Navy 1 torpedoes rivals

Captain Wiwat Poonpat had to summon all his experience to keep Royal Thai Navy 1 atop the IRC 2 Class standings yesterday amidst unexpectedly light winds off Kata beach at the 25th Phuket King’s Cup Regatta.

Defying the forecast of stronger winds was a light breeze, ruffling the sails at a mere six to seven knots and leaving Wiwat with slim hopes of retaining his lead in a heavy boat that performs better in stronger winds. 

But after battling through two races, the skipper headed back to shore with the surprising news that his team was still in front.

“Everyone on the boat felt downhearted because of the light winds. We didn’t expect much after finishing six minutes behind Foxy Lady – a gap that we wouldn’t normally expect to concede,’’ said the 38-year-old veteran, who has been sailing since he was 10. 

“But news came through the Internet that we were still leading. It was a surprise. But we worked really hard out there, trying to stay close to Foxy. With experience, I knew what I had in these circumstances, and it paid off,’’ said the navy man, whose team is now in the driving seat for a fifth victory, after successive wins between 2007 and 2010.

Wiwat’s crew ended the two-race day with the best results in the class, finishing second in the sixth race and first in the seventh to maintain their lead with a total 10 points. Arch-rival Foxy Lady from Singapore trailed by four points in second with Russia’s Ruby Tuesday third on 19 points.

With only one race remaining for the IRC 2 today, Navy 1 is expected to cruise to overall victory, though a distant sixth-place finish plus a Foxy win would torpedo that forecast. Wiwat thinks that scenario is unlikely, though. 

“There’s nothing else to worry about after what we have been through today. We have never finished out of the top five, plus windier conditions are expected tomorrow. I’m pretty confident now,’’ said the skipper.

In the Premier class, regatta debutante Titania of Cowes from Britain stayed top of the class with six points. Titania’s 20-member team – the youngest member just 19 – enjoyed a solid four-point lead over Australia’s Baby Tonga Strongbow, with Hong Kong’s Xena trailing third with 17 points.

“We are confident going into the final day with a big lead but other teams are strong as well. We don’t want to make any mistakes, and we hope the favourable winds forecast tomorrow will benefit us,’’ said team captain Gina Hewson. 

In the IRC Zeros, United Arab Emirates’ Team Premier hung onto their lead despite a stiff challenge from Hong Kong’s HiFi. Skipper Hannes Weimer lost out on top finishes in the seventh and eight races to HiFi but Premier enjoyed a two-point lead, 12 to 14. Hong Kong’s Freefire 52 was at third with 17 points. The standings were subject to change yesterday after a protest was lodged. 

In other categories, Japan’s Karasu led the IRC 1 while Britain’s Moto Inzi Firefly headed the 850 Sports Class. Australia’s Sidewinder was out in front in the Multihulls, Australia’s Venture in the Bareboat Charter, while Patrice III of Thailand sat atop the Modern Classic competition, with Odin of Thailand leading the Cruising fleet.