Platus again join Phuket King’s Cup Regatta

Warwick Downes, Mark Haswell and Mark Jewell expect to fly in to Phuket from Hong Kong, the Philippines and Singapore, respectively, to compete for the top honours in the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta Platu Division, to be held in December.

These three helmsmen, who have all won top honours at various regattas, including Thailand’s own Coronation and Princess Cups, will form the nucleus of a most competitive Platu fleet in 1999. The visitors will be pitted against Thailand’s best Platu sailors from the Eastern Seaboard yacht clubs of Royal Varuna at Pattaya and the Royal Thai Navy base at Sattahip, as well as Pranburi on the West Coast.

Peter Cummins reports

Last year, six Farr Platu 25 racing keelboats were assigned from their base at the Phatra Marina on the Pranburi River, to Sunsail, the worldwide yacht charter company located at the Phuket Boat Lagoon.

The embryo fleet proved a great boost to the Twelfth Phuket King’s Cup Regatta last year and all six are already entered for the Thirteenth Regatta, to be held from the sixth to the eleventh of December.

The addition of the Platus again this year, only the third time that a one-design class yacht has been included in the keelboat racing at Phuket, is a favourable development for the regatta. With such top helms as Hong Kong’s Warwick Downes, Singapore’s Mark Jewell and Mark Haswell from the Philippines, hopefully joining the 1999 regatta to take on Thailand’s Platu ‘giants’, this division is going to be the focus of much attention in December.

Thai teams will challenge the region’s best Platu helms next December at Phuket. Photo Peter Cummins

Nigel J. Hardy, president of the 1999 regatta organizing committee, pointed out last week that, while the Platu is a most welcome addition to the events, nevertheless this fleet will sail a rather different configuration from the other four fleets which comprise the regatta.

The Platu teams, coming from around Asia to participate, are only too aware that this agile little racing craft is not exactly built for comfort and, thus, will not start from Krabi, nor race to Koh Phi Phi and back to Phuket in the traditional Andaman Sea classic. Rather, they will have a series of inshore races, up and down Phuket’s coast off Kata Beach.

The now-famous Phuket King’s Cup Regatta was originally established in 1987 to celebrate the 60th birthday of H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej - the Regatta Royal Patron - and has been sailed every year since then during the week of the Thai Monarch’s birthday, the fifth of December. This year some special events, including a start from Krabi for the first time, are being prepared to honour the sixth cycle, seventy-second birthday of the King.

Phuket, during this regatta week, is looking more and more like the Caribbean’s Antigua Week, Cowes in Britain or Queensland’s Hamilton Island Week, the venues for the world’s greatest yachting festivals.

Missing, hopefully, from this year’s King’s Cup - and all future yachting and cruising in Phuket waters - will be the ubiquitous jet skis, banned from Phuket beachfronts since early last year. Kata and Patong beaches were the prime operating areas for these polluting, noisy mechanical monsters and the mindless morons racing them around... and around.

Why the Platu?

The advent of the “Phuket Platu” is not only a great addition to the next King’s Cup Regatta; it is also an interesting development for the Thai marine leisure sector as a whole, hard hit as it is by the economic down-turn and the recent enforcement of customs regulations affecting a large number of craft in all categories already in the Kingdom.

The Pla Tu, known also as the Indo-Pacific or the short-bodied mackerel, is a vital component of the prolific Thai seafood range. Depending on how it is prepared, the Pla Tu is simultaneously a rich man’s delicacy and a poor man’s staple diet.

Appropriately enough, this Pla Tu is a denizen of the Gulf, located in the waters around Prachuab Khiri Khan to the southern areas off Koh Samui and Surat Thani, nearby the Phatra Marina which accommodates the ‘other’ Platus.

Some seven years ago, entrepreneur Viroj Nualkair, chief executive officer of Thailand’s Phatra Thanakit Finance Company - and mastermind of the Phatra Marina and Yacht Club complex on the Western Gulf at the estuary of the Pranburi River - commissioned New Zealand marine architect Bruce Farr to design and develop a compact racing yacht specifically for Thai waters and conditions AND the relatively small Thai sailors.

Viroj Nualkair (2nd left), the mastermind behind Platu development in the Kingdom, is pictured here with the Thai team who won the President’s Cup Regatta Platu Division in Subic Bay, Phillippiness in 1998.

Thus it was no surprise that the resulting prototype was called the “Platu”, for the consignment of the 28 craft - constructed and fitted out by New Zealand’s leading boat builders, McDell Marine of Auckland. With six already in Phuket, the rest are maintained on the hard-standing of the Phatra Marina, located two nautical miles upstream from the mouth of the beautiful Pranburi River.

The Farr Platus share the waters of Prachuab Khiri Khan with their nemesis - the Farrs preferring, of course, to stay above the sea, while the Pla Tu, the true denizen of these waters, swims below.

Incidentally, the Farr drawing boards at Annapolis, Maryland, produced eight out of the nine Whitbread ‘Sixties’, competing in the last Round the World Classic - a fair recommendation for the Farr stable, one could well surmise!

And now, Sunsail Platus

In an agreement between the Phatra Marine Products Company and Sunsail, the world’s premier yacht chartering company, the Farr Platus have now become an integral part of the big Sunsail operations. The Phuket Boat Lagoon thus becomes the second Thai base for the Platu which, at 25 feet (7.6 m.), is the ‘baby’ of the Sunsail Phuket fleet of some 26 Beneteau yachts ranging from the 32-ft Oceanis to the mighty 44-ft Sunmagic.

Added to two impressive Prout-designed 39-ft catamarans, built for superb comfort and a Grand banks 42-ft Motor Cruiser, the ultimate in cruising luxury, the Platu has moved in amongst some famous ‘neighbours’. One would be tempted to observe that Sunsail is the Platu plateau!

The Platu’s popularity has spread rapidly to bases in Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines in the Asian region. Beneteau, the French boat-building giant, has already commissioned upwards of 200 Euro Platus, under the designation of “Beneteau 25s” and last summer, the first European Championships were held in Belgium.

Already, the Platu is a star performer in many of the big regattas in the Asian region and plans are being made for an Asian Championship and eventually the first Platu World Championships.

Already in Thailand there are regattas such as the Coronation Cup and the newly-established Princess Cup, attracting region-wide entries. A Malaysian Challenge Match Racing regatta, held in conjunction with the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) exhibition in 1997, was an outstanding success, taking on the aspect of a mini world match-racing championship. It is already a fixture of the LIMA show held each December.

Platus have been used in World Match Racing qualifying regattas, as at Sete, France in 1996.

Locally at Phuket, it is anticipated that the Platus will join the regattas and long-distance events organized by the Ao Chalong Yacht Club, the leading force in Phuket yachting circles.

With the added impetus of joining the world-wide network of Sunsail and such contributions as McDell’s “Farr Platu 25 Asian News” reaching out globally through Internet, there seems little doubt that the Platu, like its namesake swimming around the Gulf, will proliferate.

The Farr Platu - Thailand’s own yacht - seems destined to become a worldwide phenomenon. The 1999 Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, with the expected media coverage, will inevitably feature the Platu on television screens around the world.

Tour de Pattaya

Who will be wearing the coveted Yellow Jersey when the Tour de Pattaya bicycle riders come into town on September 4th?

Tour de Pattaya, I hear you ask? Well, it is our answer to some of the better publicised rides in Europe and what’s even better is that ours is more fun!

Now in its second year, this fun run on bikes is part of the “Jesters - Chonburi Siam Steel Works Fair”, a charity event being held at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort on the 4th of September.

Unlike the European runs, this one is only 40 kms long, with the starting point being the Camel Bar in Ban Chang. No problems with testing for stimulants and riders without acceptable blood alcohol levels may be penalised.

The object of the exercise is, of course, to raise money for the Fountain of Life and riders are sponsored to help swell the coffers for the worthy cause. If you want to join the Tour de Pattaya sign up with Darren or Paul of the Jesters on 733 239 or email to [email protected] or see Woody at TQ or Kim Fletcher at Delaney’s.

Fitness Facts

By Stuart L. Bell

The Heart of Fitness

The heart lies at the center of the cardiovascular system, which also comprises the lungs and the circulatory vessels, i.e., veins and arteries. One of the major roles of the cardiovascular system is to supply oxygen to the muscles. For only when oxygen is present can the muscles release the bulk of their stored energy.

The more oxygen that the cardiovascular system can supply, the greater the body’s capacity for endurance events, like running, swimming and cycling. The word aerobic means “with oxygen”, which is why this type of activity is called aerobic exercise.

Your aerobic fitness is usually measured in terms of the maximum amount of oxygen you can supply to your muscles, which is referred to as your VO2 Max. In order to improve the efficiency of the oxygen delivery system, it is necessary to elevate your heart rate to between 60% and 85% of maximum, for a period of 20-30 minutes. This is usually achieved using machines like cycles, treadmills, rowers and steppers.

After a while, you will begin to fatigue, the oxygen supply will diminish, and your body will produce a substance called lactic acid. Once this gets into your muscles, it causes the soreness which makes you stop. As your fitness level improves, it will take longer and longer before this occurs.

Eventually the heart will become stronger. The amount of blood it pumps out with each beat will increase, and the substance in blood which attracts oxygen, called hemoglobin, will also multiply. You will be able to work for longer at higher intensities, without fatiguing. In other words, you will get fitter.

In addition to an increase in aerobic capacity, you will also burn body fat, lower cholesterol levels and feel an increase in energy. Clearly, the value of cardiovascular conditioning is enormous, and the benefits can be yours in exchange for 30 minutes of your time three times-a-week.

Summery:

1. Regular aerobic exercise is the key to improving the efficiency of the heart and lungs.

2. Other benefits of aerobic exercise include weight/fat loss, decreased cholesterol levels and increased energy.

3. The heart is at the center of the cardiovascular system and is responsible for pumping oxygen to the muscles.

4. The word aerobic means “with oxygen”.

5. To improve the efficiency of the aerobic system, you need to elevate your heart rate to 60% - 85% of maximum, for 20-30 minutes, three times-a-week.

Friday the 13th poses no problems for a charmed lifer

PSC TAGGS... golf from the Hare House

Wednesday, August 11 - Phoenix Golf and Country Club (Better Ball)

1st: Juan Kendall & Jimmy Little, net 60
2nd: Stephen Beard & George Jackson, net 62
3rd: Mike Dabonovich & B.J. Smith, net 64

Phoenix was the scene for the TAGGS Better Ball competition on Wednesday, August 11. With overcast skies and light breezes, the conditions were ideal for good scores and all seven teams came in with 69 or better.

Taking home his first Knotted Putter trophy was Se๑or Juan Kendall who makes his home in Costa Rica. Juan’s playing partner was fellow American Jaime Pequeno, a.k.a. Jimmy Little. Together, they produced a better ball score of net 60. Juan recently finished second in his division in the Las Vegas Open, and he was making the most of his 28 handicap before it drops like an over ripe mango. He had three net eagles in a row making the turn from the Mountain nine to the Ocean nine. This is now Juan’s version of Amen Corner, where his prayers were answered and it was “amen” for the rest of the field.

In second place with a very credible net 62 were Stephen Beard and George “One Ball” Jackson. This was George’s ninth consecutive appearance on the podium in a TAGGS pair’s competition. In five of those tournaments he was paired with Stephen Beard. George, playing off sixteen, also had the low gross for the day, shooting an 85 off the sticks.

Back from Australia and already making waves was B.J. Smith. He was teamed up with Mike “Dabber” Dabonovich, and together they produced a better ball score of 64. B.J. survived a near whiff on the first tee to come through on five of the first nine holes. But it was Dabber’s 41 on the back nine that put them on the podium.

Friday, August 13 - Rayong Green Valley (Stableford)

1st: Vic Cross, 39 points
2nd: Hannu Kamila, 38 points
3rd: Jim Montgomery, 35 points

Vic Cross leads a charmed life. He has a beautiful Thai girlfriend, a fourth floor flat on Beach Road with a great view of Pattaya Bay, and a golf game that can beat players twenty-five years his junior. The “charms” also work against Friday the Thirteenth as he shot an 89, off twenty, at Green Valley to bring home 39 Stableford points and another Hare House golf trophy. He also lined his pockets with the generous donations from the other twenty-seven golfers in the field. Lucky man.

In second place with 38 points was Finland’s Hannu Kamila. Hannu won his first TAGGS tournament on May 19 in a Bogey competition, also at Green Valley. Back then, Hannu was playing off twenty-three. In the space of a few short months, his handicap has dropped to fifteen and is still falling.

In third place was the Honorable James Montgomery. Jim finished in a six-way tie with 35 points and grabbed the third spot on the podium in a count back. He was not, however, able to attend the post-competition awards ceremony at the Hare House. His fellow golfers “blew the horn” in his absence and he can come by and pay his bin at the Hare House any day between seven a.m. and eleven p.m.

Septuagenarian tames Khao Kheow

Pattaya Golf Society from the Bunker

This week’s Stableford competition was played at the formidable Khao Kheow course and as usual it proved a real test for most of a large field on a rain free day.

As a result of the large number of entrants the entry was divided into two divisions.

The oldest (by far) competitor on the day was Aussie Fred Marshall and he proved a most impressive winner with 38 points. Fred is living proof that life really does begin at seventy and he proved a model of consistency in winning Division One.

He was closely followed in second place by American Joe Smiley who recorded 36 points playing off a handicap of twelve. With just a little more luck on the greens, Joe could well have succeeded in breaking 40 points.

Third in Division One was “Yorkshire Rose” owner Brian Bradley with 32 points.

Division Two provided a first time winner in Neil Griffin with 37 points playing off a 38 handicap. He won well by five points from Joe Sparey on 32 points and probably is now looking forward to next week’s competition at Eastern Star.

Third in this Division was Saudi star Kevin Wilson with 30 points.

The new clubhouse and facilities at Khao Kheow are truly magnificent and more than compatible with their superb golf course.

Finally, it has to be mentioned that Fred Marshall is the oldest competitor to win playing out of the Pattaya Golf Society. Fred may be from “Down Under” but he surely knows how to finish on top.

Heroes welcome back Originals

The Hometown Heroes and Scar’s Originals prodded and poked each other at the Pattaya Sports Club softball game on Sunday, August 8th. As the daylight faded and the players prepared for their nocturnal activities, each team was able to claim a victory as they split the doubleheader.

The Heroes opened the scoring with four in the first thanks to RBI from Florida Bob and Alan (Y.B.) Baa.

After a scoreless second, the Heroes added two more when Craig (The Hitman) Lewis blasted a dinger to right.

The Originals finally got on the board in the fourth behind key hits by Danny (Hurry Up) Hastings and C. F. (Fowl Ball) Macallen.

But the Heroes added three in the fifth to put the game out of reach and the Originals fell 11 to 3.

The nitecap was a real thriller as the Heroes again broke on top scoring five in the first with Dial Tone Jim and Vagabond Mike providing the punch. The Heroes then pushed two across in the second to go up by seven.

The Originals decided they came to play and brought home five as Jimmy Lockhead, Scar, and Banana provided the timely hitting.

In the bottom of the third the Originals tied the score on a tremendous blast to left by Dabber.

The Heroes rallied back with two in the fourth as Aloha Tom came through with a double to left.

After a scoreless fifth, the Originals put up three in the sixth to take a one run lead.

The see-saw battle continued when Mike (Mr. Ice) Berg tripled to right with two runners on to give the Heroes a one run lead going into the bottom of the seventh.

After a triple by Dabber to tie the score, the Heroes intentionally loaded the bases in hopes of pulling off an inning ending double play. But when Hurry Up Hastings singled through the drawn in infield, the Originals secured the victory 12 to 11.

The week’s game was dedicated to the memory of Wayne Tischbern whose untimely death last week was a shock to all who knew him. Wayne was a warm, jovial, no bull kind of guy who was impossible not to like. We celebrate your life and mourn your passing. Godspeed.

Copyright 1998 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.