Disarray at Kings Cup

Andrew Owen reports on today's controversial start in Phuket

After extraordinary scenes at the startline Clariden Karakoa romped home in the Royal Phuket Marina Andaman Sea Race only to be protested by second placed Hi Fidelity. And then official protests flew and under the weight of all the protests the International Jury have postponed a final decision until the morning.

Wind speeds at the startline were already at 15 knots and the line had been set such that it heavily favoured the pin end. So all 30 boats in this particular start were aiming for one small patch of water beside a buoy. As Ray Ordoveza , skipper on Clariden Karakoa put it “when a start line is set like that you know that there is a patch of water of about 50 square meters and that you have to be in it. 90% of the time a boat that is in that patch of water will go on to win the race. So everyone is aiming at it, everyone is pushing, there is shouting - and you are at the helm of a 10 tonne craft without any breaks. Quite frankly, it’s terrifying and not a little dangerous!”.

Most of the fleet were aiming at the mark and were travelling on a port tack. Nerves were already on edge as everyone aimed at the same patch of water. And then, 30-seconds before the start Hi Fidelity gybed and headed back towards the pin on a starboard tack. Suddenly all eyes in the fleet turned as Hi Fidelity charged towards them in a very aggressive manoeuvre. The fleet would either have to give way to her, or risk disqualification. It’s a high risk move - and an aggressive one, particularly for the leading boat.

The tactic seemed to work and most boats did give way, and a few others ploughed on, later stating that they were unable to do otherwise. It was literally inches between these huge yachts and miraculously no boats collided. Clariden Karakoa got away into the front followed by Hi Fidelity and it was a mix of boats behind who were unable to follow their racing line.

The race was a drag strip south around Koh Racha Yai with two long reaches in winds up to 20 knots. Clariden Karakoa is built for these conditions and she flew ahead. Hi Fidelity chased but by the line it was clear that Clariden Karakoa had a superb time.

Back at shore the protests began to fly and the International Jurors sat for long hours sifting through the comments and complaints. On the Jury sits one Brian Willis, who was Chairman of the Jury for the last (and next) America’s Cup, and the rest of the panel are no less reputable. So all the sailors can be sure of a fair hearing, but it soon became clear that a clear resolution to all the protests would have to wait until the morning.

Across the other divisions Big Buzzard (Thailand) leads in Premier Cruising, Ruby Tuesday (Hong Kong) in IRC1, Royal Thai Navy 2 (Thailand) in IRC2, Simba in IRC3, Gladys Guttenburg in Ocean Rover, Long White Cloud in Classic and Lattitude 8 Cyrene in Ocean Multihulls.

Tomorrow (Thursday) the fleet rest and crews explore Phuket. Racing at the 17th Phuket King’s Cup will resume on Friday.

Below - the legendary Neil Pryde