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Surat Thani – The class winners had been decided going into the final day as Ray Roberts and his professional crew on Team Hollywood Samurai won all but one race on their Cookson 50, winning the IRC Open Class and crossed the finish line first in the last race with an elapsed time of 58:48. AfterTremor (aka Tenacious), skippered by Olympian Steve McConaghy placed second, and Iolanthe 3, an Archambault A35, led by Australian skipper Terry Foster, was third.
Upon accepting the winner’s trophy on stage at the Fair House Beach Resort and Hotel, Team Hollywood Samurai’s skipper Ray Roberts noted he had sailed in the very first Koh Samui Regatta, was delighted to be back and promised to return next year. This regatta was not about the quantity of boats but the quality of the sailors, many who have sailed and won the finest regattas in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Cruising class was won by Gloria (an Oceanis 45), whose crew hails from the Royal Perth Yacht Club (they too all promised to return next year). SV Senetor (a Jeanneau 45), with noted Danish yachtsman Nils Degenklow on board, was second.
Steve McConaghy, Olympic sailor and triple World Champion in the 11 Metre One Design class, brought a wealth of experience to the regatta. His team, AfterTremor, sailed with skill and consistency to secure second place in a highly competitive IRC Open Class. “It was a challenging week,” Steve said. “In the 18 Samui regattas I’ve competed in I have never seen so much current. It’s tough going on a slow boat up wind in light air, against 2-3k. Still my favourite regatta and hope to be back again next year.”
The Samui Regatta is a prestigious event in the sailing calendar, which sailed from May 25 to May 31. It featured keelboats racing in the IRC Open and Cruising classes. The event was centered at Nora Beach Resort and Spa, which offered an ideal backdrop for both participants and spectators.
The regatta competition saw eight races held over five days, from May 26 to May 31, with May 29th set as a lay day and an opportunity for the sailors to explore and experience the hospitality of Koh Samui. The competition resumed on May 30 and continued through May 31. Each day’s competition concluded with a ceremony to honour and award the winners, culminating in a gala dinner at the Fair House Beach Resort and Hotel on the final day. The Nora Beach Resort and Spa Hotel was the gracious host of the opening ceremony, and the daily award ceremonies.
The Samui Regatta Organizing Committee organizes the Samui Regatta in collaboration with the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand under the Royal Patronage, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Tourism Association of Koh Samui, the Surat Thani Province, and Regattas Asia.
The 22nd Samui Regatta was proud to be supported by an array of sponsors whose collaboration and support are essential to the event’s success. Co-sponsors include: Bangkok Airways, Bangkok Hospital Samui, Chaweng Gardens Beach Resort, Chaweng Regent Beach Resort, Haad Thip PCL, Singha, Samui VertiColor, SUNNE, Team Jelik (Frank Pong), Workforce International. Media Partners include SEA Yachting and the Thailand Marine Guide.
About the Samui Regatta:
The Samui Regatta is the island’s longest running sports event and solidifies Thailand’s position as a premier sailing destination and an essential stop in the Asian yachting circuit. Since its inception in 2001 with a modest fleet of beach catamarans, the Samui Regatta experienced remarkable growth up until 2019, rapidly expanding each year and is now in a rebuilding process post covid. The event’s objectives remain focused on increasing tourism to Koh Samui, elevating the profile of sailing in Asia, and promoting water sports activities.
For more information on participating in the Samui Regatta, please visit the regatta’s website at https://www.samuiregatta.com and update activities on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamuiRegatta
