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Of Nacras and Topcats: Royal Varuna Action
story and photos by Peter Cummins
It was one of the Royal Varuna Yacht Club’s
best-inscribed events for a long time, when some 45 craft and 15
wind-surfers sailed off the Club, in clear weather, slight seas and
moderate southerlies, for the Varuna Cup 2002.
The first shipment of new craft had just arrived at the
Royal Varuna Yacht Club: the first new boats to be imported for several
years. The anxious sailors could hardly wait to tear the wrapping and
boxes off the fleet of Nacra 16 Squares - the hottest and most popular
sailing machine around these parts - and “test the waters”, so to
speak.
A long
line of Nacras keep out the Hobie Cat
And of course, there was not just one event, but two:
the Varuna Cup and the Topcat Challenge which saw some ‘old’ and some
‘new’ faces in the winners’ circle.
Maestro Gary Baguley bolted home in the Varuna Cup Open
Class, with five straight wins from rapidly rising Nacra 16 Square star
Alberto Cassio, and Les Nyerges coming back to race after a long absence.
Virginie Lacrosse did likewise in the Optimist Class,
finishing with a perfect zero score, to beat Antoine de Cuyper, Joe
Connelly and Kevin Suama.
Elsewhere, in the Laser Division, it was Siri Chandler
thriving in the light conditions who easily beat erstwhile Laser regional
champion, Morton Jakobsen, taking a break from the English winter and
Marco Miagostovich, taking a break from Bangkok, third and U Thiha,
fourth.
The Races, David and Susan, demolished the
badly-depleted Hobie Cat fleet, also with a zero score, winning from
perennial Hobie Catamariner Alain Brancart with Carrie Shannon while
Varuna Flag Commodore Don Mackenzie and Simon Carey were third.
Sponsors for the two-day regatta were the Amari Orchid
Resort, Coca Cola, Groovy Map - “fun mapped out” - Packworks Quality -
“Products by the Bear”. Boonrawd Brewery sponsored Singha beer.
The Topcat Challenge
The Topcat Challenge 2002 came right after the Varuna
Cup. While Gary Baguley was wrestling with his new Nacra on the Royal
Varuna lawn, the Challenge opened the way for Les Nyerges, racing Gary’s
old Nacra 16 Square, to rack up his first win after an absence of more
than two years.
That other Nacra 16 Sq. supremo, Alberto Cassio came in
second, just ahead of the Antony Chapman/Naifah Lumliengpol team racing a
Nacra 5.5, just ahead of Olaf Reese, also soloing on the 16 Square. But,
as the cliche would have it: “you can’t keep a good man down”.
Baguley, having finished assembling his new 16 SQ., joined the fray out on
the Gulf, winning the last two races and finishing fourth overall.
The Topcat Challenge is the annual event, designed by
the Top Catter himself, Anders Widen who now resides in London. It is the
legacy of the Topcat World Championships held at Pattaya several years
ago, which, when it was finished, donated funds to Royal Varuna for an
annual race. The Topcats were not exactly ubiquitous and it was only Harry
Ghoos who struggled to uphold the Topcat red-banded sail, among the rest
of the felines on the water. Harry’s placing is not being announced.
VFW Post 9876 jumps back into second place
Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League
Captain Morn led her VFW Post 9876 team with a 202 game
and 558 series to regain second place and move ahead of Shakey Pete’s in
the Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League. Jim rolled a 524 series to
help the VFW team take four points from Winchester Club. Sven had a 511
series for the Winchester team.
 200
bowlers: Ken, Morn, Mio and Kiell.
First place team House of the Golden Coin won three
points from the Sultans of Swing with Mio once again leading her team with
steady games of 201, 188, 180, and a 569 series. Ken, Sultan of Swing, had
a 216 last game to help his team win one point.
Cafe Ole whitewashed Shakey Pete’s taking all four
points and knocking them into third place. The lanes must have been tough
for these teams as no really good scores were registered in the match.
Cafe Kronborg won three points from the Three Sisters
behind a 521 series rolled by Konrad and Captain Kran’s 514-pin count.
Newcomer Kiell had a 214 game and 570 series for the Three Sisters and Tue
chipped in a 507 series.
League Standings
| Team |
Points |
Points - 15 Feb |
|
House of the Golden Coin
VFW Post 9876
Shakey Pete’s
Winchester Club
Sultans of Swing
Cafe Ole
Three Sisters
Cafe Kronborg |
48 - 36
47 - 38
44 - 40
41.5 - 42.5
41.5 - 42.5
39.5 - 44.5
37.5 - 46.5
37 - 47 |
3 - 1
4 - 0
0 - 4
0 - 4
1 - 3
4 - 0
1 - 3
3 - 1 |
Big fish fights back
Ralf
Bernard, fishing from Arthur Mason’s boat Talay Queen with some Canadian
visitors, caught a magnificent sailfish measuring over 2 and a half meters
in length; the largest in a long time. When hooked, the fish took off,
stripping line off the reel and forcing Captain Witt to quickly up anchor
to follow the fish. After an hour’s chase, the fish was finally subdued.
Exhausted but delighted, Bernard declared that the day’s fishing at
Samasan had been better than in Hawaii where he recently holidayed.
Poltony’s Restaurant and Mini-golf to host mini-golf tournament to raise funds for HeartT 2000
PolTony’s Restaurant and Mini-Golf on Thappraya Road,
South Pattaya will host a mini-golf tournament to raise funds in support
of the Help Ensure AIDS Rescue in Thailand Together (known as the HeartT
2000) project. The committee hosted a small reception in the restaurant at
Poltony’s where a presentation was given about HeartT 2000 by the
founder Dr. Philippe Seur.
Dr. Phillipe Seur treats AIDS patients, and has over
400 patients from around Thailand. He often prescribes the much-needed
cocktail of drugs currently used to treat patients with HIV. This project
relies solely on sponsorship to keep it going.
The mini-golf tournament at PolTony’s is aimed at
providing financial assistance to Dr. Seur’s project and will take place
on Friday and Saturday the 22nd and 23rd of February. Entrance fees are
200 baht for adults and 100 baht for children. Tickets are available at
PolTony’s. For further information, call Pol or Tony on 038 250 318.
African tricks too much for sleepy Havana
Soho F.C. 3 - Havana F.C. 1
Bangkok based Africans, Soho, inflicted Havana’s
second league defeat of the season in week 13 of the MBMG Casuals League,
moving the Africans to second in the table and pushing Havana back to
third. It could well have been a far different story but for a catalogue
of missed chances and some fine saves by the Africans acrobatic goalkeeper
Kamo, who not only pulled off a string of remarkable saves but also did
his best to score by taking any free kicks that were just outside the
Havana area.
Notable absentees for Havana meant this was always
going to be a difficult match. The missing men included goalkeeper Samarth
and the midfield trio of Nicholson, Portugais and Williams. In goal for
his second appearance of the season came Italian lightweight Gilberto,
into midfield Mark Taylor and player coach Derek Armour who, after making
several cameo performances as substitute made his first start of the
season. Up front the prolific John Parkin and the old fox Dale Farrington
were back in tandem.
With the International School of the Regents pitch in
perfect condition Havana kicked off defending the castle end and were soon
finding lots of space on the right side of the Africans’ defense.
Farrington in particular was reveling in this space, as would have the
missing Nicholson, and within the first 10 minutes Farrington had three
chances to open the scoring. However, his finishing was not up to his
usual standard. With one of the chances he did force the keeper into
making a fine save but the other chances went begging.
More chances to open the scoring were wasted by Parkin,
Con Giatas and Paul Crouch before the Africans took the lead on 25
minutes. What seemed to be a harmless cross shot came sneaking into the
corner of the Havana goal.
More disaster followed 2 minutes later as the Africans
scored number 2. A corner from the right, Gilberto elected to punch as
challenged by the African center forward Ali who ended up in the Havana
net screaming in agony. Expecting the referee to blow his whistle to give
assistance to the stricken striker Havana seemed to stop playing allowing
Kante to score. Ali then made a remarkable recovery to celebrate the goal.
In the second half and with the comfort of a two-goal
advantage the Africans began to show a few tricks. Knocking the ball
about, keeping possession and giving the huffing and puffing Giatas and
Crouch the run around in midfield. Without really threatening to score the
Africans were content to keep possession and let the clock run down. With
ten minutes to go Armour had a great chance to pull a goal back. Put clean
through by Giatas for a one on one with Kamo six yards from goal, Armour
struck his shot cleanly but the flying Kamo pulled of yet another fine
save. As coach Armour put it, “ The best save I have ever seen.”
The Africans started to play keep ball again and this
time scored. With the Havana defense stretched, leaving fullback Kevin
Pullen to mark three African attackers, Kante took advantage and headed in
number three.
John Parkin was then booked after Mark Taylor chopped
down the Africans full back. A case of mistaken identity. Taylor then
found himself in box with a great chance but fired over.
In the dying seconds Havana captain did what no other
Havana player had done all day. Won a 50 -50 ball on the edge of the
Africans penalty area. The ball broke to Farrington and it looked like he
might score but, low on confidence, he delayed his shot. Fortunately for
Havana goal poacher Parkin stepped in to fire passed Kamo.
The last action of the day saw the Africans fullback
cautioned for a bad tackle on Farrington. This challenge left Farrington
with six stud marks on his shin, one for each of his chances that went
begging.
Man of the Match - Kamo
Crowd - 80
Good week in the sun for Ebrahim
PSC Golf from the Cafe Kronborg
Monday 11 Feb: Noble Place (Stroke)
Noble Place was host for 38 players in two flights: A
flight 0-17, and B flight 18 up. Big hitter Dan Lindbeck took the A flight
with a net 68, Choo Choo Dave Addison was second on net 70, Don Richardson
third net 73 and Willie Mooney fourth on net 74.
Harold Gruber took the B flight with a net 69, Howie
Forrest second net 70, Dave Richardson third net 74 from Denis Curtain
fourth on count back net 74.
Near pins: A2 Dan Lindbeck, A6 Paul Coutoumas, B2
Ebrahim, and B5 Ebrahim.
Long putts: A9 John Gardner and B9 Ebrahim.
Thursday 14 Feb: Khao Kheow (Stableford)
I once spent 5 years in the middle of a desert,
hundreds of kilometres of sand in every direction; the heat was intense
and one of the things you learned was to take cover when you could and to
make certain you took maximum fluids.
 Ebrahim
won 3 technical prizes on Monday and A flight Thursday.
Surprisingly, we built a golf course, only nine holes
but on every tee box was placed a big water container filled with ice and
water so you could keep up your fluid intake. Lesson one in the heat:
cover your head and take plenty of fluids.
Here in Thailand the problem is well recognised, so
every few holes they have a rest stop where they sell water and drinks
such as Gatorade to put the salts back in your body; very important as it
can be extremely humid at times.
In 17 years in the sun of the Middle East I never
suffered from heat stroke but here I had severe sunstroke last year and
was extremely distressed. I always take electrolyte powder and drink as
much as I can.
 Thursday’s
B flight winner Hiroshi Segara.
Fifty-six golfers of various ages, but mostly ‘no
longer young’, played B & C courses, all starting on B course from
10:30 a.m. on in groups of 4. Thanks go to the staff of Khao Kheow at this
point for the extra effort they put in to get us the extra tee times by
putting us off B first and I believe specially opening it.
Rushing to the first tee after sorting out the start
times I realised I had not bought water but no problems we would stop soon
for water. Unfortunately not only were all the drink stops on B closed but
the stop between B & C had no cold water. My caddie helped me out by
letting me share her water after 7 holes when I was gasping for water. A
simple “sorry drink stops are closed” would have allowed all the
golfers to take out extra water and saved me all the flak that came my way
from overheated golfers.
Khao Kheow is a great golf course and those golfers who
finished played some good golf. A flight was won by Ebrahim, who had on
Monday won 2 near pins and a long putt, with 35 points. Second was Maurice
Herberge on 34 points on count back over Don Richardson also 34 points.
Fourth was Rick Sommers on 33 points who beat Daniel Lundberg on count
back.
B flight was won by Hiroshi Segara on 38 points on
count back over 2nd John Cahill also 38 points. Third was Toy Theobald
with 37 points and fourth ‘The Admiral’ Dave Richardson.
Near pins: B3 Alan Winch, B8 Jim Boyd, C3 Goran Jonsson,
and C8 Fred Theobald.
Long putts: B9 Trevor Ellison and C9 Mick Barlow.
Experience wins at Treasure Hill
IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the Bunker
The picturesque and wickedly challenging course at
Treasure Hill Golf Club was the venue for the Bunker Boys and Girls on the
day of the Chinese New Year. Forty-two golfers picked up the gauntlet and
took on the course, many without caddies, as the club had chosen to give
them a holiday for the occasion!
The course can be beaten by a thinking golfer with
experience on the subtly changing greens and experience was to show when,
in division one, Michael Dige produced the round of the day, gross 76, net
70, to net the top spot. He was a full six shots ahead of the runners-up,
Bob Morrison and elder statesman Norman Brooks, on 76.
In division two another wise man, George Meigh,
produced a good round of net 73, just pipping Mam Trayling and Frank
Neilsen, both on 75.
The two’s were recorded, all on the very short sixth,
and the winners were Stan Goodwin, Bob Morrison, Dave Spendley and John
King. The Bunker Banana Booby went to Terry Phur for his appalling putting
(no caddy of course!) but it could have gone to many others for the same
reason. The wisest Bunker Boy was probably the Pathfinder, Chris John, who
decided against playing there in the first place, instead enjoying a
stress-free day at forgiving Phoenix.
Catch the Bunker Boys at http://www.thebunkerboys.com
Bionic Allan Pearce clobbers the field
Three Sisters Golf
On Monday the 11th, the Three Sisters group met at Siam
Country Club for their weekly bragging rights session. Bionic Man Alan
Pearce, with both knees replaced, clobbered the rest of the field and came
in with 42 points. Alan kicked butt as he passed up Bobby Clark by 3
points.
 Allan
Pearce bragged about his 42 points while Mo cried about his 22 at the
‘Caddy Shack 2’ after Golf at Siam CC 11 February.
On a little outing at Phoenix on Thursday the 14th,
Alan again kicked some butt again with his bionic knees and humbled the
field with a gross 62! Okay Steve, where’s the pencil?
Both Derrick Brooks and Doug Powell started well on
Monday but faded on the back nine - better luck next week.
Last week Big Moberg floated to the top like cream -
but this week the cream turned and sank to the bottom in a hurry when Big
Mo hit the bottom with 22 points. Moberg was trying to beach himself and
tried hanging on to trees, and even tried carving out ditches, but the
situation only made his game worse. I’m sure that next week will be
better - I can’t see Big Mo at the bottom for two weeks running.
Fun was had by all at Caddy Shack Two as Dene Mundy
supplied the snacks for the week.
A tale of Two Tough Courses
IPGC TAGGS Golf from The Haven
Monday 11th February - Phoenix Mountain & Lakes (Monthly Medal)
Ladies Division
1st: Lamud Lindborg, 69
2nd Division
1st: Al Rolnik, 71 cb9 31
2nd: Marc Jernigan, 71 cb9 34.5
3rd: Einar Widness, 71 cb9 37
1st Division
1st: Kevin Ward, 71
2nd: Phil Groves, 72
3rd: Barry Winton, 74
The monthly medal played from the blue tees is always a
tough test of golf and is even more so when it is over the Mountain and
Lakes courses at Phoenix, as evidenced by the winning scores, only one
under par in both the gentlemen’s divisions, despite the strong field of
golfers. The first group were led home by newcomer Kevin Ward playing off
a 4 handicap and edging out Phil Groves and Barry Winton with a very
creditable gross 75.
Big Al Rolnik, who managed to score a great 39 on the
back nine and take the prized medal after the count back, headed the
second division trailed by Marc Jernigan and Einar Widness, the latter who
recorded his first visit to the winner’s podium.
In the Ladies division, Lamud Lindborg again showed her
ever increasing skills, to record the best score of the day and can look
forward to another decrease in her handicap that is going down by leaps
and bounds.
Kevin also scored the only two of the day to make it a
first visit to The Haven to be remembered. Before he received his trophy
and pool winnings, Richard Livingston, the resident PGA professional,
welcomed him as a new member.
Wednesday 13th
February - Sattahip (Stableford)
2nd Division
1st: B.J. Smith, 36
2nd: Bill Campbell, 32
3rd: Stefan Hoge, 31 cb9 17
4th: Dave Spendley, 31 cb9 16
5th: Einar Widness, 31 cb9 13
1st Division
1st: Jeff McLaury, 36
2nd: Oradee Kaesavane, 34
3rd: John Clements, 32
4th: Terry Minnighen, 31 cb9 16
5th: Don Scott, 31 cb9 15
Playing over the new layout of the North and West
courses proved to be a long and arduous trek for the majority of the
participants, which was not helped by the lack of golf carts, due to a
large competition being held simultaneously over the other two nines. The
par 72 certainly played its full length, and this was borne out by the
winners only managing to equal par in both divisions.
B.J. Smith again showed that he will soon be coming
down, playing a very steady and meticulous round, without any major
disasters. Bill Campbell and Stefan Hoge were left someway behind over the
back nine, but still managed to secure their podium positions.
In the first division, Jeff McLaury showed a welcome
return to form, demoting Oradee Kaesavane to second place, with John
Clements third a little further back, closely followed by Terry Minnighen
and git-fiddle virtuoso Don Scott.
Lars Schackt, Dan Maclean, Oradee and Don Scott shared
the huge twos pool.
Back at The Haven, Richard welcomed new members Bill
Campbell and Glenn Ford, whilst welcoming back Mick Barlow and Stefan Hoge.
Claude Martin wins the Asean Explorer Open Golf Tournament 2002
Claude Martin beat 33 other competitors take the title
of champion in the Asean Explorer Open Golf Tournament for 2002.
 Nick
Hurn (left) presents the championship trophy to Claude Martin, winner of
the Asean Explorer Golf Open 2002.
The Asean Explorer Open Golf Tournament is annual event
where enthusiastic golfers from Britain tour the Eastern Seaboard golf
courses in a round robin Stableford event over 2 weeks, playing at Siam
Country Club, Burapha Golf Course, Treasure Hills and Eastern Star.
The Haven on Soi 13 was the venue for the prize giving
presentation ceremony, where competitors, organizers and significant other
halves enjoyed a buffet style dinner before proceeding with the into the
formalities.
MC and tour organizer, Nick Hurn remarked that is good
to see a mixture of old and new faces during the event, with this year
including four lady golfers.
First up was the technical prizes; after receiving a
nearest the pin prize, Judith Inghar said should couldn’t accept the
prize without singing for the crowd, whereupon she was aptly joined by the
entire group for the chorus.
The Results:
Overall for 4 Rounds: 1. Claude Martin, 2. Dougie Riach,
3. Terry Dalton
Nearest the pins winners were won by Mashi Kaneta,
Claude Martin, Pete Sumner, Neil Burnell, Judith Ingham, Brian Kelly,
Derek Trees, Cedrick Ingham, and Chris Fitzgerald
Low gross, and winner of the wooden putter was Herbie Herbert.
The Square Ring
by Howie Reed
The State of Georgia (USA) has licensed Mike Tyson to
fight, indicating their opinion of (not necessarily in this order) the
Nevada Athletic Commission, political leaders and the Association of
Boxing Commissioners. “He paid his $10.00 and he proved he is physically
able to fight. He was issued a license.”
It was Georgia that licensed Muhammad Ali to fight
after his three year absence. That followed Ali’s “I got nothing
against them Vietnamese” comment. Ali’s comeback fight was October 26,
1970 in Atlanta Georgia when he TKO’d Jerry Quarry (53-9-4) in 3.
If Tyson and Lewis fight in Atlanta it would be held in
the Georgia Dome sometime first week in June. The Lewis Camp wants to
avoid the World Cup. Guess the mindset is that English Hooligans would
prefer a “pint and a kick” over watching “the greatest heavyweight
in history” even if he is via Canada and Jamaica.
Patrick’s Boxing Promotions is coming back with their
second promotion March 8th and the Pattaya Mail’s boxing guru
will be absent. Sad but true. The card, which will be held at “The
Thepprasit Stadium” and called, clever enough, the “Theprasit Stadium
Boxing Challenge” will include both Muay Thai and international fights.
For promoter/boxer, Patrick “The Belgian” it will be his last tune up
fight before he returns to his homeland for his final trip into the
squared circle which might include a world title. Boxers from Carry Boy
Gym, Bangkok, ISS Team as well as France, Italy, Slovakia, England,
Australia and of course Belgium are scheduled to be on the card. There are
only 70 VIP seats available at 800 baht with economy seating at 700 baht.
Want tickets? Call Patrick: 01-687-24-10.
Each winning fighter gets a belt while each looser
walks away with a dust catcher (trophy). As with other Patrick promotions
there’ll be “dancing girls” (“walking to music”) between bouts.
The traditional ring girls will represent the many sponsors and some even
carrying numbers over their heads to signify rounds. Australian Aaron
Dixon who won on the Brute Force Challenge card with a KO will be joined
with two other “farangs” on the card. Coming in to referee is Mr.
Tillemans from Belgium. One of the judges will be Bob Logist, also
Belgian, who refereed Patrick’s last fight in December.
Twin brothers Chana and Songkram Porpaoin, both ex
world champs, celebrated the Chinese New Year in style. They both won at
Yaowarat, Bangkok. Two time former WBA 105-lb champ Chana Porpaoin
(47-2-1) with a 6 th round TKO
over Filipino Jack Comain. Brother Songkram (23-4-1, 11 KOs) came back to
stop ABC lightfly champ Pikmy Muangchaiyaphum (14-3-1, 7KOs) in the 5th.
The Porpaoins were the second world champion twins, following the Galaxy
Brothers (Kaosai and Kaokor).
Next Wednesday night in Bangkok (as made famous in the
song “One Night in Bangkok”) there’s a PABA Flyweight championship
box fight. Denkaosan Kaovichit (23-0) takes on Hamadani Tumagola (11-4-2).
They say that confession is good for the soul.
Sometimes I get stuff off the net and just print it. Here’s one that I
liked. “Elongated WBC #9 ranked southpaw Takashi Koshimoto (29-1-2, 14
KOs), 126, kept sticking southpaw jabs all night to retain his OPBF
feather belt by a unanimous decision over Thai ruler Saengsi Poh
Chaiwattana (11-5, 7 KOs), 126, over 10 monotonous frames.” Kinda paints
a picture.
Other results: Unbeaten OPBF #7 ranked lightweight
prospect Dainoshin Kuma (19-0, 9 KOs), 131, needed just 91 seconds of the
1 st to dispatch Thai #2
super-feather contender Tyson Sorjaturong (13-4, 10 KOs). WBC #16 Takuya
Kiya (19-4-1, 14 KOs), 116.25, sent Thai #9 Saengcharoen Mahasaph Condo
(3-5-1, 1 KO), 116, to the canvas twice before his 8th
round KO. Shunsuke Ito (10-1-1, 7 KOs), 139, continued his KO streak by
halting Thai Chalaamdam Sistyatraditrakam, 139, at 2:50 of the 6th.
Hold on kids it gets worse. Unbeaten Japanese #3 fly
Noriyuki Komatsu (12-0-5, 5 KOs), 115, landed a haymaker left hook that
sent unorthodox Thai fly champ Phisetsh Voh Suraphol, 114.25, sprawling to
the deck at 1:41 of the 4th round. Hard-hitting Japanese #4, Indonesian
import Alvarado Ishimaru, 138.25, blasted out Thai Ramsongkram
Suwanharnjabee, 140, by dropping him twice and for the count at 1:17 of
round 1.
Japs 5, Indonesian Import 1, Thailand NIL. What is
going on?
Pattaya Mail PC Classic: All Go at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort
by Peter Cummins
It is all about to happen - again! The Eighth
‘Pattaya Mail PC Classic Royal Cliff Beach Resort International
Regatta’ is set to be sailed on Saturday the ninth of March off the
Royal Cliff. The race management team expects a big fleet, enhanced by a
shipment of Nacra Catamarans which arrived recently at Royal Varuna Yacht
Club, located in the bay contiguous to that of the Royal Cliff Beach
Resort.
Khun
Panga with the winners at the 2001 regatta
At this stage, it is anticipated that there will be
four types of craft competing: Multihulls, Monohulls (Lasers), Optimists
and Windsurfers, “but that could change,” says Royal Varuna Yacht Club
sailing secretary Richard Van Den Heuvel. “It will depend on the number
of entries which, in some cases, may be sub-divided into other classes,”
he added.
Sponsors are lining up behind this great yacht-racing
event which will propel Pattaya’s image world-wide as a most desirable
marine sports and family-oriented tourist destination.
The Pattaya Mail newspaper, the Royal Cliff
Beach Resort, Thai Fuji Xerox, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the
Office of the Governor of Chonburi, Carlsberg, Coca Cola and, of course,
the managing authority, the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, have all pledged
support.
The PC Classic: Genesis of a Yacht Race
The “PC” in the title of the regatta stands for
Peter Cummins, who has been the resident yachting scribe in Thailand,
covering not just yachting, but many other marine-related activities, for
the Bangkok Post, The Nation, other regional newspapers,
magazines and the visual media, since the 1970s and, more recently, for
the Pattaya Mail and the Pattaya Mail TV Channel.
 The
new, sleek, hi-tech Nacra 16 Squares: new ‘kids on the block’
In the course of this, Peter has photographed and
publicised almost every national championship in the Kingdom, many events
in the region - Malaysia and Singapore, particularly - the Olympic Games
and Paralympics in Sydney in 2000 and the finals of the America’s Cup in
Auckland, also in 2000 - the only Thai-based journalist ever invited to
cover the America’s Cup finals.
Peter has just returned from the fifteenth successive
Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, dedicated to His Majesty the King, this year
with BMW as the principal sponsor, as well as other ongoing supporters of
this now world-famous event. His coverage always provides quality
publicity to the individual sponsors and, certainly, presents a positive
image of Thailand through the international press and media.
 PC
driving hard at the 2001 Regatta
Peter is a former Commodore of the Royal Varuna Yacht
Club (1979-1980) and, in recognition of his contributions to the
development of yacht racing in the Kingdom through writing and
photography, he was awarded an Honorary Life Membership. The Royal Varuna
Club, founded in July 1957, is the Kingdom’s largest and most active
yacht club which, over the years, has been host club to innumerable
national, regional and world championships, including several South East
Asian and Asian Games yachting sections.
At the same time as the Varuna award, the Yacht Racing
Association of Thailand, the national authority, granted Peter a life
membership. Both these honours were made in 1995, when a regatta was also
initiated to celebrate the scribe’s 60th birthday - the “PC Classic”
- which was inaugurated in March 1995. As Peter Malhotra, the managing
director of the Pattaya Mail Publishing Company said it so
succinctly just last year, “When he had reached the ripe young age of 60
in 1995, the Royal Varuna Yacht Club decided to give its former commodore
a real ‘sail off’ - into glorious retirement (from the United
Nations). Sail off he did; but into retirement - even glorious? NEVER!”
Peter emphasized.
 The
Royal Cliff Beach Resort: what a place for a “clean, green” regatta
By the end of the sixth sailing in 1999, the regatta
had attracted the attention of two major forces on the Eastern Seaboard,
the Pattaya Mail and the Royal Cliff Beach Resort. Both known for
their dedication to a “clean, green Pattaya”, it is little wonder that
they offered total support to an activity that must be one of mankind’s
most environmentally-friendly pursuits: yacht racing - a perfect activity
for Pattaya.
Thus, for the seventh regatta in 2001, almost forty
craft, from neighbouring Royal Varuna Yacht Club - ranging from the tiny
training dinghy the 2.4 m. Optimist, to the mighty 5.8 m. racing machine,
the Nacra 5.8 Catamaran - numbering 100 sailors from 15 nations, sailed to
the start line off the Royal Cliff. The first ‘Pattaya Mail PC Classic,
Royal Cliff Beach Resort International Regatta’ was well and truly
launched that sparkling day, the 24th of February 2001.
With additional support from Carlsberg and Coca Cola
and management by the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, the regatta was a huge
success. Panga Vathanakul, the very able and most attractive managing
director of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, was most happy with the outcome,
the Royal Cliff’s first venture into yacht racing since the regatta
celebrating the opening of the Royal Wing in 1986.
Not only was the big crowd of spectators along the
Cliff’s lovely sea-wall area entertained with a marvellous and colourful
spectacle, but Khun Panga and Andrew Wood, the resort’s general manager
were happy that so many guests mingled with the sailors, the sailing
committee, supporters and observers of the event.
Support from the public sector, too
Both the governor of Chonburi Province and the acting
governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand are adamant in their
enthusiasm for an event which will present such a good image of Pattaya to
the world-at-large.
As H.E. Chadej Insawang, governor of Chonburi observed
last week, “With the efforts by my office to present a new image of
Pattaya, dedicated to presenting a green, family-friendly holiday
destination, I fully endorse this regatta which contributes so much to our
resolve,” he said.
“But it is not just colour and action,” the
governor continued. “It is also the press and media coverage which the
Regatta attracts and which present a most positive side of Pattaya to the
world-at-large. For this we are grateful to the sponsors and all those who
organize and participate in the event,” he added.
“I feel that the sport of sailing, yacht racing and
the related water-based activities are making a big contribution to
Pattaya and the Eastern Seaboard generally and the Office of the Governor
of Chonburi gives full support to the this spectacular event,” Governor
Chadej concluded.
Juthamas Siriwan, deputy governor for marketing and
acting governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) also sees great
benefit to the tourism sector as a result of the regatta, “Since events
last September, Thailand is still a most sought-after destination,
considered by the tourism industry world-wide as a safe place to visit,”
said Khun Juthamas. “Pattaya, in particular, with a good year-round
climate, warm waters and, now, a much cleaner environment, is still a
favourite resort, especially during the long winter months of the Northern
Hemisphere,” the acting governor pointed out.
“As part of our ongoing promotions, the Tourism
Authority of Thailand has always supported marine-related activities such
as the world-famous Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, held each year to honour
His Majesty the King, himself a Gold Medallist helmsman,” she explained.
“Therefore, we are most happy to support the
forthcoming ‘Pattaya Mail PC Classic Royal Cliff Beach Resort
International Regatta’ which will bring in an influx of visitors from
some 15 countries to compete on the waters off the Royal Cliff Resort,”
Khun Juthamas added.
“This event will also present a clean, colourful
spectacle for all who attend, as well as for the media who will have the
opportunity to promote the new image of Pattaya and its environs to a
larger audience around the world,” the acting governor concluded.
This year’s Pattaya Mail PC Classic is scheduled for
Saturday, 9 March and a big fleet is expected, with wind-surfers from the
newly-formed Blue Lagoon Watersports Club and the fleets from the Royal
Varuna Yacht Club bringing the action, colour and excitement very close to
the shore off the Royal Cliff.
Andrew Wood anticipates an even bigger and better event
than last year and hopes many will be involved on and off the water, for a
superb activity which promotes a Pattaya we all want: clean, sparkling and
healthy.
For more information as to how you can participate with
sponsorship and/or join the regatta, please contact Andrew Wood, general
manager, Royal Cliff Beach Resort, Pattaya City 20260, tel. 038 250421,
fax: 038 250511, 038 250513, e-mail: [email protected]
Happy Birthday President Carl
(L-R)
Ken Crow, President Carl Engel, Sopin Thappajug (Noi), Supatra Traifuen
(La), Wannapa Wannasri (Ju), Past President Peter Malhotra, and James
Montgomery.
Carl Engel, president of the Pattaya
Sports Club celebrated his birthday on Valentine’s Day. At a special
meeting called to plan the grand opening celebrations of the PSC
clubhouse, Sopin Thappajug and Wannapa Wannasri surprised the birthday boy
with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Khun Noi thanked the president and
members of the Pattaya sports Club for their untiring work in helping the
underprivileged in the community and wished the president good health and
happiness.
All PSC members are invited to attend new clubhouse grand opening
PSC reaches another milestone this weekend
Pattaya Sports Club president Carl Engel and the PSC
building committee invites all PSC members and their guests to attend the
grand opening celebrations of PSC’s new clubhouse on 3rd Road this
weekend. The PSC will officially open the administration building on
Sunday, February 24th.
 PSC
President Carl Engel (2nd left) and the building committee, PSC clubhouse
building chairman Dick Caggiano (right), architect and designer of the
building Peder Gjelstrup (2nd right) and PSC secretary George Bennison
(left) invite all PSC members to attend the grand opening ceremonies of
the new PSC clubhouse on Sunday, February 24.
Carl Engel, President of the Pattaya Sports Club said,
“this is the third milestone in the history of the Pattaya Sports
Club.” The first being 22 years ago when the club was formed; the next
was in the mid 1990’s when the Pattaya Sports Club was officially
registered as a non-profit organization. The third milestone is the
official opening of the clubhouse this Sunday.
President Carl expressed his heart-felt thanks to all
the members of the PSC who contributed towards making the new clubhouse
become a reality, “We wouldn’t have it (the clubhouse) if it hadn’t
been for their work, their time and energy spent.”
Celebrations begin at 9 a.m. on Sunday morning followed
by introducing the VIP guests, followed by lunch, refreshments and
entertainment.
Guests are requested not to bring flowers or gifts, but
donations to the Pattaya Sports Club Charity fund for the benefit of
underprivileged children in the local community will be gratefully
accepted.
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