Daily results are available online at http://www.bayregatta.com/2019results

Fugazi, who debuted in the 2018 Bay Regatta, easily took line honors as its prone to do crossing the finish line on day one of the 2019 Bay Regatta with an elapsed time of 02:32:31, this ended up being 02:35:16 when handicap was applied for first spot in her class and as always, she was a stunning sight to see soaring through Phang Nga Bay’s stunning karst topography.

Held this year after the Chinese New Year from 13th to 16th February, The Bay Regatta is a series of passage races – an event format that catches the attention of sailors from around the world with participants coming from as far afield as Australia, Russia, the UK and Canada to compete in five classes (Racing Class, Cruising A, Cruising B, Bareboat Charter & Racing Multihulls)

This four-day circumnavigation of Phang Nga Bay takes in three of southern Thailand's most scenic provinces–Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi–with the emphasis is on fun. Attracting the serious, the not-so-serious and the not-at-all-serious “racing” sailors, the regatta appeals to an international mix who enjoy the stunning sailing grounds of the area and a different destination each evening.

Each evening, the regatta anchors at a different venue and the sailors go ashore. Those staying ashore – more than 60% 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 we visit – 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 in Ao Po on Phuket's east coast, after registration and an opening party yesterday evening at Chandara Resort & Spa, the yachts raced north through the stunning rocky outcrops of Phang Nga Bay finishing off Koh Yao Noi, where yachts anchored and enjoyed a prize-giving party on the beach at Koh Yao Chukit resort.

The actual race started at Koh Naka Yai, then the participants sailed north leaving Koh Phanak and Koh Na Ka Ya to port before rounding the first mark, northeast of Koh Yai, to starboard and then passing Hin Mot Daeng to port and Koh Batang to starboard before finishing off of Koh Kudu Yai –approximately 17 nautical miles in length

PRO and race organizer Simon James had two starts for the competitors today: first off were all the monohulls (22 boats) followed by all the multihulls (7 boats). There were no real glitches, or incidents, on the course as sailboats deftly dodged the longtail fishing boats and fishing lines as they made their way across Phang Nga Bay.

As the wind did die down, the course was shortened for the and taken back to the first mark for the Cruising Classes and Bareboat Charter Class.

In the Racing Class, Scott Bradley’s East Marine took first place and line honors in the six-boat class with Uminokoskipped by Vitalii Plaksin coming in second anf Megazip (a two-time Bay Regatta winner), skipped by Alexey Mashkin placing third overall. Aquari,Jessandra IIand Ramrod came fourth, fifth and sixth in that order

Cruising A saw Paul Merry’s Night Train take the top spot with Kirill Stashevskly’s Winds of Changein second and Brendon Roscoe’s Lola in third in the six-boast class.

In Cruising B, Niels Degenkolw’s Phoenix, who was won this regatta numerous times claimed first overall finishing a half-an-hour ahead of Andriy Gubriyenko’s Pinocchio while Kevin Gillow’s sentimental favorite Poco placed third in the six-boat class.

In the Bareboat Class, Kinnon, helmed by Konstantin Nazarenko, took first while Venture skippered by Stanislav Pechenkin, finished second and AllSail Tonicola helmed by Russell Waddy (the only non-Russian entry in the class) came third with Denis Aksenov Uhuru coming last in the four-boat class.

Fugazi, Blue Nozeand Twisted 2came one, two, three in the seven-boat Multihull class with both Bladerunner and Twin Sharks receiving a DNF.

John Newnham’s Twin Sharkshad to unfortunately pull out of the regatta due to a ripped sail. This was certainly a disappointment as crew members had flown in from the UK and the US to participate in the event.

The Bay Regatta takes sailors through the three provinces of Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi allowing participants to experience the best of southern Thai hospitality and the unrivaled sailing grounds in the area. They sail amongst 200-metre high karsts and past hidden bays on their way to a party under-the-stars on an idyllic beach.

About The Bay Regatta

The Bay Regatta was launched in 1998 by a group of Phuket-based sailing enthusiasts and a photographer who wished to showcase the stunning beauty of the Phuket/ Phang Nga/ Krabi seascapes.

Co-Sponsors: The Tourism Authority of Thailand, Vacation Village Yacht Charters, Budget Car and Truck Rental, Castle Creek and Raymarine..

Regatta Partners: Chandara Resort and Spa, Haadthip, Jungceylon, Phra Nang Inn, Koh Yao Chukit Resort. Rainman Watermakers.

Local Supporters: Electrical Marine, B&G, Octopus Marine.

Media Partners: Class Act Media, Phuket News, SEA Yachting, Check In Surat Magazine, Marine Directory Asia, & aBoat.

The Bay Regatta is organised by Regattas Asia under the auspices of the Phuket Yacht Club. The event is supported by the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand and the Tourism Authority of Thailan

For more information, visit www.bayregatta.comor www.facebook.com/bayregatta(Detailed courses can be viewed at www.bayregatta.com/courses).

About Regattas Asia

Regattas Asia is a brand name of Phuket and More Co. Ltd., established in 2001 with over 18 years’ involvement in the organisation of leading marine events in Asia. Regattas Asia has become a prominent player in Asia's regattas industry, with an innovative approach to the management of major sailing events in the region, and provides services to the following events: Phuket King's Cup Regatta, Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek, the Sabang International Regatta (Indonesia), Royal Langkawi International Regatta (Malaysia), Hainan Around the Island Regatta (China), & the China Cup International Regatta.

Regattas Asia are sole organisers of The Bay Regatta and Samui Regatta (www.regattas.asia).