|
The Inaugural Koh Samui Regatta: A New Star Is Born
The just-completed inaugural Koh Samui International
Regatta, featuring winning sailors from our own Eastern Seaboard, was an
outstanding success. Even at this early stage, it is being hailed as the
best stimulation to yachting and marine sports since the economic downturn
in 1997. Furthermore, the big fleet of yachts and beach-launched
catamarans which descended upon Samui for this inaugural event have added
a new chapter in Thailand’s tourism potential. The in-shore racing
series, particularly, of this weeklong yachting fest brought the
refreshing and almost tangible sight of multi-coloured craft and sails
close in to the island’s spectacular coast.
 Royal
Thai Navy remove a few barnacles before the racing at Samui.
Most yacht racing, outside of the Jomtien-Pattaya area,
including the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, takes place almost over the
horizon. But at Samui last week, the in-shore courses set parallel to the
coast provided a spectator ‘viewing platform’ while, at the same time,
both the close-in and the ocean races presented the 100 sailors taking
part with a panorama of this lovely island which most have never seen
before.
The press and media were also high profile around the
racing area, with the television crews recording diligently all the
colourful action from the vantage point of their own viewing platform,
generously provided by the Dive Shop - the same crew which covered the
Pattaya Mail PC Classic so well at the Royal Cliff some weeks ago. Of
course, the Pattaya Mail special correspondent was all over the racecourse
to bring the action to our readers.
 Passing
like ‘trains’ - or should that read ‘yachts - in the night:
Malaysia’s Pla Loma (L) and Aussie Luna Nuova pass on opposite tacks.
In the final day’s racing of the event, which was
held from 28 April through the fourth of May, the Keelboat Class One could
not have been closer, with Frank Pong’s super sloop Jelik out of Hong
Kong and Malaysian Keith Moore’s Pla Loma fighting right down to the
wire. Pla Loma, by winning the last race, sponsored by the Central Samui
Beach Resort, drew level with Jelik, finally claiming the title on a count
back.
Royal Varuna sailor, Aussie David Bell bolted home with
the Keelboat Class Two, helming his New Zealand-registered Graffiti to six
straight wins, totally out-classing Steve Walker’s Singaporean craft
Next Page, second, with Sattahip’s Royal Thai Navy entry Naval Academy
One, third. All of these had been prominent performers in last year’s
Phuket King’s Cup Regatta.
 Australia’s
Luna Nuova in hot contention off Samui.
Royal Varuna Yacht Club’s Bob Garner (UK) likewise
finished with straight wins in the Beach Cats Division, although he had to
fight off some strong challenges from the only lady helm, the amazing
Saranya Makinson.
Varying conditions prevailed during the weeklong event,
with onshore light-to-moderate winds from the east - tending to shift more
to the south-east during mid-afternoon - and slight seas, allowing for a
good mix of inshore racing, highly visible to the shore and the ocean
races around the neighbouring islands.
 Singapore’s
Big Buzzard runs down-wind.
The Royal Thai Navy, apart from taking part in and
performing well during the regatta, was also high-profile before, during
and after the event. It was, in fact, the Navy’s magnanimous gesture
which, by loading the Beach Cats onto a landing barge anchored off Royal
Varuna in South Pattaya and shipping them to Samui, allowed these
catamarans to take part. In fact, so effective was this transport that,
already, Laser and Windsurf fleets are being mooted for next year’s
event.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, Admiral
Prasert Boonsong, who was also the regatta’s Honorary Chairman, graced
the penultimate day with his presence, to observe the action from a naval
helicopter. “Most impressive show,” smiled the personable C-in-C after
his aerial reconnaissance.
Genesis of a Regatta
The new regatta virtually started under a coconut tree
and, literally, finished under a whole forest of coconut trees, lining the
Chaweng beachfront of the magnificent host facility, the Central Samui
Beach Resort. A year or so back, Keelboat sailor, Pattaya-based Bill
Gasson, ensconced under the welcoming shade of one of the native flora,
confided with several colleagues, including ex-Pattaya and now Samui
resident John Stall, that the exotic island of Samui, with its beautiful
coastlines and the abundance of equally-beautiful nearby islands, lent
itself ideally to a regatta. With yacht racing, and marine sports
generally, burgeoning in the north, south and west of Thailand, both Bill
and John lamented that Samui had been by-passed.
 Hong
Kong’s Jelik in full flight: next year skipper/owner Frank Pong will be
able to see the new black buoys!
As of last Sunday, that is history. The last week has
comprised highly competitive yacht racing, adventuring and partying on,
off and alongside the pristine waters and the spectacular scenery of Samui.
When to this is added the great support from the Samui community,
top-class race management and the delightful people of this island, the
event can only be a success and contribute a new component to the Asian
Yachting Circuit, now comprising four main regattas in the region. In
fact, so impressed were the officials managing the Samui event, that it
will be listed on next year’s International Sailing Federation (the
governing body of yachting) worldwide calendar of events. This is a move
which often can take up to several years, while the venue and the event
are being closely scrutinized.
 David
Bell’s Graffiti - unbeatable in Keelboat Class Two at the Koh Samui
Regatta.
Not only did the participants and all concerned enjoy
the regatta to the maximum, but some disadvantaged children will be the
beneficiaries of the event, with funds being donated to some of the
island’s charities: a remarkable gesture, especially considering that
this is the first regatta.
The Races: All Different
While it is not possible to re-create the fun and
excitement of each and every event, an overview of several of the races
will suffice. For example, the spectacular Coconut Land and Ocean Race was
the benchmark of a week of marvellous yacht racing off the island.
Starting in a 12-knot east-south-easterly wind, this spectacular offshore
long-distance race took the fleets around some of the most beautiful
scenery of the unspoiled natural beauty of the ‘archipelago’ of Koh
Samui and its surrounding islands.
There was an enthralled crowd on the Coconut Land
seafront to watch as the fleets sailed close by, to round a mark off the
resort and race north to Koh Tae Nok. It was a sight none of the huge
crowd had ever seen before off Koh Samui.
Red Bull Extra sponsorship also provided some great
racing and even greater partying. Race One of the Red Bull Extra events
started off in light southerlies, with Malaysian 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
and David Bailey’s British Virgin Islands-registered Hocux Pocux fourth,
just one minute ahead of George Olivit’s Big Buzzard (Singapore), fifth.
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 places three to five.
The
dancers at the spectacular Santiburi Dusit Resort cocktail reception. The
board displays the “Regatta Participating Outlets”.
Aussie, Royal Varuna’s own David Bell continued on
his winning way in Keelboat Class Two Division, wracking up two more first
places 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’
Seamander struggled along, rounding out Class Two.
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 battle 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.
Local lad big Roy Copp - also a former Pattayan -
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 beachfront
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 which, of
course, brings to mind the eternal adage: “A little Bull goes a long
way!”
Then there was the Santiburi-Singha Ocean Race to test
the entrants to the limit - it, too, being a challenging offshore long
distance race, starting off Chaweng Beach, sailing north to Mae Nam and
thence back to Chaweng, passing some of the smaller islands on the course,
a distance of some 23 nautical miles. However, the wind had other ideas
and, although there was sufficient to allow the race to be completed, the
committee shortened courses for the three groups.
All fleets rounded the mark set off co-sponsor’s
beach, the Santiburi Dusit Resort where the Class One Keelboats finished,
while the Class Two Keelboats and the beach-launched catamarans continued
to Koh Kong Ok - a little closer to Chaweng but, certainly for the Cats,
still a long way to go. The catamaran skippers came back to Chaweng after
dark, “but not too late,” one ‘party animal’ observed, “for the
awards ceremonies and party at the Santiburi Dusit Resort” - a
magnificent affair held pool-side.
In Keelboat Class One, Keith Moore drove Pla Loma to
the front, liking the lighter conditions considerably, finishing more than
15 minutes ahead of Aussie Ray Roberts’ Luna Nuova and 18 minutes ahead
of David Bailey’s Hocux Pocux.
Erstwhile class leader, Hong Kong’s Frank Pong was a
lowly fourth in the light conditions. And then what happened? All during
the regatta, although generally winning, Frank has complained that he
“could not see the yellow mark buoys” - which, noting his thick
bifocals, did not surprise me at all! So he donated six markers for future
Samui regattas in whatever colour that was considered the most appropriate
- of course, the chosen colour was black, reflecting somewhat Henry
Ford’s marketing of the old “T-Model”.
Principal race officer Mark Pryke, in a great con-job,
convinced Hannes Waimer, owner of DK Yachts in Malaysia, to come up at the
reception to offer an equipment input to future regattas equal to
Frank’s.
Actually, much of the equipment was borrowed from the
Phuket King’s Cup Regatta and a pool of the complex race management
paraphernalia will be shared between the two great events in the years to
come. In fact, incumbent president of the Phuket Regatta, Andy Dowden came
along to inspect the new event: his first question on stepping into the
pressroom was, “Has there been ANY wind?” - a contentious issue for
past King’s Cups.
Royal
Varuna’s catamaran fleet enjoy the competition at the First Koh Samui
Regatta.
As was the opening race, the last was also sponsored by
the host venue, the salubrious and delightful facility - the Central Samui
Resort and Spa - which is set among tropical landscaped gardens, manicured
lawns and ubiquitous fountains and pools, facing onto the
equally-beautiful beachfront of Chaweng Beach, mooted by many travel
experts as one of the world’s best beaches!
Jacques Mury, general manager of the hotel, as well as
the delightful staff, warmly welcomed the regatta and all associated with
it, offering the hotel’s facilities for the regatta management “for
the duration”.
The first and the last races were held close inshore in
front of Central and all who witnessed the last race, particularly, went
away with a lasting memory of the spectacular start in Keelboat Two
Division of the Pattaya team on skipper Richard Ellis’ craft, Seamanda.
Although these lads had not exactly been covered in glory during the week,
they are to be commended for undertaking the long journey from Pattaya -
and back! But, that start: the America’s Cup, where the start
contributes to some three-quarters of the ultimate victory, paled into
insignificance alongside Richard’s deft (daft?) pre-race manoeuvring.
The whole fleet was awe-struck.
Probably, the whole Samui scene is set by the Bangkok
Airways. While waiting to board the well-appointed planes, one is assisted
by the attractive staff, and regaled with excellent coffee - even
cappuccino - all kinds of fruit juices and massive ripe bananas!
The regatta was, indeed, an incredible mix of people
dedicated to its obvious outstanding success, from the five major sponsors
to the innumerable supporters dotted around the island, bearing the sign
“a Regatta outlet”.
The committee was also a mix of sailors, private and
public sector professionals and the hoteliers who all realized that a
successful regatta was a great step forward in the longer vision of
promoting the island everybody loves: Koh Samui.
Regatta
management (L to R) Bill Gasson, Peter Plant, Marc Ribail, Ruengnam
Chaikwang (TAT Samui), Adm. Prasert Boonsong, C. in C. Royal Thai Navy and
Rear Admiral Prasart, international juror.
Honorary chairman, Admiral Prasert Boonsong (RTN) was
ably assisted by Don Mackenzie, commodore of the Royal Varuna Yacht Club,
Ruengnam Chaikwang, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Samui,
Peter Plant, the hard-working and helpful secretary, Marc Ribail, the
equally hard-working and helpful treasurer, the ubiquitous Bill Gasson
whose knowledge of yachts and the people who race them was invaluable.
Likewise entrepreneur John Stall who placed the resources of his splendid
beachfront “Trade Winds” firmly behind the regatta management.
Eddie Corbyn, Michael Holehouse, Rochelle Kilgariff,
Jacques Mury, Gary Pearmain and Berndt Schillig whole-heartedly supported
the venture, ensuring that the parties were the best-ever at their
respective resorts.
Finally, principal race officer Mark Pryke, up from
Australia for the role, was highly impressed with the Royal Thai Navy men
who were faultless in race management, friendship and general demeanour.
“Rarely,” enthused Mark, “have I been able to finish one class at
one end of the committee vessel, while starting another class at the other
end.” It is a situation fraught with hazard, he noted, but with the Thai
Navy team on duty - “No problem!”
Everywhere around the island were signs announcing a
particular establishment or service as a “Regatta Participating
Outlet”. Too many to mention for it seemed that the whole island was
supporting the new event.
Full Results, the
Inaugural Koh Samui Regatta (Place, total points)
Keelboat Class One:
1. Keith Moore, Pla Loma (Mal, 7.0); 2. Frank Pong,
Jelik (HK, 7.0); 3. Ray Roberts, Luna Nuova (Aus, 13); 4. David Bailey,
Hocux Pocux (Sing, 19); 5. George Olivit, Big Buzzard
Keelboat Class Two:
1. David Bell, Graffiti (Aus, 5.0); 2. Steve Walker
Next Page (Sing, 10); 3. Aruk Kakaerm, Naval Academy One (Thai, 14); 4.
Cmdr. Pipat, Naval Academy Four (Thai, 20); 5. Richard Ellis, Seamanda
(Thai, 26).
Beach Cats (first eight only):
1. Bob Garner (UK, Nacra Inter 17, 5.0); 2. Saranya
Makinson (Thai, Nacra 5.5, spinnaker, 10); 3. Les Nyerges (Aus, Nacra 16
Sq, 15); 4. Frank Teeuwen (Neth, Nacra 16 Sq, spinn., 21); 5. Sa-ard
Panyawan (Thai, Nacra 6, 22); 6. Alex Skaria (Swiss, Nacra 16 Sq., spinn.,
32); 7. Armin Kundke (Ger, Hobie 21, 34); 8. Antony Chapman (UK, Nacra 16
Sq., 47). (Olaf Reese was unlucky to have been injured and forced to
retire from the regatta, and three other sailors, Jens Huhn, Detlef and
Jochen Hardt all retired also).
Best dressed
One prize which was highly coveted was that of best
dressed. It was an overwhelming vote for Big Buzzard whose crew - or so
Bill Gasson said - changed shirts daily, with a new design featuring each
day. Of course, Bill, former owner and skipper of the sleek Humphreys 50,
was completely impartial when awarding the prize!
Even as the hulls were drying, plans and dates for the
Second Koh Samui International Regatta were being tabled at the regatta
office at the Central Samui Beach Resort, with the other major sponsors
all agreeing to come back with support next year: Bangkok Airways, Coconut
Land and House Group of Companies, Red Bull Extra, Santiburi Dusit Resort
and Singha.
Charity Night for the Banglamung Home for the Aged
 An
old women from the Banglamung Home for the Aged. You can help her and
other senior citizens by attending the charity night, organized by AFT-ERC.
The Association of Filipinos in Thailand, Eastern
Region Chapter (AFT-ERC), has organized a charity night to raise needed
funds for the elder people of our community who are living in the
Banglamung Home for the Aged. The charity night will be held at the
Marriott Hotel (formerly Royal Garden Resort) on Pattaya Second Road, next
to the Royal Garden Plaza on May 25, 6 p.m. - midnight.
Entrance tickets - proceeds for donation - are priced
at 1,000 baht. Everyone is welcome. The evening will be friendly and fun
packed.
For reservations, please contact President Virginia,
tel. 01-762-2848, or Mariel, tel. 01-850-9546 or Stella at tel.
01-864-2095.
|
