Thailand OMJ Platu Champs 2024, part 2

Thai National Platu Championship r2024. Round 2 © Thammasak Meeyousamsen

Day 1. The Platus are back out on the water in Pattaya, dukin' it out at Ocean Marina Jomtien. This is round 2 of the Thailand OMJ Platu Champs, and once again it was fantastic to have seven boats on the start line.

Racing (or lack thereof) got off to an AP on shore for an hour. The RC managed to get a quick 1st race away in shifty breeze, variable 200-180° at 5-7 knots. The breeze came in steadily through the first race, and the RO lengthened the track to 0.8nm for the second. By the third race, the fleet was sailing in 20+ kts, and everyone "had a bit on".

Thai National Platu Championship r2024. Round 2 - photo © Thammasak Meeyousamsen

The breeze backed off a little for the remaining two races of the day, but there were still snakes and ladders out there for every team to find and to take advantage of. It was tight at the top, and good to see various winners throughout the day. An especial shout out to newcomer Peter Farrugia representing RPAYC Australia with a chartered boat, who performed extremely well with a win in Race 3. Many thanks to RO Thammasak Meeyousamsen for getting the five races in - cheers, job well done.

Day 2

Unfortunately the wind gods decided to take a day off, or go shopping or something. As a result there was absolutely no racing on Saturday, which is extremely rare around here. There were a few storm cells coming up from the south all morning, and lots of lightning strikes in the race area. Crews waited patiently ashore, and watched and waited while the wind did multiple 360s and eventually died off completely. The 'AP over A' was raised at 14.00h.

Thai National Platu Championship r2024. Round 2 - photo © Thammasak Meeyousamsen

Day 3

Racing started on time due to some gritty determination on the part of the RO. There was light breeze for races 6 through 8 from 280-300°, with a wobbly 6-8 kts before another front came through and killed the wind with some soothing rain that also served to reduce the heat soak.

After the front passed, the ninth race started with a small shift that made it a quick affair. And then, after trying to get the Double Points Race away, the breeze decided it had had enough and the rest of the day's racing was canned. Rolf Heemskerk ending up at the top of the podium by just one skinny point from Chris Way's Easy Tiger Racing, and close in third was Ithinai Yingsiri and Team Pine Pacific.

Well done all, and great racing.

Overall Results:

Thai National Platu Championship r2024. Round 2 - photo © Thammasak Meeyousamsen