The weekend of August 16-17 saw a keenly sailed battle for the Thailand Platu 25th National Championships, which were held at Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Pattaya.
Nine teams with 45 experienced Platu crews participated in the annual event with the first day proving difficult due to unpredictable conditions and lack of wind. Results showed some yachts coming first in earlier races then dead last in the late afternoon legs. By day’s end the wind had completely lulled leaving the yachts becalmed with a slow crawl around the course on the last race.
The victorious ‘Easy Tiger’ crew pose with the Platu National Championship trophy at Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Sunday, August 17.
The second day by contrast opened with magnificent weather and constant wind, resulting in the teams sailing more competitively. As the wind freshened so did the tension and adrenaline aboard all the boats, with the mark roundings in particular being challenging and a lot more like navigating a minefield of oncoming boats as they jostled for position. The finishes were incredibly close with each boat constantly trying to scramble for the extra couple of meters to beat out other yachts.
The ‘Easy Tiger’ Team won the Thailand National Platu Championship by one point; headed by Captain Tom Spithill and Skipper Peter Winter and ably supported by the Thai teenage crew from Royal Varuna Yacht Club consisting of Lorenzo Cassio, Miki Romanyk and brothers Bobby and Alex Frefel. In second place was the Stingray team led by Dylan Whitcraft, also hailing from Royal Varuna Yacht Club.
‘Easy Tiger’ prepares for another day at sea battling fellow Platu’s for the national title.
Overall line honours went to ‘Kingdom Property’ in first place, followed in second place by ‘Weasel’, ‘Easy Tiger’ third and ‘Stingray’ in fourth. As the first two boats were crewed with foreign teams they didn’t qualify for the National Award.
