27th May 2026 - 21:26Scott Murray - Sea Yachting Magazine
Wind teases competitors on third day of Samui Regatta.
Alive, closely followed by Team Hollywood
After a brief AP ashore, the start vessel had 12+ knots of breeze. The fleet was released to race.
As competitors made their way to the first race start, both the water and wind went flat. There was fear that sailors would bake under the midday sun.
The start area was relocated around the Southern Chaweng Headland as the wind began to build, allowing the race committee to set a coastal course south of the island. Teams rounded mark 4 (Lamai) to port, then Hin Ang Wang to port. They passed through the safety gate, leaving the cardinal mark to port, and returned to the finish line.
Iolanthe 3 had trouble navigating the area around the reef because they couldn't judge the water's depth. They decided to withdraw from the race, turn around, and retrace their course along the island's south coast. However, they did not inform the rest of the fleet. The others only found out when the Mark Boat asked their location and learned they had retired.
By this time, Alive, Team Hollywood, and Aftershock had returned to the starting area. They prepared for a 7-mile one-lap windward-leeward course in testing conditions. It would have taken Iolanthe 3 about an hour to return to the start. So, the decision was made to start the second race without them and to award them an FPA finishing position.
In the first race, Alive again grabbed line honours (01:22:16). But after corrected time was factored in, they finished 7.5 minutes behind Team Hollywood and 5 minutes ahead of Aftershock.
In the second race, Alive captured their fifth straight line honours. Team Hollywood spotted a major wind shift and gybed to finish at speed, winning on corrected time. Team Hollywood finished two-and-a-half minutes ahead of Aftershock, who celebrated a second-place finish ahead of Alive.
After three days, five races, and one drop, Team Hollywood leads the 23rd Samui Regatta with 4 points. Alive has 7 points, Aftershock 12, and Iolanthe 14.
Sailors then rushed back to the Nora Beach Resort. The resort had graciously set up special TV screens and opened the bar so Australians could watch the "State of Origin" Australian football match at 17.00.
Once the game was over, daily prizes were presented by Bangkok Hospital Samui, followed by a mass exodus of sailors disappearing to sample the delights of Samui nightlife, as Thursday will be a lay-day.
Racing resumes on Friday with two races scheduled. There will be a final race on Saturday to decide the regatta, with the closing party at The Fair House Beach Resort & Hotel.
The Samui Regatta, a prestigious event in the sailing calendar, runs from May 24 to May 30, 2026. Keelboats race in the same IRC Open class. The event is centred at Nora Beach Resort and Spa, providing an ideal backdrop for participants and spectators.
The Samui Regatta Committee organises the event in collaboration with the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand under the Royal Patronage, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Tourism Association of Koh Samui, the Surat Thani Province, and Regatta Asia.
The 23rd' Samui Regatta's sponsors and supporters include Samui Tourism Promotion Association, Nora Beach Resort & Spa, Fair House Beach Resort & Hotel, Chaweng Regent Beach Resort Beach Resort, HaadThip Public Company Limited, Frank Pong's Jelik, UK Sailmakers, Samui Verticolor Hotel, Chaweng Garden Beach Resort, Bangkok Airways, Bangkok Samui Hospital, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Media Partners include Vivaldi PR, Thailand Marine Guide, and SEA Yachting Magazine.
About the Samui Regatta:
The Samui Regatta is the island's longest-running sporting event. It reinforces Thailand's status as a premier sailing destination and a key stop on the Asian yachting circuit. The event began in 2001 with a modest fleet of beach catamarans. Since then, it has grown remarkably and gained recognition among international sailors.
Regatta Asia organises the event. The regatta aims to increase tourism to Koh Samui, elevate the profile of sailing in Asia, and promote water sports participation.
For more information on taking part in the Samui Regatta or to register, visit the regatta's website at https://www.samuiregatta.com. For updates, check Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamuiRegatta.
