MRI Admiral's Cup 2015 at Royal Varuna Yacht Club

MRI Admiral's Cup 2015 © m.v.tchelistcheff

MRI Admiral's Cup 2015 © m.v.tchelistcheff

67 young sailors descended to the Royal Varuna Yacht Club for the MRI Admiral's Cup 2015, a competition referred as the second biggest junior event in Thailand, testing the most talented sailors in the Kingdom including those who represented Thailand at the 2014 Asian Games and IODA Optimist World Championships.

Sailors from the Junior Sailing Squadron of Thailand based in Sattahip, Phuket Youth Sailing and the Korean National Team joining the 30-strong team from the Royal Varuna Yacht Club. The fleet of boats were divided into two divisions, Optimist and Laser 4.7.

The competitors were awakened to a beautiful day, a typical morning beside the Gulf of Thailand, with 10 knots of wind coming from a northerly direction. After the competitors race briefing, the sailors ventured afloat to the race course, with Suchakree Detthotappol taking the line honours in the first race, just in front of Varuna's Intira Parnpiboon.

The sea breeze kicked-in with force and wind increased to a strong 18 knots with sizeable waves, testing conditions for the young competitors. They impressively prevailed demonstrating excellent sailing skills. The second race was won by Korea's Seo Hae Chan, with Intira taking the third, not to be out-done by Seo Han who pushed his boat through the strongest winds of the day to win the forth race.

In the Laser 4.7 fleet three sailors shared the plaudits on day 1 with Alex Frefel, Kim jung Ho and Chanapai Vijikajee all taking race wins. For much of the eet, the Admiral's Cup was the first event in the faster Laser 4.7 class, and despite some spectacular capsizes all nine sailors endeavoured to finish each race.

Day 2 started with blue skies and lighter winds - expected conditions due to the earlier start. The first race of the day (fifth race in the championships) gave opportunity to the smaller and lighter sailors, notably Chanakchon Wangsuk who fought a tight battle for the race win. The wind increased to a perfect 16 knots for the next race, with Intira taking the 6th, and the final race was won again by Chanakchon. With the racing so close, the Optimist sailors went back ashore with little idea of who won the Admiral's Cup.

The Laser 4.7's raced again on the second day. Kim Jung Ho won the first race of the day, however, he was outdone by a determined Alex Frefel who won the next three races - that feat decided the overall winner.

Back ashore, the prize giving was presented by RVYC Vice-Commodore Mark Hamil-Stewart, also Managing Director of Admiral's Cup 2015 sponsor MRI International Recruitment (Thailand). Standing on top of the podium in the Optimist class was Intira Parnpiboon, the 13 year old winning her first national event.

Chanakchon Wangsuk and Suchakree Detthotappol was second and third respectively. Patcher Sringam awarded the first female under 12, and Jedtavee Yongyuennarn the first male in the same category. The youngest award went to Paravee Dangpratum, the first under 10 years - plenty of young Thai talent for the future.

In the Laser 4.7 class, the winner was Alex Frefel, with Arthit Romanak and Kim Jung Ho in Second and third.

MRI Admiral's Cup 2015 - photo © m.v.tchelistcheff

Mark Hamil-Stewart congratulated all the sailors for the quality racing, "We had a spectacular weekend of high spirited racing, demonstrating the professional level of junior sailing in Thailand. I would also like to thank all the sailors for taking part, especially those who travelled great distances to race at the MRI Admiral's Cup 2015."

Overall Results: