Twelve teams attended the annual matchracing event(s) at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club knowing the importance of gaining World Sailing ranking points coming into the summer sailing season. The opportunity to attend two events in a matter of five days provided opportunities for a good start to the year.
Each team assembled a crew of between 4-5 members including the skipper. They were racing 25ft Platu keelboats in 1 v 1 format – what is known as matchracing. From the 12 entries, two local boats (THA) joined the teams from Poland, Estonia, Finland, Malaysia, Japan, China, France, and Bahrain.
Matchrace Thailand, initiated by the Matchrace Thailand group, kept its traditional values since its inception in 2010; great racing at one of the best sailing venues around and the relaxed atmosphere with parties and social events, utilising Thailand’s favourite sailing destination. Land Rover and North Sails supported both events for the second year running.
Stingray picks up speed during the annual matchracing event held at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club in Pattaya from March 22-27.
The Matchrace Thailand Nationals (grade 3) took place from Tuesday 22nd – Wednesday 23rd March. After completing the group round-robin series in perfect sailing conditions the top two teams in each group assembled for the semi-finals. It was Jon Eriksson (FIN) v Mati Sepp (EST) and Marek Stanczyk (POL) v Olli-Pekka Lumijarvi (FIN). In a three-match semi-final each team recorded a win so it came down to the deciding race. Both teams from Finland won to meet each other the final.
After Mati’s withdrawal from the Petit-Final, Marek secured third position overall. In the final Olli-Pekka demonstrated his class by winning both matches in a best of three to take the Matchrace Thailand Nationals title overall.
After a practice session and break on Thursday 24th March, all the teams came back for the Matchrace Thailand Championship on Friday 25th. The conditions were perfect again, 14-18 knots of wind, a flooding tide and sizeable waves. Jon Eriksson excelled to win all his robin races.
Wind was in plentiful supply all week, however it became problematic on day 2. After a morning delay due to inconsistent wind, the breeze came through in force allowing the race committee to complete eight flights in the afternoon in beautiful 12-14 knots conditions. Jon slipped and Olli-Pekka, Mati Sepp and Jeremy Koo (MAS) took advantage bringing the event poised into the last day when round-robin completion and finals were expected.
However, the wind was light and very inconsistent on the final day. The Race Committee struggled to set a course with the wind swinging from the north to the west and back again. With the last race time limited to 15:00 the Race Committee were only able to start one flight. Unfortunately two matches inside that flight had to be abandoned with Mati and Olli-Pekka the only boats that were still moving in the light conditions. The match finished in favour of Mati and decided the final result.
The finishing positions had to be decided on win percentages. Jeremy and Mati ended on equal percentage wins. Going back in the series, Jeremy Koo beat Mati in their previous encounter and therefore was declared the winner of the Matchrace Thailand Championship title.
