PHUKET: Changing winds made for a technical challenge and generally good racing conditions on day two of the Phuket King's Cup Regatta, with top contenders across all classes looking for strong early point scores.
Ray Robert's OneSails Racing team followed up a win yesterday in IRC0 class with another excellent first place in race three. Neil Pryde's Hifi team finished second.
OneSails has established awesome pace over the two race days, with vacillating winds between 8-15 knots providing ample opportunities for the team to maximise their advantage with good decisions on tactics and sails.
The level of competition in IRC0 class has been very high this year, with popular Thai team Won Marang struggling to make headway against faster boats.
Skipper Kevin Whitcraft explained: ''Today we had challenging wind that was constantly shifting, which is good fun but leaves no room for error with decision-making.
''The fastest boats were finished before the light wind set in, basically hampering the slower boats finishes.
''You simply need to sail the perfect race. We ran well downwind on the right spinnaker but missed our chance to change to a spinnaker more suitable to the ensuing lighter conditions.
''You need a bit of luck and a bit of skill also.''
IRC1 class saw Day One victors Foxy Lady VI win again. The Singaporean team are establishing the pace early on but several teams will look to overturn their dominance over the course of the week.
In IRC2, Peter Sorensen's Fujin team came back strongly to take the win on Day Two, with previous top performing Karasu team managing only second place.
The Royal Thai Navy team was victorious In IRC3, racing home for the win following adjustments for handicap rating. LT. JG. Pontep Sookudom led his team to the line behind several rivals, but the team performed very well to overcome their handicap deficit.
In Premier class, Pine Pacific were a long way ahead of all rivals, finishing first and building upon their strong performance in the first race.
The third race of the Sports Boat class was won by Planet Blue, skippered by Kazumi Asai.
The large Bareboat Charter class fleet presented an exciting battle, with Peter Kochnev and Sail Experts taking the win in Rambutan.
In the Open Charter class, Russian Maxim Taranov skippered Little Eva to take first place ahead of the Sarawadee team.
The Firefly 850 Sports class was won by John Newnham skippering Twin Sharks, building further on their victory and second place earned on the first day.
In Multihull Racing class, Asia Catamarans Hurricane came in two minutes behind nearest rival Mojo but proved to be the winner on adjusted times.
In Multihull Cruising class, Ariana skippered by Russian Andrey Nikikov placed first again to record their second victory of the King's Cup.
Among the Modern Classics, Jim Ellis's Remington team were quickest again, following a win in the first race.
Sunshine Schooner skippered by Peter Wood was quickest again in the Classic class, to record another win on Phuket Day Two.
Chris Hillier's Rumrunner11 was victor in Cruising class ahead of the first day's winner, Lady Bubbly.
New class structures featured in this year's Phuket regatta have resulted in some spectacularly close racing, with vessels of all sizes jousting with each other in newly reclassified groupings.
The Phuket King's Cup Regatta Organising Committee is constantly seeking ways to maximise the thrills of close-quarters racing and tight points finishes come the final day of racing, and this year has the hallmarks of being one of the closest finishes yet.
About the Phuket King's Cup Regatta
Inaugurated in 1987 to celebrate the 60th birthday of His Majesty the King of Thailand, the event has been held every year since, during the first week of December. Under Royal Patronage, the Phuket King's Cup Regatta is organised by the Phuket King's Cup Regatta Organising Committee under the auspices of the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, in conjunction with the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, the Royal Thai Navy and the Province of Phuket.
Ray Robert's OneSails Racing team followed up a win yesterday in IRC0 class with another excellent first place in race three. Neil Pryde's Hifi team finished second.
OneSails has established awesome pace over the two race days, with vacillating winds between 8-15 knots providing ample opportunities for the team to maximise their advantage with good decisions on tactics and sails.
The level of competition in IRC0 class has been very high this year, with popular Thai team Won Marang struggling to make headway against faster boats.
Skipper Kevin Whitcraft explained: ''Today we had challenging wind that was constantly shifting, which is good fun but leaves no room for error with decision-making.
''The fastest boats were finished before the light wind set in, basically hampering the slower boats finishes.
''You simply need to sail the perfect race. We ran well downwind on the right spinnaker but missed our chance to change to a spinnaker more suitable to the ensuing lighter conditions.
''You need a bit of luck and a bit of skill also.''
IRC1 class saw Day One victors Foxy Lady VI win again. The Singaporean team are establishing the pace early on but several teams will look to overturn their dominance over the course of the week.
In IRC2, Peter Sorensen's Fujin team came back strongly to take the win on Day Two, with previous top performing Karasu team managing only second place.
The Royal Thai Navy team was victorious In IRC3, racing home for the win following adjustments for handicap rating. LT. JG. Pontep Sookudom led his team to the line behind several rivals, but the team performed very well to overcome their handicap deficit.
In Premier class, Pine Pacific were a long way ahead of all rivals, finishing first and building upon their strong performance in the first race.
The third race of the Sports Boat class was won by Planet Blue, skippered by Kazumi Asai.
The large Bareboat Charter class fleet presented an exciting battle, with Peter Kochnev and Sail Experts taking the win in Rambutan.
In the Open Charter class, Russian Maxim Taranov skippered Little Eva to take first place ahead of the Sarawadee team.
The Firefly 850 Sports class was won by John Newnham skippering Twin Sharks, building further on their victory and second place earned on the first day.
In Multihull Racing class, Asia Catamarans Hurricane came in two minutes behind nearest rival Mojo but proved to be the winner on adjusted times.
In Multihull Cruising class, Ariana skippered by Russian Andrey Nikikov placed first again to record their second victory of the King's Cup.
Among the Modern Classics, Jim Ellis's Remington team were quickest again, following a win in the first race.
Sunshine Schooner skippered by Peter Wood was quickest again in the Classic class, to record another win on Phuket Day Two.
Chris Hillier's Rumrunner11 was victor in Cruising class ahead of the first day's winner, Lady Bubbly.
New class structures featured in this year's Phuket regatta have resulted in some spectacularly close racing, with vessels of all sizes jousting with each other in newly reclassified groupings.
The Phuket King's Cup Regatta Organising Committee is constantly seeking ways to maximise the thrills of close-quarters racing and tight points finishes come the final day of racing, and this year has the hallmarks of being one of the closest finishes yet.
About the Phuket King's Cup Regatta
Inaugurated in 1987 to celebrate the 60th birthday of His Majesty the King of Thailand, the event has been held every year since, during the first week of December. Under Royal Patronage, the Phuket King's Cup Regatta is organised by the Phuket King's Cup Regatta Organising Committee under the auspices of the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, in conjunction with the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, the Royal Thai Navy and the Province of Phuket.
