PHUKET: It was a slow start to the last day of the 2014 Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek with the sailors having to wait over an hour for the wind to arrive, and it did, late, and all classes completed a single race to finish their series.
Crew members of Island Fling.
A short windward/leeward was set for the IRC Racing I, IRC Racing II and Firefly 850 classes while the rest of the fleet were sent on a long course around Hei and Aeo islands in six to eight knots of breeze.
Island Fling showed their light wind sailing skills scoring their first win of the Regatta in the final race of the Regatta, and winning by a clear two points on corrected time in IRC Racing I. Series leader Foxy Lady VI, however, struggled and placed fourth on the day.
This was not enough to cause any serious damage to the series as their earlier four wins were enough for them to win IRC Racing I class by a clear four points from Island Fling with Oi! in third.
Foxy Lady VI have won eight consecutive regattas on the Asian circuit.
Jessandra II had a close call on the startline almost sharing paint with the startboat, but the space opened up and they sailed well to win on the day and make it five wins from five races and with it take the IRC Racing II crown.
The Firefly 850s, such a fast boat in the right conditions, didn't get to show their speed today, and the tricky conditions turned in a new winner, Voodoo. A second place for Twin Sharks, however, was enough for them to secure and defend their title.
It was slow going on the outer course and the sailors had plenty of time to enjoy the island scenery up close and personal.
Bullet, the smallest in the Multihull Racing class at just 24-foot, mastered the fickle winds and long course best yesterday to win the final race, but a third place for Asia Catamarans Hurricane was enough to secure the class title.