While Covid - 19 restriction affected the entry list and route selections this year, Regattas Asia continued to sail on with the 25th Anniversary Bay Regatta.

A late change of venues for the opening took the competitors to the Royal Phuket Marina, who provided complimentary berthing for competitors and the opportunity for boats to test out the newly dredged channel offering all-tide access for boats with a draft up to 2.4m.

While following Covid-19 regulations, registration proceeded without a hitch as a pleasant evening (without speeches) opened the event at the Isola restaurant.

Although the event traditionally passes through the northern area of Phang Nag Bay. Current restrictions limit the use of race marks or groups of yachts joining together in the National Parks. With an alternative route found, boats departed early for the first days racing from a new start-line off Ko Rang Yai and followed the revised Really Good Deli Race Day course around the southern tip of Ko Yao Yai before heading north to Ko Yao Noi.

With the regatta offering the first tourism income (since the last Bay Regatta), restaurants and resorts re-opened, longtails converted to water taxis, and Tuk Tuks serviced. The island greeted sailors with a traditional Thai welcome and transportation to resorts with a smile (behind a face mask).

A very social evening was held at Baan Chang restaurant; the regatta must give many thanks to the local community for supporting the event.

Day Two, with competitors arriving at the start area, racing got off to an early start for the Octopus Electrical Services Race Day. Taking the fleet 25 miles through the Ko Hong Group to Ao Nang, Krabi, where most competitors moved into the Vacation Village - Phra Nang Inn for their 2 night say.

The Vacation Village group has family-run resorts in Krabi and Ko Lanta and has been a longtime supporter of The Bay Regatta. They have committed to supporting yachting in the area and have already agreed to support the 2023 event.

Day 3, The Vacation Village Island Race, saw very light winds, which slowly filled in from the west before disappearing by lunchtime. Racing was restricted to a two-leg race before racing was abandoned for the day. Everyone returned to the shore for the Vacation Village social prize-giving event with great food supplemented by the Really Good Deli.

Day 4, After a short delay, racing started in light winds on a straight-line course for The CocaCola Haad Thip Race. Cutting out the Krabi islands and heading directly for the gate off Ko Yao Yai. All classes were shortened at the gate after a long 5 hours in the Sun. Yachts them headed back to Ao Chalong for the final presentations at Kan Eang II.

The Results

Niels Dgenkole's Phoenix dominated the Monohull Classes with the double with four wins in the Monohull Racing Class and three wins in the Monohull Performance Class.

Phoenix was again first in the Monohull Racing Class with 2017 champions Megazip, helmed by Aleksandr Trofimenko in second, followed by Andrew McDermott's Jessandra II in third place.

In the Monohull Performance Class, Phoenix was similarly followed by Megazip in second, with Hans Rahmann's Yasooda celebrating their return after 14 years, with third place.

It was all down to the last race in the Multihull Classes, with Dan Fidock's Stealth design Saffron coming out on top for the double win.

In the Multihull Racing Class, the Asia Catamarans built Stealth designs dominated the positions, winning all top 3 places. Dan Fidock's Saffron led the way, followed by Glywn Rowlands' Twister 2 in Second and John Spencer's Zero in third place.

In the Multihull Performance Class, Dan Fidock's Saffron again came in first, followed by Rick Fieldings Mojo in second, with Warwick Downes' Bonza 69 Slam coming in with third place on a tie break with Twister 2.

This year, the on-water team was a little leaner due to Covid restrictions with Chandran and Captain Nee managing marks and gates on "Rainman", with Eddie with the boat crew assisting Simon on the Really Good Deli's sponsored "Azure 3". Thanks, must go to Peter Dyers' Sunshine Yachts and Bob Mott for providing the boats at special rates to the regatta.

Let's not forget Kae Wattana's Regattas Asia Shore team, led by Boston. It takes many people to organise an event that spans three provinces in three days—especially dealing with daily changing government rules and restrictions.

With tourism numbers down and limited employment opportunities in Phuket, many volunteers have travelled from Bangkok, Songkla and Ko Samui to support this year's event.

A special thanks should also go to Earth, Ploy and BeBe, who have been on Regattas Asia events for over ten years, taking time off from their full-time jobs to assist.

To all competitors, venues, supporters, sponsors, volunteers and casualties of events that meant you could not join us this year.

Thank you for supporting us. See you next year.

The 26th Bay Regatta: 22nd - 26th February 2023

The 25th Bay Regatta - Supported by:

Authorities: Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, Provinces of Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi.

Sponsors: The Tourism Authority of Thaiand, Vacation Village, Octopus Electrical Services, Coca Cola Haad Thip, Singha/Leo and The Really Good Deli.

2022 Venues: The Royal Phuket Marina, Baan Chang, Vacation Village-Phra Nag Inn, Kan Eang II.

Boats supplied by: Sunshine Yachts - Azure 3, Rainman.

Local Supporters: Electrical Marine, Phuket Cruising Yacht Club, Port Porta Takola, Phuket Boat Lagoon, Electrical Marine, Phuket Cruising Yacht Club, The Phuket Yacht Club and VME Entertainment systems.