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The Sawadee.com Regatta, taking place in Koh Samui
(Thailand) between 1 and 6 June 2009 already looks like being the
largest and most exciting Samui International Regatta to date.
The popular event has added three days of 12
foot Skiff racing to lead into the schedule. The racing from
29th-31st May, which will be set on a course as close as possible
to Samui’s Chaweng Beach, is not only exhilarating to compete in,
but also fun to watch. Teams from archrivals Australia and New
Zealand will compete head-to-head for the honours.
Six Skiffs from Sydney, Australia, and six from
Auckland, New Zealand, will be shipped by container, courtesy of
Maersk Line, to arrive in Samui in time for the first race on the
29th May. Whenever Australia and New Zealand meet to compete in
any sporting fixture, fierce competition is always guaranteed.
The 12ft Skiff is a
development class that is sailed in New South Wales and Queensland
in Australia and also in New Zealand. Its exact origin is unknown,
but dates back to the small Skiffs that were often seen out on
Sydney Harbour in the late 1800's. Today, the contested Skiff
regattas are the State, Australian and Interdominion
Championships.
Skiff boats normally run 2 or 3 carbon masts
with a combination of sails giving 4 rig combinations, meaning
that the boats can easily race in 5-35 knots. Handling a 12 ft
Skiff requires multiple skills that include boat handling, tuning,
boat maintenance and training.
Callum Laing is Chairman of the
Sawadee.com Regatta “The new 12 ft Skiffs are one of the most
thrilling and distinct classes in sailing and we are anticipating
some great racing. We’re also thrilled to announce that the Twelve
Foot Skiff Association of Australia has kindly offered to donate
one skiff to support the building of a Skiff class locally – a
wonderful gesture that not only supports youth sailing but that is
also in sync with the ‘spirit’ of sailing on the island.”
The
Skiff racing will set the right tone for the start of the 2009
Sawadee.com Regatta - one of Asia’s leading sailing events that is
part of the Asian Yachting Grand Prix Championships.
A full
regatta fleet is expected from Thailand, Australia, New Zealand,
Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai and further afield.
The addition of
exciting Skiff racing can only add to the festival atmosphere of
the Regatta - that includes great sailing and fun
parties all set against the backdrop of exotic Koh Samui.
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