Ocean Marina in Na Jomtien welcomed crews from around the world to the Transworld Regatta 2018, held from March 2-4. Three of these countries taking part, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, currently represent the most active region in the World for Platu racing and will hold the 2018 Platu World Championship in Riga, Latvia this August. Chris Way brought his Easy Tiger team from Australia and Rolf Heemskerk travelled from Malaysia. These crews were supported by two local teams from Thailand, with ex-pats from several different countries on board.
As usual the 3 day regatta was preceded by a one day event of three races so that crews could acclimatize themselves to the local conditions and also shake of their jet lag. The day saw winds up to 18 knots, quite big seas and many big shifts to keep the tacticians busy. The result was a sign of things to come as the first three boats went on to finish on the podium of the main event. Congratulations to Harles Liiv from Estonia in first place.
The first two days of the regatta itself again saw winds up to 18 and 19 knots, metre high waves, and lots of shifts of 20 degrees and more. The format of 30 minute races was again used so that there were 6 races on day one and 7 on day two. With a windward mark at half a mile, races of 1, 2 and 3 laps were set to test suitability and best race format. The general consensus was that 30-minute, two lap races were best so this became the norm.
Strong winds and big shifts, but after two days and 13 races it was all to play for between Matti Sepp and Rolf Heemskerk who were separated by only three points.
The third day was much calmer than the previous two with a flat sea and winds of 6 knots as the racing began. This gradually built however to 14 knots and a few white caps to again make the crews hike hard.
The tension was building, not only for these two crews, but for all crews, and the first race of the final day saw chaos on the start line and a general recall necessary. The second start was a little bit better organized and crews finally got away for the first of 4 races with the final race being worth double points. It was hard to separate Mati and Rolf as they finished race 1 and 2 only metres apart. But then Mati decided that match racing was not the way to go and simply sailed fast to a win and a second place in the final two races. But a great effort from Rolf, the current holder of the Coronation Cup, who gave it everything, but it simply was not enough on this day.
Another close battle between four boats also ensued as they finished within a ten point spread after all 17 races.
Four races meant that crews were back in the marina before two o’clock so that they could enjoy some food and a well earned beer or two before the presentations took place.
