Frustrating light winds and strong tidal currents once again played havoc with the race officials and competitors alike.
After racing yesterday was postponed everybody was eager to get some races in so the series could be completed. A earlier start time was scheduled and as the breeze filtered in, the race officials quickly laid the course and got the starting sequence underway. Despite the 3 to 4 knot current a close tacking duel took place on the first windward leg but as they approached the first mark the breeze deserted them. As only 2 yachts managed to scrape around on the last zephyrs of hope Chris KELLY had no alternative other than to abandon this attempt. A couple hours of patiently waiting saw a southerly breeze materialize and build sufficiently to get another start underway. Fortunately this time around 6 of the 8 yachts managed to complete 2 laps so a result could be made and overall places determined.
Peter AHERN'S Yo! added another win to his race 2 victory and despite scoring the same points as Keith MOORE's Pla Loma these 2 wins broke the drawn score in his favour. Ray ROBERTS' - Hollywood Boulevard showed some incredible bursts of speed but never recovered the lost time from earlier errors to end up third overall. Neil PRYDE'S - Hi Fidelity crew spent allot of the time assessing all the modifications that have taken place and are confident that they will go on to take podium places at the next regattas.
Stuart HARRISON'S Mumm 30 Panic showed that they are in a class above the rest to convincingly win Division B from Graham LINDS' Sumatra and John BUSCH'S Joan Marie from Singapore followed up in third place. Martin AXE'S Serang showed they can still hold their own in mixed racer cruiser company despite her age.
The Asean Regatta is the first grand prix event from which a performance based ranking system for Skippers and competing Racing Yachts is derived. Points are awarded to the overall racing class winners at nine selected major racing regattas over the eight month AsianYachting Season.
Last season Peter AHERN and Yo! where crowned the champions and their win here gets them off to another good start this season.