PHUKET, THAILAND. In stark contrast to the last two days, the South Westerly moderated to 15-18 knots, with a clear sky and boat damage limited to minor breakages. In all three classes the podium places were open for the taking and most the fleet completed hurried repairs and were back out on the water, to fight on the final day. For the first race, PRO Simon James decided to send the fleet out of Chalong Bay, to the Phuket Harbour clear water mark and back, followed by a windward/leeward race to finish with. There was still plenty of excitement as the boats rotated and changed places on each leg of the course.
In the Racing Multi’s (OMR) Class, Alan Carwardine’s 11.8m Asia Catamarans Hurricane traded first and second places with Mick Coleman’s sister ship Java. This prevented Carwardine’s Hurricane from overtaking Coleman’s Java for the title. Carwardine’s retirement on Day 1 became the drop race but was not enough to interfere with the superbly sailed Java, that was on the pace all regatta and finished every race in the top two places. Two third places for Grenville Fordham / Bob Mott’s Andaman Cabriolet Nina, hands them the bronze medal and very rewarding in front of the more fancied yachts.
Read the full race report here: Final day showdown did not disappoint