2nd/3rd July - Match Racing Grade 5 Event
by Chris Dando

The match racing scene seems to be growing and growing at Varuna. This, our most recent event, was the first time we have done match racing using the new RS Vision dinghies and proved a great success. Apart from some of our regular teams we had several new participants, and the locals were also joined by sailors from Singapore and Malaysia.

The Saturday was run as a double round robin event which allowed every team to sail 8 races. Wind conditions were fair but the strong tide became a challenge for all competitors. Due to the draw for pairing, Morten enjoyed a later start than the rest of the teams by sitting out the first flight of races. However he soon made up for this by stamping his authority on the rest of the fleet by posting an unbeaten record for the rest of the day. Ai Li and Nick ended the day on equal points with second place going to Ai Li as she won her final match against Nick.

Dark glasses and pale complexions seemed to be very much in vogue on Sunday morning. It obviously could not be anything to do with the party the previous night........The racing on Sunday was a round robin followed by a final for the first and second places, together with a further round robin to sort out 3rd, 4th and 5th. All teams therefore had at least 6 races to sail. Things were not quite as straightforward for Morten and his team - in the initial round robin they were beaten by Ai Li, and went into the finals as the runner up. The first finals heat was closely fought but Ai Li managed to squeeze a win. Even though his team had been beaten both in the round robin and in the first heat of the finals, Morten managed to put all behind him with a great performance to win both remaining races to snatch the overall title on Sunday. Nick sailed consistently noisily well to secure 3rd place with the final match deciding the result between Mink and John.

Some great competitive sailing over the weekend with everything being taken in good spirit -- even a few interesting, good natured, rule discussions carrying on late into the afternoon! Highlights of the weekend must be the overall performance of Morten, Apple and Su Ann who sailed extremely well. However they could do with a little coaching as they also provided some of the best entertainment:

• They were the only team to fail to enter across the start line between 4 and 2 minutes before their start
• They were the only team to get 2 penalties before the start necessitating an immediate penalty turn after they had started
• They were the only team to convert certain victory into ignominious defeat by wrapping themselves round the finish mark while trying to take a penalty turn before finishing

A great weekend well organised by Match Race Thailand -- next event is at the beginning of September. Don't miss it!