FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

Karasu fails to maintain its winning run

Karasu fails to maintain its winning run

KARASU, SKIPPERED by Yasuo Nanamori, lost its touch in blustery winds of 13-18 knots but still maintained the lead in the IRC 1class of the 30th Phuket King’s Cup Regatta at Kata Bay on Tuesday.

Nanamori, last year’s champion in the IRC 2 class, made a superb start on Monday, winning both races. However, the Japanese skipper could sail Karasu to third and fourth places in two races contested on Tuesday to finish the day in fourth place in the IRC 1 class. After four races, Karasu has nine points to remain atop the IRC 1 class, where 10 boats are challenging for the crown.

Hong Kong’s Mandrake III, helmed by Nick Burns/Fred Kinmonth, sailed home first and second in both races and jumped from fourth to second overall with 11 points. Yes! Jessandra II, skipped by Adam Gosling, came third place overall with identical 11 points after finishing fourth and third in Tuesday’s races.

Burns, skipper of Mandrake III, said: “ The conditions were fabulous. Today was very fast so we enjoyed it a lot. The first part of the day was great, surfing waves and topping out at about 17 knots. Round the bottom mark, we were reaching into winds of between 17-20 knots.”

Race officer Ross Chisholm said. “It was immensely fast today too; we finished a 7 mile course this morning and a 24 mile run in the afternoon – all in five hours; that’s how quick it was concluded. The race had everything that sailing should offer.”

Meanwhile, highly-experienced Kevin Whitcraft, aboard THA72, remained in awesome form after storming home first in both races. The Thai craft stay atop the IRC Zero class with four points. Australian Ray Roberts’ Team Hollywood finished second overall with an aggregate eight points.

In the IRC 2 class, Senga, skippered by Australian Belinda Cooper, crossed the finish line first in the day’s single race for a combined six points. Compatriots Robert Pfeiffer and April Jorgensen aboard Farrgo Express and Judy finished second and third with seven and 12 points.

Hong Kong’s Peter Cremers, skippering Shahtoosh, crossed the finish line first in Tuesday’s race to capture the lead in the Premier class with four points overall, followed by Thai Ithinai Yingsiri aboard Pine-Pacific and Malaysia’s Zuhai helmed by Royal Malaysian Navy.

Elsewhere, Twin Sharks skippered by Briton John Newnham continued unbeaten streak in the Firefly 850 Sport class. Hot in his heels in second place every race was German Hans Rahmann aboard Voodoo with an aggregate eight points from four races.

In the Pulse 600 class, Java Yachting skippered by Briton Neil Ayre still took the lead with five points after three races, followed by Hanuman XXXIII helmed by Florent Herson and Morten Jakobsen with seven points.
Wiwat Poonpat’s Royal Thai Navy 1 still dominated the Platu One Design class with a combined three points after three races, while Briton Mike Downard aboard SIA Absolute One Design and Finland’s The Wolf helmed by Peik Astrom came in second and third places with nine and 10 points respectively.

In the Multihull Racing class, Thor skippered by Briton Henry Kaye finished second in both races on Tuesday, but went to the top of the standing with eight points, followed by the previous day’s leader New Zealander Richard Eyre aboard Rapido with just three points behind.

Japanese Kimiya Shimizu aboard Ying Yang sailed home first in the Multihull Cruising class on Tuesday to maintain the lead with six points, with compatriot Norikazu Arai skippering Minnie in close second with the similar six points after four races.

Unbeaten in the Open Charter class was Russian Vladimir Oleynikov skippering Popeye, collecting four points after four races. Australian David Stoopman aboard Kata Rocks Venture had nine points to come in second place overall.

In the Bareboat Charter A class, Russian Igor Ginzburg aboard Snapdragon took the lead with seven points, followed by Thailand’s Kata Rocks 2 (Escape) skippered by Tony Oates with 12 points after four races.

China’s Tong Jianquan skippering Asia Pacific Atom sailed home in second place in Tuesday’s race, but surged to the top of the Cruising class with six points, while Russian Andrey Arbuzov aboard Thaiassa finished in close second place with seven points overall after four races.

The 30th edition marks a change in direction for the classic race, with strong interest from the industry and from competitive sailors in China. The Regatta is working to engage this very large and growing market in mainland China as well as other high potential overseas markets, including the UK (this year’s race attracted some extremely experience British sailing teams in several classes).

Santi Kanchanabandhu, a member of the Phuket King's Cup Regatta Organizing Committee, said in an interview, “We have more Chinese competitors in the dinghy fleets, and three notable entries from three main cities in China; Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen. It’s really important for us to grow the brand into China as we go about building the King’s Cup into one of the world’s premier sailing events. The young Chinese sailors and Thai juniors who join our fleet now, making the largest ever dinghy fleet this year) are the future of the Regatta, so to see this enthusiasm gives us bright hope for the future of the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta.

“The brand platform is very solid and the recognition continues to build on our efforts to look to the bright Regatta future. Our young generation will carry the King’s Cup brand forward, and out into a wider world reach. I can genuinely see this one day becoming the world’s greatest regatta.”

Almost 200 boats including the Dinghy fleets are taking part in the 30th Phuket King’s Cup Regatta which features Keelboats and Multihulls and International Dinghy Classes. The “Sail Pass” ceremony off Kata Bay will also be held on December 9 in honour of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun.

nationthailand