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4th Koh Samui International Regatta 2005

AY Race Report 5 & Summary - 28th May

Its over for the 04/05 season, bar the shouting...
After scurrying through the racing rule book and interpreting how to break a tie on corrected time and a series tie the final results show just how close the racing was after a week of variable conditions on different courses. Frank Pongs 75ft Jelik once again roared around the track in the fresh conditions but as the race progressed the breeze became patchy allowing Troy Yaws Ulumulu in hot pursuit to close the gap.

Both yachts sailed within their handicaps and despite Jelik taking line honours for the 6th time they ended up tied right down to the minutes and seconds on corrected time. By scoring the same points in today's final race Ulumulu maintains her 3 point advantage to become this years champion. Jelik stayed in 2nd place and after putting in a good performance on their first outing Toby O'Connell's newly acquired YO! ended up in 3rd place overall.

So over nine selected AY Grand Prix racing class events (Malaysia 3, Hong Kong 2, Thailand 2 plus Singapore and the Philippines with 1 a piece) held this season, Neil Pryde and his former Hi-Fidelity have become the respective 2004/05 AY Grand Prix Skipper and Yacht Champions of the year. By taking out the tri-fecta of the Raja Muda, King's Cup and the Singapore Straits which by the way is no easy feat plus 2nd place in the China Coast Regatta behind Skandia is a example of what it takes to win this prestigious award. Unfortunately Neil will not be here to get fitted with a new Armani blue blazer at tonight's presentation but a special award and champagne ceremony is being organised at the end of the Raja Muda latter this year in duty-free Langkawi.

Bill Bremner's Singapore based Sydney 36 Foxy Lady scored another 1st place today to clean sweep the IRC 2 class with 5 wins in as many days and his score sheet only blotted with a 8th on the first variable day which becomes his drop race. This yacht under a former owner and named Pla Loma actually won the inaugural Koh Samui Regatta 4 years ago. After a close tussle for the placing's John Vause's 4th place today is enough to put the Pattaya built Buzz 8 into 2nd place. The other Singaporean entry of Jonathan Mahony's Mumm 30 Happy Endings finished in 2nd today and tied on points with the Buzz 8 but had to settle for third on count back. Karl Stechmann's Princess Anna finished up in front of his fellow Aussie's competing on the four Sunsail Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35’s who thoroughly enjoyed racing amongst themselves.

The duel between the Samui built Radical Bay 8000's in the multihull class also ended in a tie with 3x1st places and 2x2nd places. By scoring first place in today's final race 6, Pierre Forsans China House ran out the winner over Kim Thomas's Coco Blues on count back. Despite Radab Kanjanavanit's fine efforts on Cedar Swan to get in amongst the cats it just was not enough and ended with a 3rd place overall.

Summary
This event has a number of firsts that should be noted. It is the first major victory in classy company for Troy Yaw's Miri, Sarawak based team on Ulumulu and also the first win in many years for Ray Roberts on his old boat formerly called Luna Nuova. Another first for Foxy Lady and the Samui built RB8000's which are fast becoming a hard act to beat and likely to feature in the coming season. It is also the first time I can remember an exact tie on corrected time for a long time and so many series ties needed to be broken at the end of a regatta. Despite the prevailing light and variable conditions through the week allot of good sailing has been enjoyed and with all the things going on in Koh Samui how can you not have a good time here. So mark the end of May in your diary as this event is definitely not to be missed.

For more news, full results and photos goto: www.samuiregatta.com.