Varuna’s Sam Phanpho for Optimist Worlds?

Nara Yusawit from recently-constituted sailing club at Bangna, went to Sattahip last weekend and won the 2000 Optimist National Championship of Thailand.

Nevertheless, our own Eastern Seaboarder, Sam Phanpho, with his very good placing of 10th in a top field of a record-breaking 54 entries in the Championship, Royal Varuna’s best junior sailor has qualified for a place in Thailand’s selection team for the forthcoming Optimist World Championship.

The Royal Varuna Yacht Club Team at the National’s: Chris Kelly, Sam Phanpho, Will Hamilton, Sila Wilke and Virginie Lacrosse.

At stake for young Sam is a trip to Spain to represent the Kingdom at the International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA) Worlds, sailed in July and, thereafter, the IODA Asian Championship in Singapore in August.

But it its going to be tough, as the initial training squad will be refined down to a maximum of six places - or even less, if the funding is not sufficient.

The Optimist National Championship was sailed last weekend in Dongton Harbor, off the Sattahip Naval base and Royal Varuna was one of the six Optimist dingy clubs participating, represented by Will Hamilton, Chris Kelly, Virginie Lacrosse, Sam Phanpho and Sila Wilke.

According to Royal Varuna Junior Sailing executive Linden Phanpho, all the Varuna sailors did very well in the unfamiliar waters of Sattahip. Especially difficult for all the visiting youngsters were the wind shifts encountered on Dongton Bay where the surrounding hills have a big effect on the weather patterns.

Apart from team leader Sam Phanpho’s excellent performance, bringing credit to his ‘alma mater’, the International School of the Eastern Seaboard, Virginie Lacrosse finished second in the girl’s division, fighting some “real little tigers” according to one very supportive parent.

Among the boys, acolyte Will Hamilton, out from under the shadow of ‘big’ sister Samantha for the first time, enjoyed his new status in the “big league”, finishing very well in his division, while another rising star, Chris Kelly likewise performed well, winning the 12-year-old division.

Linden was amazed at the dedication and support of the parental group who, for three long days, slogged back and forward for some 70km to Sattahip to encourage their young charges.

With participation of the ‘big people’ at a rather low ebb, as evidenced by the dismal numbers at last week’s Catamaran National Championships of Thailand, the record number of juniors and their supporters last weekend bodes well for the future of yacht racing in Thailand.

Record turnout at Pattaya Country Club to celebrate Papasan Ray Rogers’ 85th Birthday

Varuna Sailing Course 2000

The Royal Varuna Yacht club is pleased to announce sailing courses for beginners, to be conducted at the Varuna Club’s splendid seafront premises at Pattaya Point. The courses will run for two weekends, the first on 3-4 June, the second on 17-18 June 2000.

The course is open to Club Members and their invited guests.

The course is open to students from 13 years of age and will include both sailing theory and practical “hands-on” experience on Lasers, under the strict supervision of experienced sailors, on the water in front of the Varuna Club.

Experienced international sailors will conduct the course, which will be both in English and Thai language and will comprise the fundamentals of sailing; rigging, and caring for your boat; an introduction to the international rules governing yacht racing; and safety at sea which is given high priority.

The course directors expect that those who undertake this training will develop an affinity for the sea and will emerge confident and skilled sailors. Certificates of competence will be awarded to all who have fulfilled the requirement of the course.

Although safety jackets are worn at all times - even by the instructor - when at sea, we require that all participants be able to swim at least 25 meters. All will be tested in the club’s swimming pool prior to the course.

Course fees:

2,500 Baht (for participants with own boat)

3,500 Baht (for participants without boat)

Registration

Registration is open from 10 April to 25 May 2000. Confirmation and payment of partial course fees (1,000 baht) should be completed before 25 May 2000 at Pattaya Club House.

Inquiries should be directed to:

* Royal Varuna Yacht Club Bangkok Office (02) 234-0385; fax (02) 237-6648

* Royal Varuna Yacht Club House Pattaya (038) 250-116; fax (038) 250-115

* The Laser fleet captain, Charlie Zbinden, at Tel/fax (01) 4018904, email: [email protected]

Jomtien Beach hosts Women’s Beach Volleyball Finals

Thailand Hobie 16 National Championship - Race Retains Title

by a special correspondent

Defending Hobie 16 Thailand champions David and Susan Race won the Nationals for the third time in this year’s regatta sailed from the Royal Varuna Yacht Club on Pattaya Bay.

Breezes throughout the three day event varied from five to fifteen knots and were often variable but in one race where a consistent 15 knot breeze prevailed, former champions Peter and Juliet Bates blitzed the fleet in their world-class style. Fortunately for the Races, Peter and Juliet were only able to sail 3 of the races, which left David and Susan with 1-1-1-1-2 and a total of 6 points.

Team Simon Prattley/Susanne Merz looked sure to take second place with 2-2-3-3-3 until the final race of the championship when Alain Brancart and Colleen Duggan held off the Races for a well-deserved first place, giving them 1-2-2-4-4. Both teams were now holding 13 points each but after count back, it was Alain and Colleen who scored second place overall.

John Marten, visiting from Singapore, suffered what he described as a “comedy of errors” and came in fourth with crew Aaron Henderson. Well fought battles took place throughout the fleet and all agreed that it was an exciting competition.

Catamarans invariably provide some of the most exhilarating racing and when the wind blew, the weekend proved no exception. In conjunction with the Hobie 16 championship, on separate starts, were Nacra 16sqs, 5.5s, Topcats and a Hobie 18 competing in the Open Multihull Championship.

After handicaps were applied, Alex Skaria was a convincing winner in his Nacra 16sq. Anders Widen and his daughter placed second in their Topcat+J, Alberto Cassio in his Nacra 16sq was third and Gary Baguley guided his Nacra 5.5, on a single-handed handicap, into fourth position.

Running a tight event, race officer Charlie Zbinden set two courses, either of which was used depending on wind strength. He made the competitors work to the end, holding three races on the final day to make up for races abandoned due to lack of wind on Sunday.

The regatta had more competitors than last year’s event, which marked a low point in Thai sailing due to the economic recession. Now Royal Varuna Yacht Club racing is regaining its momentum with more boats on the water, a backlog of good available boats and a strong junior contingent. This is evidenced by mid-year sailing courses being held on 3/4 and 17/18th June, to which guests are invited.

The Lancaster Lad does it again

Brooks sweeps the field

PSC TAGGS... golf from the Hare House

Wednesday, May 3 - Pattaya Country Club (Medal Stroke)

1st: Norman Brooks, 69 net
2nd: Yazuo Suzuki, 71 net
3rd: Mark Campbell, 71 net
4th: Derek Reaper, 72 net

The Hare House Gang played the obligatory tune-up round at Pattaya Country Club on Wednesday, May 3, in preparation for Papa Ray’s Birthday Tournament. The course was in good shape with the rain-softened greens holding approach shots better than usual. Day’s end found an international leader board with the Welsh Wizard Norman Brooks holding together to finish the day with a fine three under par effort and his first TAGGS win in the year 2000.

Norman spent Songkran in the wilds of Phnom Penh getting his batteries re-charged and he came out smoking. He recovered from a double bogey on the Par 3 number 5, to make pars on five of the next six holes. Whatever he was doing in Cambodia caught up with him on the 18th hole where he had what he thought was a disastrous triple bogey. No problem. His 86 off 17 held up to “sweep” the field and a well deserved win.

Second place went to Japan’s Yazuo Suzuki, who was adding to his shirt collection with his fourth consecutive trip on the second tier of the podium. Yazuo shot an 87 off 16 to edge out American Mark Campbell in a count back.

Fitness Tips: Fit bits

by David Garred
Club Manager Dusit Resort Sports Club

Walking can prevent diabetes in women

G’Day Pattaya,

Late onset, or type 2 diabetes is associated with increases in obesity. Obesity in turn is affected by inactivity. Hence, it’s clear that inactivity is a risk factor for diabetes through its effects on obesity. However, recent research has shown that inactivity could also be an independent risk factor for the disease. Being inactive could increase the risk of diabetes even in the absence of excessive body weight. This was shown recently in a long-term study of over 70,000 nurses in the United States who have been studied now for over 8 years. Women were asked in an initial survey how physically active they were. This was the used to test activity levels of those who contracted late onset diabetes in the 8 years of follow up. Women who were most active had only half the chance of contracting the disease as those who were least active. Intensity of activity also helped, with an even greater reduction in those who claimed to walk faster. The total amount appears to be more relevant than the intensity of walking, showing for the first time that women, like men, can reduce diabetes risk through exercise. Those with diabetes in the family should be encouraged to have an active lifestyle - even if they do have trouble reducing weight.

The implication of this is that walking is recommended for all women, to prevent diabetes in later life.

So girls and guys, get up and get going for a stroll and do it regularly, the life you improve may be your own. Grab your significant other and go for a sunset stroll on the beach somewhere around here, enjoy a view while you are taking care of yourself. You might even be lucky enough to turn it into quality time.

Carpe’ Diem

Informal Meeting of Pattaya Sports Club

An informal meeting of the Pattaya Sports Club will be held on Wednesday, 24th May at the Town in Town Hotel at 7pm to discuss the proposed purchase of land and the construction of a building for the future administration of the Club.

The purpose of the meeting is to inform members of the details of this project in advance of the Annual General Meeting to be held on 21st June at which time the Elective Members will be asked to approve the expenditure. The Executive Committee is aware of the importance of the subject to members, and to the Club and would like to have your opinion prior to the AGM. This should ensure that all those interested can have their questions answered in advance and full information will be supplied.

The information package will be available at our administration office from Wednesday, 17th May and also at the meeting on the night.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Foul day for Ferrari

The Spanish Grand Prix was another upset for the Ferrari team, with a steamroller 1-2 finish by the McLaren Mercedes cars of Mikka Hakkinen and David Coulthard. For this meeting at least, Coulthard was the sentimental hero, having survived the plane crash where the two pilots of his chartered Lear jet were killed, and competing with a fractured rib.

All week, the Ferrari of Michael Schumacher had been dominant, and his pole position from the Saturday Qualifying seemed to set seal to the outcome. A good start saw him lead Hakkinen from his brother Ralf in the BMW Williams, after a brilliant slingshot off the line, with Coulthard and then Barichello in the second Ferrari.

David Coulthard finished second despite a fractured rib suffered in a plane crash.

On a circuit where it is notoriously difficult to pass, Schumacher seemed destined for the win, but a botched pit stop where the refueller was bowled over and then a deflating rear tyre saw Schumacher’s chances deflate as well. With his Ferrari slowing, the dice of the day was between the Schumacher brothers, ending up with Michael shouldering Ralf out of the way to let Barichello through and into third position.

At the end of the 65 lap race, Barichello held on to 3rd, with Ralf Schumacher 4th from Michael Schumacher and Heinz-Harald Frentzen in the Jordan taking 6th and the final championship point. Young Jenson Button in the other BMW Williams being very unlucky, expiring three laps from home while in a comfortable 6th place.

After the race, Michael Schumacher was philosophical, “You cannot always have lucky races and today’s race did not go so well for us. Maybe it had something to do with my tyre choice, but there were also other factors. But considering the problems we had, at least we have scored some points. We had a problem at the first stop and that gave us problems for the second one also. At the first one, I felt I had driven over something and I looked in my mirror and saw a mechanic on the ground. I asked the team what happened but they did not reply. Then I had a slow puncture and it was obvious that the race was out of our hands. I am not angry. I took two important points and we are still looking very strong for the rest of the season. As for the move with my brother, all I can say is that racing is racing.” Spoken like the true professional he is.

The next round of the Championship will be held in Germany at the Nurburgring Circuit next weekend, May 21st.

Current standings in the Championship are now: Michael Schumacher 36, Hakkinen 22, Coulthard 20, Ralf Schumacher 13, Barichello 9. In the Manufacturers’ Championship it is now very close with Ferrari 45, McLaren Mercedes 42, BMW Williams 16.

Copyright 2000  Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
370/7-8 Pattaya Second Road, Pattaya City, Chonburi 20260, Thailand 
Tel.66-38 411 240-1, 413 240-1, Fax:66-38 427 596; e-mail: [email protected]
Updated by Chinnaporn Sangwanlek, assisted by Boonsiri Suansuk.