Seven kids from Samui Yacht Club joined nine from Phuket Yacht Club last weekend for the hotly-contested two-day inaugural Island Trophy Optimist regatta.
The junior sailors completed seven races, with their best six results counting towards the awards. The wind arrived on Saturday morning as forecast, fluctuating between 7-10 knots, as the eager sailors rigged their boats and sailed out to the race area in Phuket's Ao Yon (Yon Bay).
The first day saw five races completed in close racing around a short windward/leeward course. Two races were scheduled for the second day, but on a dead-calm Sunday morning, competitors wondered whether there would be enough wind to get any racing at all. A quick rain squall saved the day and conditions improved with just enough wind to start the sixth race.
After two exciting and challenging days for the kids, the overall Island Trophy was won by the visiting team from Samui Yacht Club Regatta against a strong challenge from the less-experienced Phuket sailors, who picked up a few well-deserved individual first and second places.
While the kids were on the water fighting it out for the medals and trophies, families and friends onshore chilled out at Phuket Yacht Club's beachfront club house with cold beers, a BBQ and some lively analysis of the kids' performance � and the race committee's antics.
For further information on the Phuket Yacht Club and its activities, contact Katy Gooch at phuketyachtclub@gmail.com
