Since we were supposed to race in class 2, we had only a valid Thaicap certificate, not an IRC 2006 certificate, under which the TOTG was racing. The commitee said that they had requested and paid for an IRC rating for Thairaver, but later at the Samui regatta it came out that it was the wrong rating, the changes made to Thairaver were not included. So, apart from being in the wrong class, we were also racing with the wrong rating. Not very encouraging!!!!
Also there was only one sportsboat, which had the class for itself.
Being now it its third year, the Top Of The Gulf regatta seems to fail in attracting racing keelboats. Class 2 this year had a good competitive fleet, growing every year.
Since the weather had been quite bad in the days leading to the start of the regatta, the opening party was held at the indoor swimming pool. A wise decision by Ocean Marina managent.
After the first race day it was clear for everybody to see that both boats, Amanda and Thairaver, didn't belong in this class. After fierce discussions the commitee agreed to re-schedule Amanda, crewed by the girls from SMU, to class 2 but with a DNS for the first race day. However no mercy for Thairaver, which had to remain in class 1.
The Ramon Land party was held at their new project, together with the rugby teams that had a tournament of their own, also sponsored by Ramon Land.
After raceday 2, our foredeck Chaff got "sick" and didn't join us anymore. Maybe the disappointement was to much for him, but that shouldn't be a reason to let the team down.
The distance race on the third day, to a mark in Pattaya bay in front of Northshore condominium, we joined the fleet of class 2. This was ofcourse without competition, but just so we had some boats around us to sail with, instead of finishing after dark which would have happened if we would have joined class 1.
The last day the commitee had 2 windward-leeward race scheduled. Due to bad weather the second race was cancelled, while Thairaver was on the last leg of the first race. Since we were shorthanded, I decided to get the big red one in before the squall hit us. This way we got the masthead A-kite safely inside and continued on jib and main only, which was more then enough given the wind gusts and short handed crew.
To make things worse, the commitee was in such a rush to get out of the rain and to the party, they removed the finish line before Thairaver could pass. To make the desilusion complete, Thairaver was said to have retired from the race and therefore got no points for that race!!
On the way back to the marina we assisted the little ones in their opti's getting home safely, in which we were only partly succesful.
We were so focussed on the little ones, we forgot to pay attention to our fuel reserve.
When going between the piers of the marina I was just wondering about this and hoping we would make it to out berth, when.......prrr no more gas.
So up the jib and we sailed in, with assistance of the marina rib to get into the "box". Luckly the wind had died again and all went well.
The closing ceremony was held at the inside pool, to be ahead of the weather gods.
The party was held at the outside pool, with a gracious buffet prepared by Ocean Marina.
At this moment Thairaver and crew are contemplating if participating in TOG 2008 has any joy to bring, or if we should concentrate on other regatta's like the koh Samui regatta, were handicap ratings are used to devide classes and not the personal view of some individuals.
They had 3 boats participating in the regatta, one of which was Amanda.
They too were set back by the sudden change of class and were very disappointed after the first race.
Luckly for them they were re-scheduled to class 2 after day 1, We can only hope they return next year and are not chased away by the mistakes made this year.
This was also the venue for the closing ceremony, with the closing party held at the outside pool.
