Billed as ‘Asia’s Windiest Regatta’ by organisers Image Asia Events, after three years of consistently strong southwest monsoon breezes, nature refused to co-operate with the billing in year four.

After a week of shifting winds, the final day's racing was no different, with the breeze continually changing direction or dropping out completely – as if it thought that by hindering the start of the racing it could make the event last even longer.

Off the water, four nights of glittering parties at Evason Phuket & Six Senses Spa, with live music every afternoon and evening from ‘The Fabulous Hepcats’, were complemented by the Raimon Land party at Ratri Jazztaurant, with dazzling views over Kata Bay. Then there was an exclusive cocktail party on board the 165 ft, 101-year-old, Edwardian motor vessel Kalizma (formerly owned by Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor) contrasting with the more down-to-earth ‘Pig Roast Party’ at Big A Resort, owned by veteran yachtsman Horst Lakits.

RACE REPORT SUMMARY
The overall series winner in IRC 1 had already been decided on Race Day 3, but Scott Duncanson’s Som Tam Express still put in a tactically brilliant performance and finished the sixth race characteristically in the top spot. John Vause’s Ruby Tuesday finished second on the day, with David Lindahl’s La Samudra in third.
IRC 1 Series result: 1st Som Tam Express, 2nd Yo!2, 3rd Vino

Peter Dyer’s Madam Butterfly also had a successful week, and the final race was no different as she took first place in IRC 2 Race 6, whilst securing her overall victory in the series. Mike Downard’s Evason Phuket Tua Lek, and Niels Dgenkolf’s Phoenix took second and third place respectively.
IRC 2 Series result: 1st Madam Butterfly, 2nd Evason Phuket Tua Lek, 3rd Phoenix

In Multihull Race 5, Chris Runegar’s RLYC Chameleon scored first place after a brilliant race reading the winds perfectly, but it was not enough to take the series from Tim Milner’s Seekronghuk who finished in third place, but after a consistent week took the overall series title. Second place on the final day went to Bob Brindley’s X Catriot.
Multihull Series result: 1st Seekronghuk, 2nd X Catriot, 3rd RLYC Chameleon

Speed demon, Roger Kingdon’s Moto Inzi, delivered another blistering performance in the Raimon Land Firefly Class Race 6, thereby securing her dominance in the series overall. Second place went to Bill Phelps’ Twin Sharks, whilst the Godfather of the series, Henry Kaye, took a respectable third place in Mamba.
Raimon Land Firefly Class series result: 1st Moto Inzi, 2nd Twin Sharks, 3rd Mamba

Gunther Nutt’s Kerida took first place in Classic Race 4, clinching the series and the ‘Perpetual Seraph Trophy’ for the second year running, with Mark Myking’s Idiom in second and Tom Howard’s Seraph in third position.
Classic Class series result: 1st Kerida, 2nd Seraph, 3rd Idiom

IRC 1
After close to four hours of hanging around on the water for the wind to settle, the crews were still all very keen to race which resulted in the closest start of the regatta. Peter Ahern’s Farr 40 Yo!2 as usual took an early lead but when they reached the minefield behind the islands they found a parking lot inshore with their name on it. Scott Duncanson decided to take his Phuket 8 (26ft) Som Tam Express a little further offshore and staged a classic come from behind overtaking maneuver that was to leave Yo!2 wallowing in their wake. Not only did Scott Duncanson and his Som Tam Express crew collect the daily double, but also wrapped up the overall series with a resounding win over the more fancied and much bigger Farr 40 class yacht.

IRC 2
The overall placings hinged on today’s final race. A close 3-way tussle has developed between Peter Dyer’s 3/4 tonner Madam Butterfly, Niels Dgenkolf’s Phoenix with the Malaysian crew from the RSYC Sailing Academy showing their racing prowess and Mike Downard’s nippy Platu 25 Evason Phuket Tua Lek. Peter Dyer and the crew on Madam Butterfly came out with all guns firing, established an early lead and kept a close cover on his rivals to win the race and the overall series. Evason Phuket Tua Lek hung onto Phoenix's tail to claim second place today, lifting them to second overall. Phoenix stayed on the pace to finish third and missed out by less than a minute on second place overall.

Multihull Class
Chris Runnegar’s RLYC Chameleon took the wide outside path around the islands, staying in the wind to score a brilliant victory. Bob Brindley’s X Catriot and Tim Milner’s Seekronghuk chose the inside line and could only watch on as Chameleon disappeared into the distance. But, by recording three earlier wins, Tim Milner’s crew on Seekronghuk already had the overall prize in the bag.

The battle at the top of the IRC 1 leaderboard continues with Peter Ahern’s Farr 40 Yo!2 taking line honours on his much preferred windward/leeward course. Had they done enough to regain their standing? A short wait for Scott Duncanson’s Phuket 8 Som Tam Express to cross the line revealed that Yo!2 had missed out by 44 seconds and had to settle on second place. After a good start David Lindahl’s Swan 42 La Samudra redeemed themselves after mixed performances to score third place although a protest was being lodged against them for a top mark incident. With only one race to go, mathematically speaking, and after securing three wins, Scott Duncanson’s Phuket 8 Som Tam Express has won the class.

After the results of today’s two races the IRC 2 class has been reduced to a three horse race. Peter Dyer’s 3/4 tonner Madam Butterfly scored first and second to elevate them to the top of the leaderboard. Niels Dgenkolf’s Phoenix has been very quick out of the starting box and scored a third and resounding first place to climb into second overall, trailing the leader by a mere point. Overnight leader Mike Downard on Platu 25 Evason Phuket Tua Lek’s second and fourth placing drops him down to third overall but still within striking distance on the final race tomorrow. Mick Kealy’s X-342 Minx was on the comeback trail but a fourth and third place has made it almost impossible for them to recover.

In the Multihull class it was Bob Brindley’s turn on X Catriot to pick up the daily double, thereby breaking Tim Milner’s 3-race winning streak on Seekronghuk. Chris Runnegar’s heavier displacement RLYC Chameleon never recovered from being slow off the start line and had to settle on third place.

A half inch adjustment on the forestay to alter the rake of the mast is all it took for Henry Kaye’s Mamba to get back on the pace and break Roger Kingdon and Moto Inzi’s dominance of the regatta. Chris Jongerius on The Frog chose the favourable side on the final run to the finish to come from behind and claim a narrow second place. After leading at the top mark, Bill Phelps on Twin Sharks tussled closely throughout, only to be pipped at the finish to end up third. A fourth place for Roger Kingdon’s Moto Inzi will do him no harm as four earlier wins have built them an insurmountable lead at the top of the leaderboard.

With the rest of the afternoon to look forward to, PRO James — known for his sheer tenacity — set up for another start and this time sent the boats on a three island passage race with another storm brewing further out to sea. Once again a light start as the breeze filled in from the South West to propel the boats around Koh Bon. As they ran under spinnaker down the long back strait behind the islands, the gusts arrived from the building storm, which generated some excitement and gave crews plenty to think about as they quickly went about the task of controlling the boat and sails in strong winds. The older IOR boats, never known for their downwind stability in heavy winds, had their hands full with the odd broach. Hopefully with all the storm activity it might be a sign that the SW Monsoon is returning for the rest of the week.

The two Phuket 8s made a day of it and seemed to be in the right place at the right time when the wind gusts came through. Scott Duncanson’s Som Tam Express often seen in planing mode to take out Race 3 and second place in Race 4 with Jim Poulsen’s Vino close on his tail, filling second and third spots respectively. John Vause on Ruby Tuesday came to the fore in Race 4 with a resounding victory to warn the leaders he is still there and knocking on the door. Despite claiming Line Honours, Peter Ahern’s Farr 40 Yo!2 shared the overall lead, but with a third and fourth today sees them being toppled for the time being by Scott Duncanson’s Som Tam Express.

A 4-way battle has erupted in the IRC 2 Class. Peter Dyer’s 3/4 tonner Madam Butterfly claimed 1st place in race 2 but an almighty broach in Race 3 saw them drop back to fourth at the finish. Mike Downard having the advantage of knowing where all the rocks are, hugged the shore on his Platu 25 Evason Phuket Tua Lek to come out on top in race 3. Stuart Crowe’s Beneteau First 285 Cinders rebounded from a bad start to score second place in race 2, but finished down in fifth on Race 3 to help juggle the overall point score. Mick Kealy’s X-342 Minx threw their hat into the ring with a well sailed third and second place to announce their arrival on the overall standings. Niels Dgenkolf’s Phoenix, crewed by the RSYC Sailing Academy from Malaysia found exiting the parking lot difficult in Race 2 but came back with a third place in Race 3 to stay within reach of the leaders. Only 2 points separate the top four places so the series still remains very open for the taking.

In the Multihull class Tim Milner’s lighter displacement Seekronghuk added two more wins to their tally. When the wind came in Chris Runnegar’s heavier aluminum RLYC Chameleon and Bob Brindley’s X Catriot showed a turn of speed and closed the gap on the leader to exchange second and third places respectively.

These conditions tend to favour the light weight boats over the fully fiitted furniture boats and require a highly skilled and lucky tactician to stay in the wind lanes and keep the boat moving all the time. Peter Ahern’s Farr 40 Yo!2 led off the starting blocks, with the two Phuket 8’s of Scott Duncanson’s Som Tam Express and the Pattaya Team on Vino in hot pursuit. After a cat and mouse game around the course it was Scott Duncanson’s Som Tam Express that crossed the finish line first, a little over a minute ahead of Peter Ahern’s Yo!2 with Jim Poulsen’s Vino coming in third. That’s how they finished up on handicap. The fading conditions saw a lengthy delay but the sheer determination of PRO James had the IRC 1 and Firefly One Design Class completing a second race when the breeze picked up again before the time limit expired. This time Peter Ahern’s Yo!2 turned the tables on Som Tam Express to claim the daily double for race 2. Jim Poulsen’s Vino finished up with two third places.

Mike Downard’s light weight Platu 25 Evason Phuket Tua Lek also benefited from the conditions and managed to ghost around the course to claim the IRC 1 daily double by over one hour on some of the heavier boats. Niels Dgenkolf’s Phoenix, crewed by the RSYC Sailing Academy from Malaysia, put in a credible performance to score second place by a mere 26 seconds in front of Peter Dyer’s stripped out 3/4 tonner Madam Butterfly in third place. Only one race was held today.

In the Multihull class Tim Milner’s Seekronghuk scored a convincing win but a close encounter between Bob Brindley’s X Catriot and Chris Runnegar’s RLYC Chameleon saw only fifty seconds separate them at the finish, to end up second and third respectively on the only race today.

The Firefly 850 One Design class promised that every start and mark rounding would be hotly contested. Despite the light wind they never fail to deliver and watching five boats traveling in close company, exchanging positions along the way, is a bit like ballet on the water. In a come from behind move with broader and faster downwind angles Roger Kingdon’s Moto Inzi claimed two first places. After being quick off the start line and sharing the lead on several occasions Andrew Marshall’s Pink Lady and Bill Phelps Twin Sharks, helmed by class designer Mark Pescott, were eventually run down and had to settle on a mixture of second and third places on the two races. After a bad start on race two Henry Kaye’s Mamba weaved his way through the pack and seemed to pick up an extra burst of speed approaching the finish and claim third spot.

The grand old ladies in the Classic Class were given the added benefit of getting racing underway this year by starting their coastal race first. As graceful as they may be they are very slow in these conditions, so PRO James took the opportunity to get them out of the way of the racers to come. A long windward beat on a glassy sea tested the crews’ patience but they probably made up for it with ample liquid refreshments. Eventually a line of breeze appeared on the horizon and as it filled in Tom Howard’s 101 year old Danish schooner Seraph got it first which propelled them to the finish line to claim the daily double. Gunther Nutt’s Norwegian classic Kerida had every sail in the book flying but had to settle on second place. Graham Chuck’s ketch rigged Anjuna was caught out on the wrong side of the course when the breeze filled in to finish almost an hour after the leader and take third place.