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19 May 2005, 10:04 am

Thailand Gears Up For Sailing Week

Koh Samui Regatta 2005

Koh Samui, Thailand

Racing at Koh Samui Regatta takes place from 23-28 May and comprises a mixture of passage races and fast round the cans action. The regatta culminates in a VIP gala dinner and awards ceremony at the Central Samui Beach Resort.

Organized under the auspices of the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, working hand in hand with the Royal Thai Navy, registration takes place on 21-22 May. Following this are five day's of racing with a lay day on 26 May.

A strong fleet will contest the 2005 series and Tony CONNELL's Pacific 50 Yo!, formerly owned by Peter AHERN, could take the overall Asian Yachting Grand Prix Yacht title, but she will need to out-perform some strong opposition.

The defending champion from the 2004 Koh Samui Regatta is Sam CHAN's Ffreefire, which has excellent results across the season, with another good win at the latest China Sea Race.

Frank PONG's Jelik had her best result for the season, winning in the China Sea Week series, so PONG is raring for another strong result.

Australian Ray ROBERTS will be back at the helm of his former Luna Nuevo, now Troy YAW's Ulumulu. This is good news for YAW's Sarawak based team. With ROBERTS at the helm, they sailed well to win the IRC Division at the recent Borneo Cup and will benefit from another regatta with the experienced racing sailor.

In IRC Division 2, the hot local favourites from the Thai Naval Academy will be facing some stiff competition from four Australian crews on Sunsail Jeanneau 35's. A crack crew skippered by famous yachtsman George SNOW will be leading the challenge.

Bill BREMMER's Singapore based Sydney 36, Foxy Lady, the two Thai Navy Farr 36's, X412 Foreign Exchange 2, Jeanneau 35 Magic Roundabout and the Top of the Gulf winner and Image Asia's Jeanneau 46, are all keen for good results.

Last year's Sportsboat winner, Singapore's Jonathan MAHONY, will defend his title on Happy Endings, while in the Multihull Class, local builder Kim THOMAS (Kings Cup winner on Coco Blues) with the new China House, will lead the charge.