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THE
FIRST KOH SAMUI REGATTA - PROGRAMME OF EVENTS Sunday 28th April 2002 – Registration Day 10.00 – 17.00 Registration at the Central
Samui Beach Resort. Monday 29th April – Race Day One 
10.30 Start – Bangkok Airways Ocean
Race. Tuesday 30th April – Race Day Two 10.30 Start – Red Bull Extra
Race Series. Wednesday 1st May – Race Day Three 10.30 Start – Santiburi Dusit Resort
Ocean Race. Thursday 2nd May – Lay Day Races may be rescheduled in the event of earlier races being abandoned. Friday 3rd May – Race Day Four 09.30 Start -
Coconut Land & House Ocean Race. Saturday 4th May – Race Day Five 10.30 Start - Central Samui Beach
Resort Race. Return to AsianYachting News and Views |
| 29TH APRIL - RACE DAY ONE BANGKOK AIRWAYS OCEAN RACE A bright, sunny day greeted the first day
of the inaugural Koh Samui International Regatta, with winds at 6 - 8
knots out of the east south east. The yachts got off to a good start and Big Buzzard was clean out of the traps after Aussie Ray Roberts on Luna Nova decided to run down the start line on port tack - in order to try to confuse everyone?? But once clear of the start and round the windward mark, Frank Pong and the guys on Jelik (see picture) were soon to show a clean stern to the rest of the fleet and never needed to look back. Meanwhile the rest of the keel boats were keen to take each other on and race for places. In the beach catamarans, after a slightly delayed start the fleet were also away clean and the race was on! In 28 seconds under 2 hours, Jelik was first across the line and Luna Nova, looking resplendent under blue spinnaker was beaten into 3rd place on corrected time by Keith Moore on Pla Loma, who finished 2nd.
In the Beach Cat Class, and despite starting 20 minutes after the keel boats, Saranya Makinson crossed first over the line on her Nacra 5.5 flying a spinnaker, ahead of the first Class 2 keel boat. But Bob Garner on his Nacra Inter 17 (without spinnaker) pushed her back into second on corrected time. Third place over the line, and on corrected time, was Frank Teeuwen on his Nacra 16 square, also with spinnaker. So the provisional race results at the end of Race Day One - the Bangkok Airways Ocean Race, were as follows. KEELBOATS CLASS ONE KEELBOATS CLASS ONE BEACH CAT CLASS So with eight different nationalities in the nine places the First Koh Samui Regatta can truly be called, an International Regatta. The early evening cocktail party at the Central Samui Beach Resort saw Peter Wiesner, Vice President Marketing, hand over the trophies on behalf of Race Day Sponsor - Bangkok Airways. THANKS EVERYONE AND SEE YOU ON THE WATER
TOMORROW!!!!!! Return to AsianYachting News and Views |
| 30TH APRIL - RACE DAY TWO RED BULL EXTRA - RACE SERIES Race Report by Peter Cummins RED
BULL EXTRA JOINS THE SAMUI REGATTA: PONG, BELL AND GARNER
DOMINATE
In Race Two of the Red
Bull Extra Series, a little more wind favoured the mighty "Jelik"
which went back to pride of place on the leader board, at the end of the
regatta' third race overall, "turning the tables" (so to speak) on "Pla
Loma", with the same three as in Race One, following in placings three
to five. New Zealander David Bell
continued on his winning way in Keelboat Class Two Division, racking up
two more first placings on "Graffiti", from Steve Walker's Singapore entry
"Next Page" in Red Bull Race One and the Royal Thai Navy's "Naval Academy
One". flying the Red Bull spinnaker, in Race Two. The Pattaya boys,
on board Richard Ellis' "Seamanda" struggled along, rounding out Class
Two.
Local lad big Roy Copp appeared
for the first time, to challenge the visitors and finish seventh in Race
One and fourth in Race Two, sailing the equally-big Nacra 6. There was the traditional
Awards Party, held beach-front at Central Samui Resort, where many litres
of the famous Red Bull Energy drink were disbursed in tiny 18cl.
cans. "A small amount of a powerful energy drink" can be very
stimulating," noted one old salt. In other words, it could be said
that "A little Bull goes a long way...!
Most yacht racing, including
the Phuket King's Cup Regatta, takes place almost over the horizon.
But at Samui today, the courses set parallel to the shore, provided
a spectator 'viewing platform' while, at the same time, presented the
100 sailors taking part, with a panorama of this lovely island which
most have never seen before. The press and media are also high profile around the racing area, with the television crews recording diligently (of course), all the colourful action from the vantage point of their own viewing platform, generously provided by The Dive Shop. PROVISIONAL RESULTS RACE 2 - RED BULL EXTRA - RACE SERIES 1 KEELBOATS CLASS ONE 1st Pla Loma Malaysia KEELBOATS CLASS TWO 1st Graffiti
New Zealand BEACH CAT CLASS 1st Bob Garner
British RACE 3 - RED BULL EXTRA - RACE SERIES 2 KEELBOATS CLASS ONE 1st Jelik
Hong Kong KEELBOATS CLASS TWO 1st Graffiti New
Zealand BEACH CAT CLASS 1st Bob Garner
British Return to AsianYachting
News
and Views
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1ST MAY - RACE DAY THREE SANTIBURI DUSIT RESORT OCEAN RACE Race Report by John and Alison Harigan of E-Travel Blackboard - internet travel specialists throughout Australia and S.E. Asia.
Wednesday 1st May dawned with a gorgeous sunrise breaking the horizon on Chaweng Beach - "One of the world most beautiful beaches!" Several of the competing yachts, international and local were lit by the early morning glow offering a unique visage of the ocean landscape. These yachts, part of the inaugural Koh Samui Regatta are part of the history that is being made here in Koh Samui - to become an important part of the Asian racing calendar.
So far in the series Frank Pong's Jelik a 76ft golaith out of Hong Kong has been grabbing the headwinds to secure several first place positions in its Class 1 races. However not to be outdone Pla Loma from Malaysia and Luna Nouva of Australia have been giving Jelik a run for her money. They are moving up to first and second positions in the Santiburi Singha ocean race.
Excitingly close, the beach cats prove to be popular with the viewing crowds who watch with anticipation from the beaches and headlands. The duels taking place out at sea. PROVISIONAL RESULTS KEELBOATS CLASS ONE 1st
Pla Loma Malaysia KEELBOATS CLASS TWO
1st
Graffiti
New Zealand BEACH CAT CLASS 1st
Bob Garner
British Return to AsianYachting News and Views |
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"DOWN TO THE WIRE" After the predictable "Lay Day Blow" Race day 4 of the inaugural Koh Samui Regatta saw an early morning south easter strengthening from sunrise to become a good 12 knot blow for an on-time 09.30 start to this, the longest ocean race at around 38 miles. This made for a great spectacle on the start line where the keel boats bunched up at the favoured windward end of the line, edging in close to the Royal Thai Navy Committee Boat to get a good reaching position for the north north eastward first corner at Ko Kong Ok. Once round this point it was a rapid spinnaker run down to the next major turning mark in front of the Race Day sponsor's development at Coconut Sands. Here, the gathered party was amazed at the sight of these thoroughbred racing yachts screaming down the coastline and rounding the buoy a mere 80 mtrs. offshore, dropping the kites then heeling over into a close hauled leg, north towards Koh Tae Nok, close by the south west corner of Koh Phangan.
The next turning point between the limestone pinnacle, just off Koh Tae Nok saw pretty much all the fleet coming through in good time.
All in all it seemed like a great day for the yachts, the crews and the sponsors as this the longest passage race was completed with the line honours "Jelik" through the finish in a couple of minutes over four hours and forty minutes. The results today mean that David Bell on Graffiti has sealed Class 2 keel boats, whilst the consistent Bob Garner has taken first overall in the Beach Catamarans. 2nd in keel boats 2 looks destined to go Steve Walker on Next Page whilst 2nd and 3rd in beach catamarans will be keenly fought for tomorrow by local lady Saranya Makinson and Aussie - Les Nyerges. Whereas in Class 1 Keel boats, Jelik and Pla Loma both have 9 points from the 5 races to date. So it's down to the wire and whoever wins the Central Samui Beach Resort Olympic Race tomorrow in Chaweng Bay will be crowned the winner of the Inaugural Koh Samui Regatta. Stay tuned for the conclusion tommorow!!!!!!!! PROVISIONAL RESULTS - RACE FIVE
1st Jelik
Hong Kong KEELBOATS CLASS TWO 1st Graffiti
New Zealand BEACH CAT CLASS 1st Bob Garner
British Return to AsianYachting News and Views |
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OLYMPIC COURSE The early morning saw light south easters at around 6-7 knots which increased slightly to 8 for the on-time start at 10.30. An uncharacteristic slip by Jelik at the start line handed an immediate advantage to Pla Loma and Luna Nuova. But by the windward mark her upwind speed in these light airs allowed her to round Mark 1 one boat length ahead of Pla Loma who was in turn one boat length in front of Luna Nuova - nice tight stuff and exciting to watch from the shore. Flying her big white translucent kite Jelik soon pulled away down wind on the first of the two windward-leeward legs. Leaving the two following boats to match race each other with some very close racing. A slight lightening of wind and a shift northerly meant that the yachts had to jibe their chutes to round the leeward Mark 3 and Pla Loma were neck and neck during this maneuver, making a real spectacle for the crowd viewing from the beach. Once again Jelik was first across the line with Luna Nuova just over 14 minutes behind and Pla Loma just over one and a half minutes behind. But this was close enough to hand the win to Pla Loma on corrected time from Jelik. In Class Two David Bell on Graffiti sailed another impeccable race to record a straight six out of six wins and walk away with this class overall. In Class Three, today rather fittingly saw the ever improving local Nacra 6.0, helmed by Sa-ard with Big Roy Copp - the owner, trimming the jib take both line honours and first place on corrected time from Saranya Makinson and Bob Garner - who finished in an unusual (for him) 3rd placing. Saranya's second means she edges Les Nyerges, who finished fourth today, into third place for the overall series. PROVISIONAL RESULTS - RACE SIX KEELBOATS CLASS ONE 1st Pla
Loma Malaysia KEELBOATS CLASS TWO 1st Graffiti
New Zealand BEACH CAT CLASS 1st Sa-ard
Thailand Return to AsianYachting News and Views |
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Just how close can you get? Well, in the case of Jelik and Pla Loma - neck and neck! After five days of racing and after discarding their worst results these two contenders finished dead level on seven points each. On the count back basis Pla Loma takes the overall winners trophy by virtue of beating Jelik in the last race. In Class Two Aussie, David Bell on Graffiti sailed an impeccable six firsts to sweep this class. Steve Walker with Next Page out of Singapore took a steady 5 out of 6 second place finishes to easily clinch the runner up spot. Royal Thai Navy 1 with a bit more consistency and maybe a cleaner bottom(!!) edged Royal Thai Navy 4 into third place overall. Meanwhile Richard Ellis on Seamanda hung in there and commendably sailed every race - to use his words "hey, we're having fun out there". In Class Three, beach cats, Bob Garner almost sailed a perfect six - but for the last day win by the ever improving local windsurf expert Sa-ard with Big Roy Copp on Samui based Miracle, their Nacra 6.0. Saranya Makinson's consistent seconds were enough for her to clearly take Runeer up spot after discarding an uncharacteristic sixth. Les Nyerges meanwhile sailed a steady week to clinch a comfortable third overall for the Series. At the end of the week there can only be one winner - but really, at the end of this First Koh Samui Regatta there were many winners - the participants, the organisers, the sponsors, the specatators and the local community were all clear winners! See you all again next year for the 2nd Koh Samui International Regatta from 25th - 31st May 2003. OVERALL REGATTA RESULTS (PROVISIONAL) CLASS 1 1. Pla Loma
Keith Moore 7 points. CLASS 2 1. Graffiti
David Bell
5 points CLASS 3 1. 181
Bob Garner
5 points Return to AsianYachting News and Views |
In
class two, David Bell on Graffiti took first place over the line
in this group, and on corrected time, with Steve Ellis on Next Page,
16 minutes behind (corrected) in second and the Thai Naval Academy No.1
MRX, flying their new Red Bull Extra spinnaker, in 3rd.
Race One
of the Red Bull Extra events started off in light southerlies, with Singaporean
Keith Moore's "Pla Loma", revelling in the lighter conditions, to
edge out erstwhile Keelboat Class One leader Frank Pong's spectacular
ULDB sloop (Ultra-light Displacement Boat), "Jelik" from Hong Kong with Aussie
Ray Roberts' "Luna Nuova" third, David Bailey's "Hocux Pocux"
The
consignment of Royal Varuna Yacht Club's Nacra fleet, delivered courtesy
of the Royal Thai Navy's landing barge, right to Chaweng Beach, continued
their struggle, with master Bob Garner's Nacra Inter 17 well on top of
the pile, holding off Les Nyerges (Nacra 16 Sq.) and Frank Teeuwen Nacra
16 Sq., spinnaker) in Red Bull Race One, while rising star - and only
female helm, Saranya Makinson - sailed the family Nacra 5.5 (spinnaker)
into second place, ahead of Les Nyerges, in Race Two.
The
First Koh Samui Regatta, even at this early stage, is being hailed as
the best stimulation to yachting and marine sports generally, since the
economic down-turn in 1997. Furthermore, the big fleet of yachts
and beach-launched catamarans which have descended upon Samui for this
inaugural event, have added a new chapter in Thailand's tourism potential.
Today's Red Bull Extra's in-shore racing series, featuring races two and
three of this week-long yachting fest, brought the refreshing and almost-tangible
sight of multi-coloured craft and sails, close in to the island's spectacular
coast. 
All
of the crews from the participating yachts were showing high spirits and
enthusiasm at the Red Bull trophy awards Cocktail Party, held Tuesday
night 30th April at the Central Samui Beach resort. Donning Red Bulls
horns, the crews, sponsors and officials enjoyed another terrific evening
of camaraderie hosted by the Gentleman General Manager of the Central
Samui Mr. Jacques Mury and his professional team. All were eager to discuss
the days racing and the events to come.
Into
the third day of this exciting racing event, Wednesday's Santiburi Singha
Ocean race sees some of the participating crews becoming more familiar
with the Samui seas, some upsets in the order of place getting and new
challenges to be fought.
Class
2 racing has seen some incredible sailing skills exhibited by all entries,
standout entry Grafitti of Thailand has swept away with first place in
all of it's Class 2 races. Another first in the Santiburi Singha Ocean
race - maintains her winning run.
With
only two of the Class One keel boats round the sponsor's mark the leading
beach catamarans of Saranya Makinson and Bob Garner were soon flying in,
revelling under the stiff winds and flat seas off the leeward coast. The
comments from shore indicated a good many none-yachties now becoming converts
to the colourful sailing spectacle unfolding before them, for the first
time.
The
long reach back down to Ko Kong Ok saw some favourable northerly windshifts
benefit the latter racers and make it back round the corner for the last
leg south to the finish at Chaweng Bay.
KEELBOATS
CLASS ONE