s Poco, last year’s winner, tied Selma with 12 points, but took second overall based on a higher finish on the last day (second). Rate came 4th followed by Aqua and Sanook in this six-boat division.
The 6 entry Bareboat Charters saw Russian entry Papasha Grizly win for the fourth day straight day – the only boat to sweep its class. Little Eva and Sumalee came in second and third on the day. In the overall standings, Papasha Grizly and Little Eva kept those one, two spots, but Kinnon snuck in to take third place, in a class dominated by Russian sailors. Sumalee, Allsail Isabella and Allsail Uhuru came 4th 5th & 6th to round out this division.
Multihulls saw Java take the overall title with 11 points, Asia Catamarans Hurricane came second with 12 points, and Voodoo was third with 13 points. Twin Sharks was fourth, followed by WOW, Blue Noze, Galeforce, Adrenaline and Allegro.
The Firefly sub-division saw Blue Noze, Voodoo & Twin Sharks finish one, two, three and that’s the way the overall standings finished in this tightly fought class, which saw all entrees finish with an 8-point total, but Blue Noze took the crown on two first-place finishes while Voodoo edged out Twin Sharks on the final day to gain second spot.
The final party and prize giving was held at O2 Beach Club in Ao Chalong, with many happy but tired crews dancing away their aches and pains until the early hours.
Speaking at the final presentations, Kae Wattana, Event Directror for Regattas Asia said, “It’s been a incredible regatta with great winds, stunning scenery and fantastic parties. We thank all competitors and sponsors who support us year after year…. Charter companies are already reporting record repeat bookings for next year and we look forward to seeing you all again to celebrate the 20th anniversary in February 2017…..”