Windsikher II win IRC Zero Regatta title
Wiwat’s Thai Navy 1 take Modern Classic Class
PHUKET: Windsikher II, skippered by Sarab Jeet Singh, won the IRC Zero title at the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta which ended yesterday.
They won two races on the final day to complete a fine performance, as Singh finally won a King’s Cup title after coming in second and third in recent years.
“This is my 16th King’s Cup appearance since 1997 and my first win,” Singh said.
“We enjoyed ourselves and did really well. Courses were well organised but the light breezes are always challenging here. The team did well and the only reason I bought this boat was because I knew we had a team that could step up.”
Kenn Eyears and Rerefine (formerly Windsikher) led the IRC One ahead of Kevin Whitcraft’s Wan Ma Rang by a single point before the final day.
In yesterday’s action, Wan Ma Rang won race 10 but Rerefine took race 11 to return home with the trophy.
In the IRC Two, Japanese team Karasu, skippered by Yasuo Nanamori, took the crown ahead of Roland Dane’s Jessandra II team.
Andrey Novikov skippering Alexa in the Bareboat Charter competition put in another predictable first to win the title for the Russian team.
Vladimir Oleynikov’s Open Charter entry Popeye comfortably won the title.
The Royal Thai Navy entry, Thai Navy 1 skippered by Wiwat Poonpat, achieved glory in the Modern Classic Class in honour of His Majesty the King.
The team finished well ahead of the rest of the fleet.
Race six of the IRC Cruising Class was won by Thai-registered Slipstream, skippered by Rod Mulcahy.
Slipstream and Mustang Sally were tied after the last race, and on a countback, Slipstream’s race win from Friday proved invaluable.
Tony Byrnes and Mohawk won the Crusing Class.
John Newnham’s Twin Sharks were in a class of their own as they dominated the Firefly 850 Sports.
In the Cruising Multihull Class, Japanese entry Minnie claimed the crown ahead of Star Fruit.
The Performance Multihull Class was won by Australian Elizabeth Schoch, while Pine Pacific won the Premier Class.