Pattaya Mail — Sports

Exciting sailing in the Loxley Video Post Ch'ship

by Peter Cummins

Royal Varuna Yacht Club staged the Loxley Video Post round Koh Larn championship, consisting of two long-distance races from Royal Varuna, around Koh Chun (Light-house Island), Koh Larn and back to finish at Royal Varuna.

Held over last Saturday, Sunday, there could not have been two more dissimilar races, with totally opposite weather patterns prevailing on each day. The only consistent component in the two events, was the winners.

It was a battle of Marco, sailing Marks and rounding marks, around Pattaya Bay, as Royal Varuna Yacht Club sailors fought each other, horrendous storms and rain squalls, interspersed with dead, drifting calms, to see who would be first past the Loxley Video Post.

In the mono-hull (laser) division, it was a battle for national honour, as Italiano. young Marco Miagostavich who, on a winning streak, fought off a strong challenge from fellow-Laser racers Switzerland’s finest, ‘youngish’ Charlie Zbinden, positively boyish Japan’s rising son Shin Suenega and ‘not-so-youngish’ Thailand’s Pairode Matturanont.

Pattaya-nik Steve O’Brien, master of the multi-hulls, remained at the top of that division, bringing the single-handed Nacra 16 Square home first, from Peter/Juliet Bates (Hobie Cat 16), with Simon Prattley/Leone Duson (Hobie Cat 16), third. Steve and Marco finished first and second overall, when the handicaps were adjusted.

Photo: Laser Man Cheerut ha al little bother.

The two Marks in the races, Mark Kovalevsky and Mark Tschelitscheff, along with the rest of the 35-strong fleet of participants, were no match for the major ‘mark’ in Saturday’s race one, which happened to be Koh Larn. With a massive storm front enveloping the island at mid-afternoon, this ‘mark’ simply disappeared, not only from the gaze of the two Marks, but the whole fleet. Or, as Marco said it: "visibility was about zero; not only could we not see Koh Larn, but we lost sight of each other in that forbidding black hole."

With the Mail scribe also suffering from a visibility gap, it was fortunate for the Mail readership that sponsor of the event, Mark Kovalevsky, President of the Loxley Video Post group, was out there with the eagle eye for which his company is justly renowned.

"Despite the uncertain economic climate," noted Mark after the event, "some of Thailand’s companies are still looking to the future and actively promoting sporting events. We were most happy to sponsor this two-race, round-the-island series - storms or no storms." Race One on Saturday, started in rather light winds as the big fleet sailed north to Koh Chun (Light-house) Island off Pattaya Bay. The big catamarans soon pulled clear of the mono-hull fleet, with the Bates in their customary lead, followed by Steve O’Brien, the only single-handed

craft challenging the Hobie Cats of Simon Prattley, Mark Tschelitscheff and Murray Maunder.

The Monos were having a very close struggle, with Charlie, Marco, Pairode and Suenega-san locked close together.

"Nasty surprises seem to be the hallmark of Thai life these days," Mark observed, with his usual sense of under-statement "and sailing, certainly is no exception." All the Loxley competitors agreed entirely, as they sailed into the very teeth of the black, black line squall which hit viciously behind Koh Larn. Nature is no respecter of persons and the whole fleet was soon in the thrall of Madame Monsoon.

It was a battle for survival, with winds shifting 180 degrees, turbulent seas and driving, blinding rain. "Exciting sailing," said Mark later, "a great pity no-one could see the action." (another under-statement).

Bates, O’Brien and Prattley finished in that order while the rest of the multi-hulls limped home out of the gloom. Likewise in the Lasers, Charlie, Suenega-san and Marco were one-two-three of the Laser fleet, with not even another craft in sight at dusk.

Sunday’s race two could have been held in another location and in a different time-zone, so dissimilar were the conditions from the previous race, as race officer Dick van den Heuvel sent the fleets away in light winds and brilliant sunshine.

Steve O’Brien and Marco consolidated their positions by finishing first in the Multi and Mono-hulls respectively, with Steve O’Brien as the overall handicap winner, the first name to be engraved on the handsome Loxley Video Post Trophy.

Results, open class (first 12). 1. O’Brien (Nacra 16-Sq.); 2. Miagostavich (Laser); 3. Suenaga (Laser); 4. Zbinden (Laser); 5. Sathivee (Laser); 6. Bates (HC-16); 7. Prattley (HC-16); 8. Race (HC-16); 9. Monk (HC-16); 10. Herning (Nacra-16 Sq); 11. Tschelitscheff (H-16); 12. Maunder (H-16).

Charity bowling for scholarships

The Rotary Club of Pattaya and the Ham Radio Operators Association of Pattaya sponsored a Charity Bowling tournament at O.D. Bowl to raise money for their local scholarship fund. The winner received the ‘Governor of Chonburi Cup’, which was presented by the governor himself.

Prince, Vikrom and Arthit did team Pattaya Mail proud, finishing with a total of 1,807, somewhere in the middle of the pack.

The real winners of the tournament were local kids after the event garnered over 100,000 baht. This brings the club’s scholarship fund to over 1,200,000 baht.

Cafe Kronborg jumps out to early lead

Cafe Kronborg has gone undefeated in the first four games, jumping out to the early lead in the Pattaya Sports Club Darts League.

Kronborg, who have been tickling the top of the table for the past few seasons, looked poised to take the extra step and win their first championship this year. The season is still young, however, and many things lie in waiting to upset their run towards a championship.

Londoner are also looking to break through into the championship ranks. After several seasons languishing in the middle of the pack, Londoner has gotten off to a good start and stands just one match back in second place.

In individual achievements, Id from perennial champions Jack’s Bar currently holds the league lead for highest check-out, at 104.

Four PSC Darts players have already shot perfect 180s this season. Gen from Beer Put, Michel from Texxan Inn, Martin from Mick’s Place and Tim from Pleasure Dome have all reached the perfect 180 pinnacle.

Barbe and Winch win PGS ising Sun conquers Sunday quiz league

On an absolutely perfect day for golf, Dickey Barbe and Les Winch won the A and B flights respectively in the Pattaya Golf Society stroke play competition at Sriracha on Tuesday, October 28th.

Dickey Barbe has shown good form during his return from P.I., following up his second place finish last week with a victory in A flight this week. Dickey put together a scratch 98 off his 22 handicap, carding a net 4 over par 76 to win by four strokes.

Les Winch, meanwhile, is living up to recent expectations. After his second straight victory last week, many members predicted it wouldn’t be long before he returned to the top of the podium. Les didn’t disappoint, carding a net 4 over par 76 to earn top honours in the B flight.

Overall all scores were relatively high for the PGS golfers, perhaps due to members not being accustomed to actually playing in good conditions. It has been a while since PGS golfers have enjoyed such good weather, and not many were able to take advantage.

Roy Mitchell finished second in the A flight with a net 8 over par 80, followed by Colin Morgan in third with a net 10 over par 82.

Peter Johannson placed second in B flight with his net 7 over par 76 (lost on count back). Brian Kelly rounded out the podium places with third in the B flight at 9 over par net 81.

Only one closest to the pin was claimed, by Roy Mitchell on #8.

Wednesday Quiz heats up again

Which is the largest flat fish found in British waters? In which Gilbert & Sullivan opera do you meet Katisha, the daughter in law elect?

The mid week trivial pursuits tussle is turning into a battle royal between joint leaders Rising Sun and Cheers. On October 29, the Cheers team made some wrong guesses and allowed Rising Sun to defeat them by 90/120 to 82. But the best score, a majestic 102/120, went to Bob’s Bar who have some very bright buttons currently in town. Their knowledge of pop music in particular is remarkably sound, whilst their memory of movies is second to none.

Some teams were caught out by the question whether the original Bambi was male or female. Although the creature looks a real sweetie, it has horns and also sired a son, so the answer is really self-evident. Babycham has a lot to answer for over the decades with its gender bending inferences. The picture round also caused a few difficulties with a washtub loofah being variously mistaken for an aircraft hangar, a banana and a wart on somebody’s back.

The answers to the questions above are halibut and The Mikado. All teams are still on the lookout for ex champions of Mastermind and the 64,000 Dollar Question. So if you have a couple of hours to spare, do join one of the bars next week in the weekly intellectual wrestling matches which would leave Chopin and Plato speechless if only they could speak English. The fun grilling begins around 8:30 p.m. every Wednesday.

The latest ratings are:
Cheers 23 credits
Rising Sun 23
Bob’s 20
Britannia 19
Palmer’s 18
Fawlty Towers 18
Rover’s Return 14
Sixties 9

Attention all fisherman

The fishing section of the Pattaya Sports Club has announced they will sponsor their next Deep Sea Fishing competition on Sunday and Monday, November 23 & 24, 1997.

Rules for the tournament are as follows: Each team captain will pay an entrance fee of 600 baht to the Pattaya Sports Club. The entrance fee must be paid by 12 noon, November 22. Included with the entrance fee must be a listing of the name of the boat or the boat’s captain and fishermen on board. Each team will be responsible for hiring their own boat. There will be no limit on persons or tackle on board. Boats and crew may not leave shore before 2:00 a.m., November 23. Weigh-in for trophies will be at 6:00 p.m., November 24.

The Pattaya Sports Club will award individual trophies for 1) First Place: the biggest fish (by weight); 2) Second Place: the second biggest fish (by weight), and 3) Plaque for boat captain with the most fish by weight. Only one trophy will be awarded per individual. Please note that sharks, rays, skates, etc., only qualify 50% of total weight.

To register for the tournament, please contact Carl Engel, Pattaya Sports Club Fishing Chairman, tel: 410 228, fax: 426 121. Registration and entrance fee can be left at the Shamrock Bar, Soi Pattayaland 2, or the 60’s Bar, Soi Pattayaland 2.

PSC golf next week

The second week of November starts on Monday 10th with a match between the Cafe Kronborg and visiting group from Archie’s Bar in the Philippines. This is to be played at Khao Kheow in a Stableford competition. Also that day there is a stroke play competition at Natural Park Resort from the Green Bottle.

On Tuesday 11th Soft Rock Cafe go to Bangpra and on Wednesday there are visits to Great lake and Natural Park Hill from the Green Bottle and Hare House respectively.

Cafe Kronborg makes a welcome return to Natural Park Hill on Thursday so there is an opportunity to play this course on consecutive days.

Finally, on Friday 14th the Groups from Hare House and the Green Bottle both go to Khao Kheow, and offer a choice of an early or later starting time.

For more details of November fixtures see the full schedule published in this issue of Pattaya Mail, or visit our Web site at www.pattayasports.org for full details of PSC GOLF.

PSC Golf from the Cafe Kronborg W/C 27th October

Monday 27th October SriRacha ( Stroke)

Big Pete Galle came to form to win this stroke play competition at Sriricha with a net 73, beating Anders Karisson into second place on count back. Neil Hughes took third place with net 75 and Alec Chilcott, with a possible return to form, was fourth with net 77.

Near pin prizes went to Mats ‘Soft Rock’ Lindborg, who claimed two, and to Neil Hughes and Norrie Whiter

Thursday 30th October, Rayong Green Valley(Stableford)

The weather was kind and ideal for golf, which was just as well with the white tees seeming to recede further on every visit. Winner of the ‘A’Flight was ‘Resident’ Brian Imrie with a respectable 37 Stableford points. Not driving quite so far, and in second place ,was Svein Vistung with 33 points. Michael Sjoderberg came third with 31 points.

A new visitor, Wendy Jenson won the ‘B’ Flight with 35 points. Alec Chilcott, with an almost certain return to form, took second place with 33 points and in third place Pete Galle with 31 points.

Near pin prizes were claimed by Peter Habgood, Alan ‘Starter’ Laurie, Neils Villadgen and Arthur Bailey.

Hare House shreds Splinters

Take possession of Challenge Cup

TAGGS golfers from the Hare House defeated the Splinter Golf Group from the Green Bottle 10 to 9 on Wednesday, October 29th to take possession of the Pattaya Sports Club Challenge Cup in the first ever skirmish for the trophy.

TAGGS will now hold onto the cup until such time another group from the Pattaya Sports Club is able to defeat them in a head to head match. TAGGS must accept any challenge for the cup, but have earned the right to decide when and where the match will take place.

In all, four Pattaya Sports Club golf groups are eligible to take part in Challenge Cup matches - TAGGS from the Hare House, Splinter Golf Group from the Green Bottle, PSC Golf from Cafe Kronborg, and PSC Golf from the Soft Rock Cafe.

The first ever Challenge Cup match didn’t exactly go off without a hitch. Originally scheduled for Laem Chabang, golfers from both groups arrived and unloaded their equipment, only to discover the course had already been booked. The match was hastily moved to Khao Kheow, where nary a complaint was heard about the good course conditions there.

Stephen Beard and Norman Brooks from TAGGS, and Andy Wellington and Neil Cameron from Splinter earned equal "Men of the Match" honours for scoring maximum points for their teams.

Lewis Underwoood and Murray Kerr also did their part to earn victory for TAGGS, with both players earning near perfect 2 1/2 points.

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Created by Andy Gombaez