THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

Karasu makes a perfect start with two wins

 Karasu makes a perfect start with two wins

LAST year’s IRC 2 champions Karasu, skippered by Yasuo Nanamori, made a perfect start with a clean sweep of both races in the IRC 1 class in the 30th Phuket King’s Cup Regatta off Kata Beach Resort and Spa on Monday.

The winds of 8-13 knots in the morning increased to 13-16 knots later on, allowing all boats to get their first race of the Asia’s premier sailing competition off to a good start.

Karasu overcame nine competitors, including closest rivals Yes! Jessandra II, helmed by Adam Gosling, to sail home first in the first race and repeated the feat in the second race for a combined two points. Gosling tried to catch up with Nanamori in the second race, but failed in his efforts. Yes! Jessandra II finished second overall with four points. Singapore’s ReRefine, skippered by Kenn Eyears, came third with eight points.

Only two boats contested the IRC Zero class. Thailand’s THA72/TP52, skippered by Kevin Whitcraft, clinched both wins with two points, leaving Ray Roberts’ Team Hollywood in second place.

“I think the sailors were happy sailing today although some boats are damaged. The wind will be a bit lighter but for the whole week, such wind conditions will be used to test the crew. It should be an exciting week,” Whitcraft said.

Australia dominated the IRC 2 class with a top-three finish after three races. Senga, with Belinda Cooper at the helm, had an impressive performance on the first day to topple other seven challengers to claim five points from two wins and third place at the third race.

Hong Kong’s Shahtoosh, skippered by Peter Cremers, finished second in the first race of the Premier class, but made amends to storm home first in the second race for three points. Thailand’s Ithinai Yingsiri were second.

In the Firefly 850 Sport class, Twin Sharks swept both races for an aggregate two points, while Voodoo took the second spot with four points. 

Java Yachting, skippered by Neil Ayre, finished second in the opening race, but came first in the second race to take the lead with three points in the Pulse 600 class.

Elsewhere, veteran Thai sailor Wiwat Poonpat aboard Royal Thai Navy 1 sailed home first in both races in the Platu One Design class. Indonesia’s Three Itch helmed by Daniel Moore claimed the first place overall in the Multihull Racing class with three points. 

Russia’s Popeye, helmed by Vladimir Oleynikov, proved that he is the best in the Open Charter class to dominate all three races with three points.

Fifteen boats contested three races in the Barboat Charter A class yesterday. However, at press time, results of two races had been announced which saw Russia’s Snapdragon helmed by Igor Ginzburg top the charge with three points, while Australian Charlie Robinson aboard Awatea captured second in both races of the Cruising class, but went atop the standing with four points.

The Phuket King's Cup Regatta is organized by the Phuket King's Cup Regatta Organizing Committee under the auspices of the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, in conjunction with the Royal Thai Navy, Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, and the Province of Phuket.The 2016 event competitive classes include Keelboats and Multihulls and International Dinghy Classes. 

There will also be the “Sail Pass” ceremony off Kata Bay, in honour of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun.

The Phuket King’s Cup Regatta has helped to position Thailand as one of the world’s premier and most popular centers of the International yachting destination. The regatta is again expected to drive global awareness of Thailand as a yachting destination and help its yachting industry continue to grow, contributing in no uncertain manner both directly and indirectly to the local economy.

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