Voodoo puts a hex on Twin Sharks to capture Sailor’s Regatta
Photography by Scott Murray
Three great days of sailing weather greeted the competitors at the sixth annual Sailor’s Regatta, which saw Hans Rahmann’s Voodoo win the coveted six-boat multihull class and Niels Degenkolw’s Phoenix win the three-boat monohull class.
PRO Matt McGrath repeated the racing sequence of the first day sailing two windward-leewards for both classes - starts five minutes apart - on course two, heading out from the middle of Chalong Bay in the direction of Ao Yon and the Cape Panwa channel marker.
Voodoo, skippered by Ian Coulson with Jojo Tayong (tactician & bow), John Santos (mast) and Jed Jennings (trimmer) and Twin Sharks usually duke it out with Twin Sharks prevailing in the local regattas, but not this time around as it was all Voodoo as they sailed spectacularly winning three of the five races in the series.
Dirk Wieblen’s No Fear took third overall (line honours in round-the-island race on day two) in the six-boat multihull class. Andrew McDermott’s Trident placed fourth (they won race three), Bill Kane’s The Sting placed fifth with Dao Fidock’s Saffron rounded out the class.
Niels Degenkolw’s seems to own the waters around Ao Chalong as his boat Phoenix won all five races. Indeed, probably no sailor has won races in these waters than Nils. Aliaksandre Racheuski’s Uminoko beat out Thomas Valentin’s Brisk for second spot in every race in the three-boat monohull class, except race three.
There was tension between Phoenix and Uminoko throughout the regatta especially at the start line where they jockeyed for position and seemed to mirror each other’s movements. This came to head when they bumped each other at the start of the second race near the start pin. Phoenix protested as there was some damage to her boat. The outcome of the regatta was already decided with Phoenix winning but as we went to press, we were still awaiting the outcome of the protest hearing, which could have an effect on any compensation Phoenix is seeking.
The prize giving and awards dinner took place at the Phuket Yacht Club with James Haste, who sailed on Saffron for this regatta, doing his usual stellar job as MC
The fairer sex was well represented at the regatta with a number of female competitors sailing on Phoenix, Trident and Uminoko and PYC sailing coach helped out with the results.
A big round of applause to Khun Jeab and her team for their hospitality in keeping all the sailors fed and making sure their thirst was quenched (photography by Scott Murray).
Gallery
Leave a Reply