4th SEA Property Multihull Championship 2011
AY
Race Report 3 & Summary
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Miss
Saigon and Voodoo are the winners
Summary Full details and results on the ACYC website: http://www.acyc-phuket.com Goto AY
Race
Report 2 This SEA Property Multihull Championship - AY Race Reports are proudly sponsored by the following advertisers.
AsianYachting
Ventures Sdn. Bhd. (Co.
No. 627106-T) |
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July
17th: Brilliant
sunshine replaced the overcast conditions experienced over the last few
days and 6 to 8 knots of South Westerly breeze greeted the sailors as
they mustered for the final day of racing. As the breeze direction failed
to settle, PRO Simon James chose Island Course 9, up to and around Koh
Bon, then back to Chalong Bay for the first race. Staying in the wind
lanes and out of the adverse current between the islands played an important
tactical part in determining either success or becoming an also ran in
the fleet. When we left off yesterday, David Liddell's Corsair C37RS Miss
Saigon held a healthy lead in the Performance Multi's and three Firefly's
The Frog, Moto Inzi and Voodoo were locked in a three
way tie on 10 points and all to play for today.
The
top podium contenders started the cat and mouse game during the pre-start
and covered each other up the long windward leg to the island. Paul Larson
skippering the Andaman Cabriolet Da Vinci took a tack out to
oblivion and looked very sad at the beginning but managed to recover and
close back in on the approaches to Bon Island. Alan Carwardine’s
Sidewinder picked up a favourable wind shift along the coast
and led the fleet around the course. They could not shake off David Liddell's
Miss Saigon that held close on their tail and picked up the handicap
win and went on to cement their name on the overall title plus the inaugural
Cosair Cup. Paul Larsen pulled the cat out of the bag and came from behind
to secure second place by three seconds from a disappointed Alan Carwardine
on Sidewinder. As the breeze lightened up a little the skippers
were given the choice if they wanted to have a second race. The general
consensus was to return to the comfort of the Ao Chalong Yacht Club bar
as the overall winner was already decided.
The
hotly contested Firefly 850 One Design class were eager to get going to
settle the overall podium or to improve on their placing's. Several position
changes up the long windward leg saw all boats round the island within
minutes of each other. Gybing downwind looked like a colorful waltz with
bows forging ahead with each puff of wind. Eventually several boats approached
the finish line from opposite directions and extremely hard to pick who
was in front. With a surge of speed Ian Coulson skippering Voodoo
slipped across the line to claim victory, in front of Andrew Marshall's
Pink Lady and Andy Pape skippering The Frog. Only one
minute separated the first five boats. Although Voodoo was declared
the winner the majority of skippers wanted to have another go at toppling
them and another race was called.
The
same scenario developed, going tack for tack to keep tight cover on each
other but eventually Voodoo broke away to take the win and nail
the Firefly title. Second place for Andy Pape skippering The Frog
was enough to earn them second overall. Although Roger Kingdon's Moto
Inzi missed a few wind lanes in the first race today they clambered
back into third place and collected the third podium position.
Despite
the light wind drift-athon on the first day, the racing schedule was completed
and the conditions for the remainder of the regatta made up for the disastrous
first day. Although some boats were impeded, the cream of the crop usually
rises to the top and by consistently being amongst the leaders in subsequent
races normally gets good crew back on the podium. The close racing bought
the racing down to the last day and very exciting for the sailors and
spectators alike. The media are very thankful to Mark Norris for providing
the entertainment onboard the new Da Vinci Sunseeker 50 support
boat. The best bloody mary's in Phuket. This result is also great preparation
to hone the crew skills before the action packed 
