Story by Vivaldi PR, photos by Scott Murray editor from Sea Yachting Magazine

The tropical paradise of Koh Samui hosted the prestigious Samui Regatta, at Chaweng Beach. The center and host venue for this year event was Nora Beach Resort and Spa. The regatta is a prestigious fixture in the international sailing calendar featuring keelboats racing in the same IRC Open class. There are five days of sailing, including an exciting mid-week pursuit race. and one lay day. After every race there was a daily prize-giving.

At the opening ceremony, Mr. Jetsada Jitrat, Governor of Surat Thani Province, said, “On behalf of Surat Thani Province, we are delighted to host the 21st Samui Regatta, a world-renowned sailing event and welcome sailors who will travel from around the world. Koh Samui is considered a beautiful island and a popular destination for international tourists due to beautiful beach and various sea travel activities. With its tropical and beautiful scenery, along with comprehensive facilities including hotels, restaurants, two airports, berths, and world-class hospitality, we are ready to facilitate local and international sailors and tourists visiting the island.”

Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), highlighted the event's role in shaping Koh Samui's tourism landscape over the past two decades. “The Tourism Authority of Thailand is thrilled to contribute to promoting international sports competitions, bolstering Koh Samui's reputation as a sought-after destination for global tourists. Sailing, as a lifestyle activity, plays a pivotal role in effectively promoting tourism by attracting tourists annually, thereby raising awareness of Samui among Thai and foreign visitors. This contributes to both tourism revenue growth and the overall quality and quantity of tourists, promoting sustainable tourism.”

Simon James, Race Director of the 21st Samui Regatta, noted the event's successful history of attracting international sailors for 21 consecutive years, adding, "Participants experience the picturesque scenery of the Gulf of Thailand as top sailors from Hong Kong, North America, Australia, and Europe have formed international crews to compete this year. Boats have traveled over 1,200 miles from Hong Kong, Phuket, and nearby Pattaya to join us.”

Race Day One

The 21st Samui Regatta 2024 set sail with Hong Kong’s Zannekin, skippered by Marcel Liedts, securing victories in both races on the opening day. The regatta saw keen competition in the IRC Open class. Following Zannekin, Freefire, skippered by Sam Chan from Hong Kong, placed second and Iolanthe 3, led by Australian skipper Terry Foster, came third overall. Steve McConaghy’s Aftershock and Garth Riley’s Tenacious rounded out the competition, finishing fourth and fifth respectively in the IRC Open class.

Race Director Simon James noted the challenging conditions faced by competitors. "The first race day started with light variable winds of 4-6 knots, but we managed to complete two races. Each race lasted about one and a half hours, with only a few minutes separating most of the fleet after corrected time handicaps were applied."

Race Day Two

Race day two saw sailors contend with light, variable winds. A breeze of just 7 knots tested the skills of the competitors, but it did not prevent thrilling contests on the water. Despite the challenging conditions, Hong Kong’s Zannekin, skippered by Marcel Liedts, maintained its dominance, securing the top spot in the overall results of the IRC Open class.

In the day’s first race, Australian skipper Terry Foster on his newly purchased A35 Iolanthe 3 claimed victory, followed closely by Zannekin while another Australian team, Garth Riley’s Adams 10 Tenacious, placed third.

The second race saw Zannekin take the top spot, with Hong Kong’s Freefire, skippered by Sam Chan, and Steve McConaghy’s Aftershock taking second and third place, respectively.

Race Day Three

Race day three featured a passage race from Koh Samui to its sister island Koh Phangan and back. Challenging conditions with many changes in wind direction and wind strength from 3 to 12 knots keep crews and tacticians on their toes.

Hong Kong-based Zannekin, a Ker 46 skippered by Marcel Liedts, claimed victory again, topping the leaderboard for the third straight day. Following closely in second place was A35 Iolanthe 3, skippered by Australian Terry Foster representing Thailand’s Ocean Marina Yacht Club, with Australian Steve McConaghy’s Aftershock taking third. Hong Kong's Sam Chan on Freefire and Garth Riley’s Adams 10 Tenacious secured fourth and fifth places, respectively.

Race Day Four

Race day four took place south of Samui Island, featuring and exciting Pursuit Race and two races for the IRC Open Class.

Simon James, Race Director, said “After a night of thunderstorms and rain, the sailors woke to a windlass sea, but after a brief AP Ashore, while the race committee checked the area, racing got underway on schedule with a 17-mile pursuit race. The smallest boat on the fleet, Garth Riley's Adams 10 from Australia lead the starts at 10:05 followed by the rest of the fleet at allocated times with the bigger boats starting more than 45 minutes later.”

With winds building between 10 and 18 knots, the larger boats hunted down the early starters with Marcel Leidts' Ker 46 Zannekin from Hongkong just catching Terry Fosters' A35 Iolanthe from Australia on the finish line, closely followed by Hongkong’s Freefire, and Tenacious and Aftershock from Australia. The race was also scored under IRC using the individual start times, with Sam Chan's TP52 Freefire coming out in front of Zannekin and Iolanthe.

“With all boats crossing the finish line very close together the race management team quickly reset the course into a 1.5 mile windward/leeward race. As the storm clouds built and winds increased to 25 knots, it was an exciting spectacle with Iolanthe coming in 1st on corrected time, closely followed by Zannekin, Freefire, Tenacious and Aftershock,” said Simon.

Australian Terry Foster, skipper of A35 Iolanthe 3, said, “This year is the second time we joined the Samui Regatta. We have been very impressed with the regatta arrangement, fun racing and hospitality of Koh Samui. Today was the best racing of the regatta. The first race was a pursuit passage race whereby the RO (Simon James) used a predictive IRC algorithm to calculate the start times of the various yachts with the intention of predicting a cracking and close finish…and that was exactly how it played out with Zannekin eclipsing Iolanthe just as the finishing line was crossed. The 10 to 15 knots breeze was the best of the series and Simon kept the fleet on the course to do a quick two laps of windward/leeward racing in a building breeze peaking at 25 knots. The sailors showed excellent seamanship skills to get their boats around the course clocking boat speeds up to 18 knots. All crews have said that it was the best day of sailing for the series!”

Race Day Five

Hongkong’s Zannekin claimed overall victory, standing atop the podium of the 21st Samui Regatta 2024. All international sailors and crew enjoy the closing ceremony and prize-giving gala dinner, held at Nora Beach Resort and Spa. This year edition not only showcased competitive sailing but also significantly boosted Samui and Thailand reputation as a premier sports tourism destination.

After five days of racings, the overall standing saw Hong Kong-based Zannekin, a Ker 46, atop the leader board, followed by A35 Iolanthe 3, out of Ocean Marina, in second place and Hong Kong's Freefire (TP52), in third place. Aftershock, a Davidson 58, and Tenacious an Adams 10, both from Australia, placed fourth and fifth, respectively.

Simon James, Race Director said, “On last day, after an AP ashore, all yachts set off for a final light wind windward/leeward course. Team Tenacious stayed ashore to wait for an engineer to fix a few issues before their return to Pattaya. Following close racing between Freefire and Zannekin, Iolanthe 3, sailing with some of the crew from Tenacious, crept in to win the race on corrected time, securing second place on the regatta podium.

“This past week was quite challenging for both sailors and the race committee, as we encountered a wide range of wind and tidal conditions, leading to some very intense racing. The IRC Open class demonstrated that smaller yachts can successfully compete alongside larger ones under the IRC Rating system when a mix of courses is provided. The Pursuit race was particularly exciting, with boats finishing only seconds apart after 17 miles of sailing.

“I want to express my gratitude to our on-water team, including our local "wind whistler" Saard Panyawan and his team from Saard Watersports, as well as our Start Boat owners and their crew from team from Sunne, for their invaluable help in making this a memorable week. The support from the great Regattas Asia Team was truly appreciated by all competitors, who couldn't have asked for a better experience each evening.”

In closing, Ms. Orawintanee Wattana, Event Director of the Samui Regatta stated “This event has created lasting memories and experiences for sailors from around the world. The Samui Regatta is not only a challenging and enjoyable sailing competition, but it also provides significant benefits to the community by boosting spending and stimulating the tourism industry in the province and throughout Thailand.”

Admiral Thanee Phudpat, Vice President, Yacht Racing Association of Thailand who presided over the closing ceremony and prize-giving gala dinner said "The Samui Regatta, with its 20-year history, stands as one of Thailand's finest events, playing a pivotal role in promoting tourism and sailing sport. Aligned with the current government policy of utilizing sports to bolster the economy, this competition not only focuses on its competitive nature, but also strives to invigorate the entire country's economy and present Thailand as a premier destination for sailing sports. By hosting major international sailing competitions, it enhances awareness of Thailand's prowess in this field and contributes to the growth of sea tourism in Surat Thani province, ultimately resulting in direct and indirect economic stimulation for the country as a whole."

Jason Rowed, Tactician of Zannekin, the winning boat of the 21st Samui Regatta, chimed in by saying, “Our experience at the Samui Regatta was highly enjoyable. Each race of the day presented its own unique challenges, as we engaged in constant battles with other boats. As a result, the outcome of the race relied heavily on our performance right up to the finish line. Yet, beyond the competition, Samui itself captured our hearts. it is impossible to not fall in love with Samui. Its exquisite location, nice wind, warm-hearted people, joyful atmosphere, and delightful food and beverage. Samui truly is a sailor's paradise!"

About the Samui Regatta :

The Samui Regatta Organizing Committee organizes the Samui Regatta in collaboration with the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand under the Royal Patronage, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Tourism Association of Koh Samui, the Surat Thani Province, the Sports Authority of Thailand, and Regatta Asia.

Co-sponsors included The Nora Hotel Group, the Chaweng Regent Beach Resort, Bangkok Airways, Bangkok Hospital Samui, Haad Thip PCL, Frank Pong & Team Jelik, Singha, Samui VertiColor, Chaweng Gardens Beach Resort and SUNNE. Media Partners includes VivaldiPR, the Thailand Marine Guide, and Sea Yachting Magazine.

The Samui Regatta is the islands longest running sports event and solidifies Thailand’s position as a premier sailing destination and an essential stop in the Asian yachting circuit. Since its inception in 2001 with a modest fleet of beach catamarans, the Samui Regatta experienced remarkable growth up until 2019, rapidly expanding each year and is now in a rebuilding process post covid. The event’s objectives remain focused on increasing tourism to Koh Samui, elevating the profile of sailing in Asia, and promoting water sports activities.

For more information on participating in the Samui Regatta or to registration, please visit the regatta's website at https://www.samuiregatta.com and update activities on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamuiRegatta