The poster says, “Join Thailand’s Fun Regatta with 4 days of great racing while visiting four stunning destinations. Fantastic parties and daily prize giving” — and that pretty well sums it up. The 19th Bay Regatta ran true to its hype.

In the final day of racing the Multihulls sailed a 33nm course; after starting off of Ao Nang they kept Koh Yam, and then Koh Dam Hok & Koh Dam Khwan to starboard, passing the Koh Khom group further on to starboard, through the gate at Hin Mu Sang Nua on to their finish just out of Ao Chalong. The rest of the course sailed a shortened 17nm course out from Ao Nang finishing at Hin Mu Sang Nua.

The Racing class on the final day was won by Megazip with Emagine and Fujin coming in second and third. This meant that Scott Bradley’s Emagine emerged victorious overall with Megazip in second with 9 points and Fujin, featuring the Great Peter Sorenson, coming in third with 13 points. Long-time Bay Regatta Cruising Class winner Neils Degenkolw took fourth on Phoenix and the Fargo Ladies Team, with the sensational Liz Schoch skippering, ended settling for fifth overall even though they did win the first race and Team Ferret came last in the top division, although the Platu battled hard against the bigger boats throughout.

Cruising A honours on the last day went to Thalassa with Lady Bubbly and Remington coming in second and third. This broke Remington’s string of three-straight first-place finishes but Jim Ellis’ team did still the win the overall title with Tony Bynes’ Mohawk coming in second with 11 points and Chris Mitchell’s Lady Bubbly finishing third with 13 points. Fourth spot went Thalassa, 5th to Linda and the mysterious Salina came sixth.

Cruising B saw Tongfah grab top spot on the final day with Poco and Aqua coming next in line. This enabled Ket Mangklaeseranee’s boat, the only all-Thai team in the regatta, to win their division with 8 points, while Kevin Gillow’s Poco, last year’s winner, tied Selma with 12 points, but took second overall based on a higher finish on the last day (second). Rate came 4th followed by Aqua and Sanook in this six-boat division.

Bareboat Charters saw Papasha Grizly win for the fourth day straight day—the only the only boat to sweep its class. Little Eva and *Sumalee *came in second and third on the day. In the overall standings, *Papasha Grizly* and *Little Eva* kept those one, two spots, but Kinnon snuck in to take third place, in a class dominated by Russian sailors. Sumalee, Allsail Isabella and *Allsail Uhuru* came 4th 5th & 6th to round out this division.

Multihulls saw Blue Noze, Asia Catamarans Hurricane come one, two and three. *This meant that Java* took the overall title with 11 points, *Asia Catamarans Hurricane* came second with 12 points, *and Voodoo *was third with 13 points. Twin Sharks was fourth, followed by* WOW, Blue Noze*, Galeforce, Adrenaline and Allegro.

Firefly finishes saw Blue Noze, Voodoo & Twin Sharks finish one, two, three and that’s the way the overall standings finished in this tightly fought class, which saw all entrees finish with an 8-point total, but Blue Noze took the crown on two first-place finishes while Voodoo edged out *Twin Sharks* on the final day to gain second spot.

The final party and prize giving was held at O2 Beach Club in Ao Chalong, as it has been for the last few years.

Co-sponsors for this year’s Bay Regatta were Chang, Mekhong, 100 Plus, Neil Pryde, the Paradise Koh Yao Beach Resort & Spa and O2 Beach Club.

Regatta partners included the Chandara Resort & Spa, Haad Thip, Jungceylon, Krabi Boat Lagoon, Mangosteen Resort & Spa, MOOSE, Nivea & Paradise Beach. Jungceylon & MOOSE.

Regattas Asia is the event organizer and The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Yacht Racing Authority of Thailand (YRAT) and the Phuket Yacht Club (ACYC) are the supporting authorities.

Local supporters include Ao Nang Villa Resort, B&G, Electrical Marine, Infinity Communications, Octopus Electrical Services, Phuket Boat Lagoon, Prestige Marine & S/Y Seraph. The official media partners are Class Act Media, SEA Yachting, the Greater Phuket Magazine and One Coast.

The chartered committee boat was the 110-yr-old Seraph, graciously supplied by Tom Howard and skippered by Bruce Issel. Credit much go to all of Simon James’ on-water committee including Chandran, Hugh, Susaan, Phil, Jane, Andy, Gigi and Eddie, while Kae Wattana’s minions performed admirably making shore all the on-shore activities took place without a hitch.

The thing about the Bay Regatta is that anyone who is anyone in the Phuket Sailing Committee has played a role in keeping this regatta going. Some of those folks sailing the 19th event included PYC Commodore - Scott Duncanson, Mark Horwood & Mick Kealy.

Next year marks the 20th anniversary of the Bay Regatta and organizer Simon James has already said he hopes to return Chong Lat, the home of many classic Bay Regatta parties, and one of the most stunning anchorages in this region.