16th Samui Regatta 2017 2016/17 AY Grand Prix Event AY Race Report 3

Intensity grows as we reach the half way mark…
By AY MultiMedia
May 24th, Koh Samui, Thailand: Already some ole rivalry’s have emerged and bound to intensify, as we reach the half way mark and go into the final days. Nothing more serious than the Mandrake versus Black Baza battle. While Black Baza has won all the blue water offshore classics to claim the AYGP Skipper and Yacht of the Year awards, for the last two seasons, Mandrake has beaten them in most the multi race regattas, they have contested and are claiming a moral victory. The AYGP point scoring system, is already under review for next season and likely changes are in the wind. Luck was again on PRO Ross Chisholm‘s side, as the wind spotters found 8 to 12 knots on the North East of Samui and the race makers quickly swung into action and fired off 2 windward / leeward races, before the wind faded away. Seven races have now been completed out of a 10 race program and its the first time ever, that the drop race has been introduced after 2 days of racing.

16th Samui Regatta 2017 2016/17 AY Grand Prix Event AY Race Report 2

Skippers looking for consistency
By AY MultiMedia
May 23rd, Koh Samui, Thailand: Despite the grim looking weather forecast and the mirror like surface in Chaweng Bay this morning, the early wind scouts found 12 to 15 knot Westerly, blowing down the Strait between Samui and Koh Phangan. The tropical depression formed over the Nicobar Islands to the West of Phuket, is moving slower than expected and producing the Westerly flow we’re experiencing. With a smile on the dial, PRO Ross Chisholm fired away one windward / leeward race, then the IRC Racers and Multihull’s joined the Cruising Class, on a 26nm Coastal course between the islands. After yesterdays opening rounds, things are getting serious, with crews more than ever determined to please the skippers in their quest for consistency and the elusive silverware, for their trophy cabinets. Goto AY Photo Gallery for the latest images.