Report By Scott Murray - Sea Yachting Magazine.

Regattas Asia have done what no one else in this region were able to do: stage a regatta every year throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s right, the Bay Regatta didn’t miss a beat – this year’s version being the 26th straight.

Twenty-six international crews registered and were spread over five classes (IRC Monohull, IRC Cruising, Cruising Monohull, OMR Multihull & Cruising Multihull) headed out this morning through some of the world’s most stunning karst topography on their four-day nautical journey. That is the largest number of entries in a big-boat regional regatta since the Phuket King’s Cup in 2019.

Held from February 22-26, the Bay Regatta is a series of passage races – an event format that catches the attention of the region’s best sailors. This four-day sailing trek throughout Phang Nga Bay focuses on fun. Attracting the serious, the not-so-serious and the not-at-all-serious “racing” sailors, the regatta appeals to those who enjoy the stunning sailing grounds of the area and a different destination each day.

Each evening, the regatta anchors at a different venue and the sailors go ashore. Those staying ashore –the majority of the fleet – book accommodation and either eat in the local restaurants or enjoy the official event functions, which engage with the local community. Most of the expenditure of the regatta goes directly into the local economies of the areas the regatta visits - This has been the case since the regatta was launched and it will remain so for the future - an excellent example of how sports tourism works to the benefit of communities and local economies.

Starting just off from Ao Po Grand Marina on Phuket's east coast, after registration and an opening party yesterday evening at the lovely Supalai Scenic Bay resort, the yachts sailed south.

The 25-mile course, sponsored by Really Good Deli, set off from Koh Naka Yai, and passing the lime-stone karsts of Koh Sup to starboard and rounding Koh Yao Yai to port, before passing through the gate (located at Hin Mu Sang Mu Nua) and finishing at overnight anchorage of Koh Yao Noi.

At 9am, PRO Simon James set two starts for the competitors: first off were the combined monohulls (15 boats) followed by the combined multihull classes (10 boats). There with 5-6 knots of breeze from the east and a flood tide the heavier boats moved slowly south. As boats headed to Ko Sup, the wind direction changed numerous times with those boats following the coast of Koh Yao Yai finding slacker tides and a localised wind pattern.

Lead by Parabellum who pulled out over a 1-hour lead over the fleet, the fleet continued south, with the ever changing winds compressing the fleet. With the Impending ebb tide and lightening breeze, the race was shortened off the south-east corner of Koh Yao Yai. Allowing boats to motor north for the nights festivities.

The five-boat IRC Monohull Class saw Niels Degenkolw’s X ¾ Phoenix, do what it does best – win, finishing ahead of Thomas Valentin, who is sailing Brisk, a Classe Mini 6.5, single-handed. Aliaksandre Racheuski’s Uminoko, a Farr One Ton, was third today while Aleksandr Trofimenko’s DSA Venture, a First 40.7, was fourth and Peter Winter’s Aquarii, a Sydney 40 Mod, placed fifth.

The three-boat IRC Cruising Class saw Paul Merry’s Night Train, a Hanse 415, emerge as the winner with Aleksei Brunov’s Moonshine, a Sun Odyssey 45 taking second and Andrey Arbuzov’s Birds & Bees, a First 44.7. coming in third.

Meanwhile, the seven-boat Cruising Monohull saw Steven Wong’s Snap Dragon, a Peterson 46, come out victorious. Ilya Saldaev’s Wind of Change, a Beneteau Oceanis 43, was a close second followed by Jack Christensen’s Lynda, a Bavaria 49. Hans Rahmann’s sleek Yasooda, a JV Custom 70, was fourth with Duncan Fraser’s Gale Force, a Hanse 575 Shoal Keel, taking fifth overall while Fons Wang’s Sumalee, a Sun Odyssey 49, finished sixth and Mayo Hood’s Chinnon 2, a Sun Odyssey 469, took last place on the day.

The seven-boat OMR Multihull class saw Dan Fidock’s Parabellum, an Extreme 40, win & take the days line honours. Once handicaps were applied Glywn Rowlands’ Twister II, a Steath 12.1came in second followed by John Newnham’s Twin Sharks, a Firefly 850 Sportsboat; Dow Fidock’s Saffron, a Stealth 11.8, was fourth; and George Eddings’ Blue Noze, another Firefly, was fifth. Dirk Weiblen’s No Fear, a VLVP YG25 MOD placed sixth followed by James Haste’s Bonza, a PH 1100, who had a tough time in the light wind.

And the three-boat Cruising Multi class was an all-Aussie affair as Bo Wharton’s Troppo, a Lagoon 410, took top spot followed by Rick Fielding’s Mojo, a Fusion 40, and Bob McIntyre’s Allegro, a Stealth 13.

The days prizes were presented by Dan Fidock of Really Good Deli held at the Charming Holiday Resort Koh Yao Noi. Tomorrow the racers head off to Krabi for a 20 nautical mile course sponsored by the Phuket Marine Industry.

The Bay Regatta was originally described thus: “The regatta allows participants to experience the best of southern Thai hospitality and the unrivaled sailing grounds in the area. Boats sail amongst 200-metre-high karsts and past hidden bays on their way to nights under-the-stars in idyllic anchorages.”

That description still rings true today.