Peter Cummins, presents the winning trophy for Keelboats
to the Feret team captained by Nick Henley.
Chonburi governor Pracha Taerat presents the PC Classic
Permanent Trophy to Chris Dando and Richard Eyre.
All the children sailors turned out
to be winners.
Saranya Makinson and Stefaan de Vos
proudly receive their trophy.
Jean-Philippe is flanked by PC and Richard van den
Heuvel, the Principal Race Officer.
Kevin Scott’s team is a pretty bunch
winning 2nd place in their Weaver
keelboat.
RVYC Commodore Alex Skaria, presents
the governor with the RVYC - a Glorious Half Century book written by PC.
Thus, with some positive commitments from Rotary Clubs,
Rotary members have observed that several of the projects entrusted to
Rotary for implementation may be eligible for ‘matching grants’ from the
Rotary International Foundation, greatly adding to the disbursement to the
less fortunate in our communities.
Major (Platinum) sponsor again this year has been the
European Security Concepts and Property Services (ESC) whose CEO Steve
Graham looks most favourably on the regatta as contributing to Pattaya’s
conservationalist image.
Locally-based Carpet Master Hospitality Company sees much
benefit in such events for all concerned, as well as Pattaya’s positive
image. Raimon Land, too, is dedicated to “developing a better environment”
supporting many regattas and marine sports, generally, as being very much
part of the clean, healthy lifestyle of its riverain properties around the
Eastern Seaboard and elsewhere.
A majority of the other ongoing supporters, randomly
listed, are all dedicated to the charitable causes, as well as promoting our
beloved “City-by-the-sea” as a clean, green, family-oriented tourist venue:
the LCB Container Terminal 1 Ltd, Siam Royal View, the Jomtien Boathouse
Hotel Wine and Grill, the Pattaya International Ladies Club, Gulf Air,
Ambrose Wine Limited, Hard Rock Hotel, Rotary Club Pattaya Marina, Cristina
Bath and Spa, Pattaya International Hospital and Thai Beverages, to single
out a few.
Sponsors who are deserving of special mention are
Rotarian Jan Christopher von Koss, John and Sukanya Seaton who have donated
a large sum from their own resources.
During successive editions of the PC Classic over the
years, scholarships that have been provided for children and other
recipients have included the Banglamung Home for the Aged, Happiness Camps
reaching out from teachers to students, the Redemptorist School for the
Blind, computer equipment for schools around the Eastern Seaboard and
further afield and equipment for the Remand Home for wayward youth.
A special concern this year will be to provide equipment
to bring fresh water to a number of schools and educational facilities
around the Kingdom. This has been a priority project for Rotary Clubs
world-wide and has made considerable progress in the Kingdom already.
The Royal Cliff Beach Resort, Pattaya’s five-star, multi
award-winning hotel, provided some great food and beverages during the day,
supplemented by the traditional Hard Rock Hotel’s succulent 90 kilogramme
roast pig which had the chefs from the hotel working throughout the night to
prepare on the lawn of the RVYC. There were prolific quantities of Singha
beer and Coca Cola for the thirsty crowd and sailors, a few of whom were a
little disappointed when the ‘taps’ ran dry.
When the day was done, in the light of a glorious Gulf
sunset, the junior Optimist sailors were rewarded for their efforts. To the
strains of the Pattaya School Number 3 Marching Band, resplendent in their
uniforms supplied by an earlier PC Classic, the assembled guests departed
for the Royal Cliff to start the evening’s fun and festivities.
Led by Dr Iain Corness, in rare form as MC, the evening
moved into high gear. H.E. Pracha Taerat, governor of Chonburi Province,
Chaiwat Charoensak, director of the TAT Region Three Central Office, Santsak
Ngampiches former senator, Chanyuth Hengtrakul, former MP of Chonburi, and
Ekasit Ngampiches all joined Panga Vathanakul, Rotarians Bruce and Judy
Hoppe, and Rotarian District Governor Nominee/Regatta Manager Peter
Malhotra, in enjoying the festivities.
At the end of the governor’s speech, Royal Varuna flag
commodore, Alex Skaria, presented him with a copy of the recently-published
book on Royal Varuna’s 50 years of history
Besides the ‘usual suspects’, coming from some 20
countries, who made up the racing fleet, there was a strong contingent of
children from the newly-formed Ocean Marina Yacht Club, challenging the
Royal Varuna Optimist sailors and several Ocean Marina YC Keelboats, which
entered the fray.
Then there were several ‘out-of-towners’ - Anders Widen
from England and former Royal Varuna commodore, John Marten up from New
Zealand. The Chao family came from Vancouver and the Kin clan from Burma, to
sail and enjoy the spectacle.
Judy Hoppe, past president of Rotary Club of Jomtien
Pattaya and chairperson of the Regatta organizing committee, opened the gala
with a succinct breakdown of Rotary endeavours, vis-เ-vis the PC Classic.
Perennial Regatta supporter and organizer, Peter Malhotra
gave his usual rousing oration and the governor, in his address, promised
full support to the marine sector.
Old PC himself bumbled on, with his opener, which
certainly aroused the big gathering (300 plus) at the Royal Cliff pool-side.
“On reaching my 60th cycle,” he said…! Well, perhaps that was not too bad.
Multiply that by 12 and we have 720. Take off the last zero and la voila,
PC’s 72nd birthday, which is what it was all about.
Anders Widen, a long-time Royal Varuna member and a
founder of the PC Classic, gave a most entertaining talk, with
carefully-prepared ‘props’ about a certain race which PC ‘managed” (to mess
up totally…!).
The Royal Cliff provided one of the best, most sumptuous
international gala dinners to be had in these parts and, of course, courtesy
of Ambrose Wine, the vintages flowed.
The press capitalized on this unique event, with
world-wide coverage of the action on the sea, ashore and, later, at the
splendid reception/gala dinner hosted by the award-winning resort, the Royal
Cliff Beach.
Hats off to our
benevolent sponsors
Judy Hoppe, presents plaques of appreciation to our
kind-hearted supporters
|
Royal Varuna Yacht Club |
Royal Cliff Beach Resort |
Pattaya International Ladies Club |
Pattaya Marina
Rotary Club |
Hard Rock Hotel |
European Safety Concepts |
Jomtien Boathouse Group |
Siam Royal View |
John and Sukanya Seaton |
Ursula’s Antiques |
LCB1 Container Terminal |
Jan Christopher von Koss |
|
John Evans – Gulf Air |
 |
The Best Ever!
