The Bay Regatta is a series of inshore and coastal races, which prides itself on its parties and ending up in an unusual destination every night. The amazing limestone towers of Phang Nga Bay create ideal backdrops for the vivid sails of the fleet.

This regatta appeals to the serious, the not-so-serious and the not-at-all-serious “racing” sailors, combining spectacular natural scenery with lively parties and some sail boat racing. The region’s yachting community visited three of Thailand's most scenic provinces (Phuket, Phang Nga & Krabi) in four days of racing and five nights of partying. Entrants came from as far as Russia (7 boats), Australia, UK, & Canada to compete for honours in six competing classes (Racing, Cruising A, Cruising B, Bareboat Charter, Multihull & Fireflies).

Affectionately known as “The Fun Regatta”, camaraderie and fun are cornerstones of the event and participants end up reliving each day’s sailing with post-race beverages and lively conversation followed by a casual dinner, a prize-giving ceremony and entertainment on shore.

This relaxed sailing experience follows Phuket’s famous King’s Cup Regatta by two months, contrasting with the serious nature of its bigger brother as many participants sleep aboard their boats as the fleet moves around its four-day circumnavigation of the Bay.

Days three racing off of Ao Nang took the fleet around Koh Man, Koh Dam Kwan, Koh Khom, Koh Wa Sam and Koh Ya Man, before heading back to the finish alongside committee boat Seraph.

Racing Class for day three saw Fujin, Emagine, Megazip finish 1,2, 3 with* Phoenix, Team Ferret* & the Fargo Ladies Team finishing 4th, 5th 6th in the order. So Scott Bradley Emagine still leads the group with five points; Megazip is in second with eight points and Fujin moves up to third with ten.

Phang Nga Bay reverberated with the howls of “Yee Ha” as Jim Ellis’ Remington took the Cruising A class yet again with Lady Bubbly in second and Mohawk in third. Thaiassa, Linda & Salina rounded out the Cruising A class. Remington’s three straight wins left it atop this class with three points. Tony Bynes’ Mohawk sits in second with seven and Woodrow Christenson’s Linda is in third with 12 points.

Cruising B saw Selma, Tongfah & Rate finish in the top three with Aqua, Poco in 4th & 5th respectively and Sanook with a DNS. That left Ket Mangklaeseranee’s Tongfah in first with 7 points, a tied for second between Sergei Djkanov’s Rate and Cedric Remaud’s Selma and Kevin Gillow’s Poco in third with ten points.

Bareboat charters saw Papasha Grizly win again with *Sumalee *coming in second* and Little Eva* in third. Kinnon Allsail Isabella and *Allsail Uhuru* came 4th 5th & 6th to round out the placings in this class. After three races, Igor Skvortcov’s* Papasha Grizly* sits first in first place with three points, Stanislas Pechenkin’s Little Eva is second with seven points and Igor Lin’s Kinnon is in third with eleven points.

Multihulls saw Asia Catamarans Hurricane first, Java second, Wow third, *Twin Sharks* fourth, Blue Noze fifth, Voodoo *sixth, Adrenaline* seventh, Galeforce in eighth, and Allegro in ninth. This left *Mick Coleman’s Java* ahead of the pack with six points, Asia Catamarans Hurricane in second with eight points *and Twin Sharks *in third with ten points.

Firefly finishes saw Twin Sharks, Blue Noze &* Voodoo* win place & show, so after three races *Twin Sharks *leads with four points, Voodoo has six and Blue Noze has eight.

The evening’s party and prize giving took place at Aonang Villa Resort with Andy Dowden and Phil Vidal acting as co-Mcs. The regatta heads back to Ao Chalong for the final day of racing tomorrow.