3rd Koh Samui International Regatta - Race Report 4
By Capt. Marty Rijkuris

Hurry up and wait!
An amusing article that caught my eye in the Bangkok Airways in flight magazine on the way to Koh Samui was about being an extra on a film set has many similarities to yacht racing. After rushing around getting ready for the early morning start only to find on arrival at Chaweng Beach a distinct lack of wind and glassy seas causing the race officer to postpone for 1 hour and 25 minutes. Getting the fleet to motor off in the direction of the first island mark was the only saving grace from complete boredom before a light zephyr appeared on the horizon and filled in enough to get Race 5 underway. A complete contrast to the earlier windy races.

Course 9 a 38nm passage race was included overnight and selected for today's race. In light of the conditions this decision may have been questionable but provision for shortening was included and had to be carried out during the race be it a bit late in the day for some. Troy Yaw's Ulumulu jumped back into contention with a win today after a mercy dash on the layday, this time to Quantum Sails in Malacca to repair the torn mainsail. Ffreefire took line honours but ended up 2nd on handicap which brings the overall results down to the last race tomorrow. If Ray Roberts steers Ulumulu into 1st place tomorrow he will not only win this regatta but will become the 2003/04 AsianYachting Grand Prix champion. What ever happens Ffreefire will win the Asian yacht of the year as Sam Chan could not be here to score the points toward the overall skipper award. The champagne is on ice and Armani International tailors are busy making the Navy blue blazer as the racing comes down to the wire..

In Class 1B or Premier Cruising Marcel Liedts well sailed Hocux Pocux 2 added another win to their tally to take a commanding lead in this class over Peter Churchhouse's Moonblue 2 and Dr Ian Nicolson's Intrigue of Stornaway who are likely to finish up in this order.

Thailands Saranya Makinson skippering Magic Roundabout pulled a surprise on the boys by taking 1st place over the Royal Thai Naval Academy 2 and 1 that have dominated the class so far. Her previous success has been on Nacra off the beach catamarans and watching a Thai girl calling the shots over a male dominated crew is certainly a change for the books and a pleasant sight to see.

In the Sportsboat class once again it was Jonathon Mahony's Mum 30 Happy Endings that made it to the shortened finish line 1st in front of David Bell's Pink Pussycat and Mark Horwards Image Asia Attitude 8 after a long and frustrating day. Judging by the recent performances this may well be the order that they may finish in the overall standings.

Khun Radab's Farrier 9 Cedar Swan was the only multihull to have finished at the time of going to press and as the time limit was running out may be the only finisher in the class.

The final day of racing is tomorrow and the overall placing's will be determined in most classes. As the final of the 2003/04 AsianYachting Grand Prix for this season comes to its natural conclusion watch this space for the overall summary and who will be popping the champagne corks tomorrow night.

Results and more news will be available from http://www.samuiregatta.com