As fear gripped the region because of the growing concern over the corona virus Bay Regatta PRO and World Sailing International Race Officer, Simon James declared that Phuket was still open for business as he officially launched the Bay Regatta along with the mayor of Thalang and other dignitaries at the regatta’s opening party at the Chandara Villas Resort

And indeed it was a breath of fresh sea air to see twenty-five sailboats head out from their moorings on Thursday morning to head through some of the world’s most stunning karst topography on their four-day nautical journey.

Held this year after from the 5th to the 9th of February, the Bay Regatta is a series of passage races – an event format that catches the attention of sailors from around the world with participants coming from as far afield as Australia, Russia, the UK and Canada to compete in six classes (Racing Class, Cruising A, Cruising B, Bareboat Charter, Racing & Cruising Multihulls)

This four-day circumnavigation of Phang Nga Bay takes in three of southern Thailand's most scenic provinces–Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi–with the emphasis is on fun. Attracting the serious, the not-so-serious and the not-at-all-serious “racing” sailors, the regatta appeals to an international mix who enjoy the stunning sailing grounds of the area and a different destination each evening.

Each evening, the regatta anchors at a different venue and the sailors go ashore. Those staying ashore – more than 60% of the fleet – book accommodation and either eat in the local restaurants or enjoy the official event functions which engage with the local community. Most of the expenditure of the regatta goes directly into the local economies of the areas we visit – this has been the case since the regatta was launched and it will remain so for the future—an excellent example of how sports tourism works to the benefit of communities and local economies.

Starting in Ao Po on Phuket's east coast, after registration and an opening party yesterday evening at Chandara Resort & Spa, the yachts raced north through the stunning rocky outcrops of Phang Nga Bay finishing off Koh Yao Noi, where yachts anchored and enjoyed a prize-giving party on the beach at the Baan Chang resort.

The actual race started at Koh Naka Yai, then the participants sailed north leaving Koh Phanak and Koh Na Ka Ya to port before hitting the first mark, where the wind died down and the course had to be shortened. It was a long haul for many, but all persevered, even though it took a few boats almost six hours to finish.

World Sailing International Race Officer, Simon James had two starts for the competitors today: first off were all the monohulls (16 boats) followed by all the multihulls (9 boats). There were no real glitches, or incidents, on the course as sailboats deftly dodged the longtail fishing boats and fishing lines as they made their way across Phang Nga Bay.

In the Racing Class, John Hearne’s Pi Jui Express took first place by 1 second on corrected time with Aquari skipped by Craig Nichols coming in second and Megazip (a two-time Bay Regatta winner), skipped by Alexey Mashkin placing third overall. John Kara’s crew on Insanity finished fourth on the day.

Cruising A saw Paul Merry’s Night Train took the top spot with Steve McConaghy’s Jing Jing in second followed by Brendon Roscoe’s Lola in third, Garry Smith’s Resolution of Whitby in fourth and Jack Chamberlain’s Linda rounding out the five-boat class.

In the Cruising B class, Sergei Kataev’s Turtle edged out Tessana Mahasamuth’s Thai Team who were followed by Steve Joos’ Sengawh and Oleg Samolov’s Winds of Change.

In the Bareboat Chater Class, Kinnon, helmed by Evgenii Nikiforov took first while Venture, back from its drift to Banda Aceh, skippered by Anna Afonia finished second and AllSail Angela helmed by Russell Waddy came third.

No Fear, Fugazi and Bonza (line honors) and came one, two, three in the seven-boat Multihull A class with Twin Sharks, Phantom 5, Blue Nose and Twister 2 rounding out the pack in that order.

The Cruising Multis class saw Mark Horwood’s Charro edge out Andrew de Bruin’s Multihull Solutions Neel 51.

The Bay Regatta was originally described thus: “It takes sailors through the three provinces of Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi allowing participants to experience the best of southern Thai hospitality and the unrivaled sailing grounds in the area. They sail amongst 200-metre high karsts and past hidden bays on their way to party under-the-stars on an idyllic beach.”

That description still rings true today.