VOLVO Singapore Straits Regatta Day 4

The final day! None of us wanted the rain and few wanted the light airs or the big calm. Nevertheless, the weather certainly suited some boats that had previously not done particularly well. It paid to be on the correct side of the course at the correct time.

By the time the postponed start got off the wind was in approximately its appointed north east and we were all soaked and had very wrinkly fingers and feet. For the first round the tide was more or less OK. It was to dominate the rest of the day.

In Racing Class A there was a change in the finishers with Pla Loma taking first place with Hi Fidelity in second. Unfortunately for Yo! she dropped into third from her accustomed second place.

Four Class A boats chose not to stay the course, we are not sure why but know that Jenny III took a lurch towards the committee boat and got lines round her propeller. We have been told a romantic tale to the effect that Foxy Lady surrendered her chances by valiantly standing by Jenny while they dived to clear their propeller. We think that they simply had enough of the rain.

Class B are clearly made of sterner stuff because only 3 boats retired and the rest made good use of their anchors to kedge against the tide when the calm finally arrived as most boats started their final beat.

Solarmax did well to choose the right side of the course and were only yards short of the windward mark when they had to kedge. She took line honours from Platu but their positions were reversed on handicap. Those boats were a full 30 minutes ahead of the next finisher, Xen@ and the rest of the fleet followed in quick succession led by Against All Odds. Jangan Main Main took third place.

Kedging was well done by all and though it took Next Page some time to get hers down she came up well to the shortened course finish at the windward mark.

In the PY Class Irvmiren’s sleek lines and big sails told and she beat Dondang Sayang who eventually chose to call it a day.

It could have been a wash out but it wasn’t despite the rain.

In Racing Class A the overall results are Karakoa by one point from Yo!, unchanged from yesterday with Stella in third place. Six points behind and fourth equal were local boat Foxy Lady and Hi Fidelity.

In Racing B the first two places were unchanged from yesterday with Xen@ on 9 points, Shoon Fung Too on 13 and third Platu on 15 Points. These were followed by Next Page on 24 points and several other boats in the twenties.

The Perpetual Cup Series, consisting of the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, Raja Muda Int’l Regatta as well as the VOLVO Singapore Straita Regatta, was won this time around by Stella. Skipper Warwick Downes walked away with the Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy, presented by Guest-of-Honour RAdm (NS) Teo Chee Hean, President of the Singapore National Olympic Council, who is also the Minister for Education & 2nd Minister for Defence.

A great Regatta! Please come again next year. Changi Sailing Club’s Vice Commodore Jeffrey Leow – next year’s Regatta Chair – promises to better this year’s Regatta!

Peter Dunlop