ASEAN Optimist Ch’ship opens at Pattaya

Peter Cummins reports

His Majesty the King’s words, addressed to some 1,000 Thai athletes assembled at Chitrlada Palace last November just prior to the opening of the Thirteenth Sea Games, are equally applicable at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, South Pattaya today. There, some 50 youngsters to the their coaches, parents, supporters and the regatta organizers are gathered on the eve of the opening of the Eleventh ASEAN Optimist Championships, to be to be raced from the 23rd to the 29th of October off South Pattaya Bay.

Thailand’s skippers sailing in the team racing. As hosts, Thailand can enter two teams of five. (L to R) Siyarat Saithong, Phonthep Sukudorn, Sasithorn It-Sawapha, Nara Yoosawat, Sam Phanpho.

The King pointed out that “All sports must be played according to the rules.” His Majesty urged the athletes to “show spirit and aim for victory and friendship.” If everybody does their best to win, in both sports and friendship, the Monarch added, “the country will benefit.”

It was, in fact, 32 years ago that His Majesty stood on the winners’ podium of the Fourth South East Asia Peninsular Games to receive a yachting Gold Medal from Her Majesty the Queen for equal first-placing (with His daughter Princess Ubolratana) in the OK dinghy section of the Games.

More Thai skippers sailing in the team racing. (L to R) Nirun Gaengwanwattanasiri, Keilati Thongtham, Tarathorn Boongorklua, Amupong Chaiasitnawin, Pharadorn Chuasangar.

A very strong Thai team will go into the week-long event, at the start of the racing on Monday, in the ‘pole position’ so to speak. With more than six months’ intensive training, a hard-fought national championship with a record 51 entries and, not the least, the ‘home waters’ advantage, this is probably the best Thai junior sailing team ever assembled.

At the final meeting held at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club this week, Al Chandler, principal organizer of the event, noted that entries have been received from Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore and, of course, a big team from host country Thailand.

The Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, the administering authority, has provided 50 almost-new Optimist dinghies for the competitors, many of whom have been out on the sea off South Pattaya, ‘feeling’ the conditions.

An Optimist Championship is not new to Thai shores. The first International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA) world championship ever held in Asia was sailed off Jomtien in November-December, 1979. Thereafter, the Third Asian Championship in 1992 and the Sixth and Seventh ASEAN Championships were held off Royal Varuna Yacht Club, South Pattaya in 1993 and 1994, respectively.

Al Chandler, echoing His Majesty’s sentiments, noted that the organizing committee of the event “encourages all ASEAN countries to participate in the competition so that our children may improve their sailing, enjoy our diverse cultures and share the camaraderie that this Championship offers.”

Japan, the only country outside the ASEAN bloc to enter, has very large and active Optimist fleets and, in recent years, our northern neighbour has become a “force majeure”, not only in Optimist circles but also in yachting as a whole, right up to the present America’s Cup challenge round in New Zealand.

Mr Chandler noted that there will be two distinct programmes of racing comprising the championship. The first, starting Monday, will be the ASEAN Challenge Cup which will be team racing from national groups of four dinghies from the ASEAN region. This is based on the world championship formula of the IODA Challenge Cup, adapted to local conditions.

The second event will be the individual competition, a six-race regatta, to include Japan, for the JSST Trophy, based on the time-worn format of the IODA Beacon Challenge Cup, also adapted to local conditions. This will comprise the major part of the event, from Tuesday until Friday when there will be a closing and awards ceremony.

Mr Chandler also said that each of the three ASEAN countries has sent one team of five sailors, born in 1984 or later. Thailand, as host country, is entitled to two teams and 15 individuals, for a total of 25 participants.

The organizing committee commended the number of individual sponsors who came forward to assist the Thai teams with boat charter, expenses and entry fees. These were the Chandlers (2), Peter Feddersen, Dr Somphob Intaraprasong, Ryoichi Ishii, Christopher J. King, Charn Soponpanich, Ralph Tye and Harold Vickery whose ongoing support for Thai junior sailing has been instrumental in staging this exciting event.

With Optimist racing at a very high level in the Kingdom, this is going to make a most exciting competition, especially in the team racing division where Thai teams A and B will be pitted against each other as well as against their fellow-ASEAN competitors.

The Optimist was designed by Clark Mills in Clearwater, Florida, in 1957 and, on being embraced by Denmark in 1954, the little dinghy soon gained acceptance throughout Europe, the United Kingdom and, since the 1960s, world-wide.

Now, the largest One-design dinghy in the world, numbering some 800,000 in almost 100 countries, the Optimist has been the training vehicle for huge numbers of youngsters world-wide (under 16-year-olds). Many of these have gone on to become Olympic, world and national champions in the “big league.”

Thailand’s own Optimist fleets are very large, with four main centres of training and activity, totalling some 400 dinghies: the Royal Varuna Yacht Club at Pattaya and the Royal Thai Navy Clubs at Sattahip in the Northern Gulf; the Phatra Marina and Yacht Club, at the mouth of the Pranburi River in Prachuab Khiri Khan Province on the West Coast and several clubs based at marinas in Phuket.

Now, with the South-westerly Monsoons starting to give way to the dry north-easterlies, the children are in for some exciting racing being caught, occasionally no doubt, in the inevitable ‘doldrums’ caused when the two major ‘powers’ in the Gulf are competing for supremacy!

Bangkok Marathon coming in November

The “12th Bangkok International Marathon”, this year on November 31, 1999, is another of the capital’s high profile events drawing visitors and tourists who are committed joggers and marathoners. This is also the 12th year of the BKKM and the working committee has made arrangements in accordance with the standards set by the Association of International Marathons and Road Races (AIMS) which has been sanctioned for several consecutive years.

Participants will find the entire race an enjoyable experience as they are warmly welcomed by Thai hosts with a show of traditional Thai hospitality throughout the entire length of the race. It’s unquestionably an exhilarating way to see more of Thailand.

The Marathon is jointly organized by the National Jogging Association of Thailand, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Times: Marathon starts at 04:30 hrs., Wheelchair Marathon starts at 05:00 hrs., Fun Run (10km) starts at 05:15 hrs.

Registration: Registration needs to be completed prior to the race day, Sunday, November 21. Registrants are advised to call at the Marathon Expo (Pre-Military School) on Rama IV Road to pick up a runner bib, a T-shirt and final race instructions on November 20 between 09:00 to 19:00 hrs. There will be no race day registration.

Race Headquarters: Pre-Military School, Rama IV Road, Phone : (66 2) 252 - 8528, Fax : (66 2) 252 - 8529.

Panthers & Panties do battle with Southerners

International School of the Regents, Saturday October 9th, 2:45 p.m., an hour before kick off and the Panthers and Panties first home fixture since May was in jeopardy of being cancelled with the field resembling a swimming pool. However, quick thinking by the forwards, not often noted for such skills, saw most of the men’s team removing bucket after bucket of water. The Southerners watched on from a safe distance as the Panthers wore themselves down removing the water.

In the meantime, the ladies branch of the club, the Panties, kicked off against the Southern Soul Sisters with two new nervous Pattaya coaches (Adrian Sparrow and David Garred) looking on. The more experienced Bangkok ladies took the game to the Panties. Playing without the influential Karen Pennock, it was the Southerners who scored with a run down the wing. It was backs against the wall throughout the first half for the Panties and it took two try saving tackles from Sharon Brown and debut player Rebecca (Sean) Fitspatrick to stop the Southerners from scoring more.

The second half got underway with some better possessions for the Pattaya team and some surging runs from player of the match Carolyn Taylor. Despite the constant pressure the Panties could not apply the finishing touch and it was the Southerners who produced the killer touch with their second try. A brave effort from the Pattaya team in only their second game, playing a highly experienced Bangkok team.

In the men’s fixture, the Panthers were under pressure right from the first whistle as the larger Southerners tried to wear down the forwards and run through the backs of Pattaya. There was some tough tackling early on, notably from Fergal O’Neal who actually went for the ball carrier as opposed to anyone wearing an opposition shirt, which he has been known for in the past. With the Southerners becoming increasingly frustrated, they were forced into a chip over the top and panic ensued in the backs giving the Southerners an easy opening try.

The game continued in much the same pattern, with Pattaya seeing little of the ball, and some tough tackling in the form of Charlie Northfield in the centers and Rob Oldfield on the wing. The Panthers best moments came from two lineouts close to the Southerners’ try line, but it was often spoiled by the tall Southern pack. The killer blows for the Panthers came from two players before half time as the Southerners powered their way forward and into a 17-0 lead.

Some tough talking at half time from the Panthers stirred the team up and straight from the kick off they put the opposition under pressure. A set move from the lineout saw Chris “The Krypton Factor” Ullyat dive over to put the Panthers back in it.

The Panthers generally upped the game in the second half with some strong runs down the right wing from GIS teacher Rob Oldfield. But the Panthers were caught out by indiscipline, and a penalty 15 metres out was duly run in to give the Southerners a good lead. The try was converted by the much experienced prop forward Jim Howard (we won’t be lending Jim out to our opposition again). It was the influential Jim who almost forced his way over for the fifth try moments later, but his athletic lunge for the line fell short and he needed the help from the other forwards to condemn Pattaya to a rare home defeat.

All four teams retired to Delaney’s where the afternoon’s performances improved as the night wore on.

Thanks go to sponsors Delaney’s and to ISR for the use of the pitch. Training is on Tuesday night at 6pm for the ladies and 7pm for the men at the Ambassador Hotel, Jomtien. All new rugby players are welcome, whatever your level of experience. Contact Kim Fletcher (038) 710641 or David Garred (038) 428239.

Irvine KO’d by Rule Book!

Ireland’s Eddie Irvine (Ferrari) went from an 8 point advantage over Finland’s Mika Hakkinen (McLaren) to a hopeless 12 point deficit, three hours after winning the inaugural Malaysian Grand Prix. A technical infringement was found by the scrutineers and both Ferrari’s were disqualified.

This was a most unfortunate ending to the Malaysian GP, where Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher, returning after his three month convalescence for his fractured leg, had shown his complete dominance all weekend. After setting pole position one second a lap quicker than anyone else, he then dictated the race pattern from start to finish. He was able to control McLaren’s white haired boy, Mika Hakkinen, with ease and pulled over to let his Ferrari team mate, Irvine through with three laps to go. At 4 p.m. that afternoon it was a double celebration for Ferrari. Irvine then led the Drivers Championship and Ferrari the Constructor’s.

Ferrari vs. McLaren

Then came the news of the shock disqualification of both Ferrari’s. The nemesis for Irvine, and the entire Ferrari challenge, was FIA Rule 3.12.1 that requires very strict adherence to the external dimensions of an F1 race car. In the case of the Ferrari’s, the barge boards (the air deflectors between the front and rear wheels) were found to have a 10 mm lateral curve at the top, instead of being straight. Ferrari’s Technical Director, Ross Brawn, has said that the “illegal” parts were run at the previous race at Nurburgring and the scrutineers said nothing then. Even Jordan’s chief aerodynamicist, Tim Edwards, has come out to say that any presumed advantage would be so miniscule that nobody would bother to do the 10 mm curve deliberately.

Ferrari have naturally appealed against their disqualification and the hearing for this will be hopefully before the final round of the Championship in Japan. If the appeal is unsuccessful, then Ferrari will have lost both the Driver’s Championship and the Constructors Championship by 10 mm!

However, in the minds of all F1 fans, the championship should show who is the best driver in the world in any year. Whether Irvine wins by driving skill (and a benevolent team mate) or Hakkinen by default in the motor sports courts of appeal, after last Sunday’s display, the true champion is undoubtedly Michael Schumacher. The last championship this millennium will unfortunately not have the name of the “best” driver beside it.

That 1st Tuesday in November

by David Smith

Australia is unique, because for more than 130 years the whole country stops for the running of a horse race. It is the Melbourne Cup.

Does the horse race stop the nation? Or does the nation stop to watch the horse race? Does it really matter? The Melbourne Cup is genuinely a cultural institution. Why? Well, why not? The reason is that the Melbourne Cup is the paramount event in long distance races for thoroughbreds Down Under. In recent years it even attracts participation from the top English and Irish trainers and their best performed steeds. So every first Tuesday in November (Nov 2nd this year), Australians stop to watch the running of “the Cup” one of the most thrilling horse races in the world.

The thrill comes from the fact that it is a handicap race with a huge prize pool. 79,000,000 Baht (yes, that is 79 million, count the zero’s!). The Victorian Racing Club “Handicapper” (Mr. Jim Bowler) assesses each runner’s form and credentials, and then proportions the weight that they will carry in the race so in theory, each runner starts with an equal chance of winning.

Cup Day itself is the culmination of 2 weeks worth of fun, fashion, food, lead-up events and excitement as part of the Melbourne Cup Festival, one of the highlights of Australia’s social calendar. From early in the morning through to race time at 11.20 a.m. Thailand time, champagne and canap้s, huge hats and racetrack fashions sometimes overshadow the “real business of the day” - horse racing. Yes this is the day that the ladies parade their finest fashions, funny hats and are photographed holding a glass of expensive French champagne. And the horse they are backing? Probably selected on the basis that their mother’s maiden name rhymes with the filly with that lovely gold number and the scarlet sash.

So what is going to be this year’s winner? Mmmm, the question at which even the bravest of experts cringe. Don’t ask me mate, I’m only the jockey. This is undoubtedly the hardest event to judge in the whole year’s racing calendar.

However, here’s a guide to the form at least. The place getters in the Caulfield Cup and the MacKinnon Stakes have always been strong contenders. Always give New Zealand horses due credit, as their record in the cup is second to none. The Internationals? Always penalize them a little because of the huge journey and “acclimatization” factors, but in all the above, remember that the weight against their ability over 3200 metres is the key. In other words, “Study the form mate, or take a tip from a jockey!” Other than that... mmm perhaps mother’s maiden name and that little gold and scarlet number isn’t such a silly method after all... Oh well, here’s wishing you good luck on Cup Day!

(David Smith is an expatriate Australian and retired international jockey now living in Pattaya.)

PSC and Hua Hin Golfing Society

Ryder Cup Matches

Over the past six decades, the Ryder Cup matches have become synonymous with keen competition and good sportsmanship. At least it used to be that way. And if times have changed on the professional level, they most definitely have not on the local amateur level.

On Monday, October 11, 1999, sixteen golfers from the Pattaya Sports Club traveled to the other side of the Gulf of Thailand to Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. The Hua Hin Golfing Society had invited the PSC for a couple of days of “keen competition and good sportsmanship”. This was the first of what is hoped to be a yearly “Ryder Cup” style competition between the two golfing societies.

There were fifteen singles matches on the first day. Instead of normal match play, the format was Stableford, with each contest decided by the most Stableford points. These matches were held at Springfield, the beautiful Jack Nicklaus designed course and the end of the day found the PSC down eight to seven. Special mention goes to Dave Richardson who led the PSC team with 38 Stableford points.

The second and final day of the competition was played on the wonderful Royal Lakeview course. The format was Fourball and the Pattaya Sports Club climbed out of a deep hole and rolled over the HHGS by winning seven of the eight better ball matches and halving the eighth.

Svend Berthelsen and Stan Fry were three down after four holes. Their hole was deep and their climb was tough but they caught the momentum train that was rolling through Hua Hin and won their match two up. Jim Bracket and Ray Ryan were in an even deeper hole. They were four down with only five holes to play and pulled off a halve that had to feel like a win. Lol Ewin and Jay Nakagawa, playing in the last group, were pitted against a local pro and his partner. To keep things fair, the pro played off scratch and shot from the championship tees. Lol and Jay kept the match close and pulled of a dramatic win by winning the final hole of the day.

The rest of the Pattaya Sports Club team was having it a little easier. Mike Phillips and Eddie Blackwell won 4 & 3. Steve Ross and Andy Wellington won 2 & 1. Steve Mascari and Ray Matti won 3 & 2. Ebrahim and Dave Richardson won 4 & 3. Jez Tracey and Mick O’Meara won 3 & 2.

This was the third Ryder Cup style competition in 1999 between the Pattaya Sports Club and other Thai based ex-pat golfing societies. In February, the PSC hosted the American Embassy Golf Association and won the trophy. In July, the PSC traveled down to Phuket to play the Phuket Ex-Pats Golf Society and again won the trophy. One of the courses played was the Blue Canyon Championship Course, but it didn’t intimidate the Pattaya Sports Club. Now, they have pulled off the hat trick and beaten the Hua Hin Golfing Society. Steve Mascari is the resident captain for these Ryder Cup matches and he has proven to be a popular and successful captain indeed.

The Pattaya Sports Club would like to thank the folks at the Hua Hin Golfing Society for their hospitality. A special thanks to Bernie and Martin for hosting such a fun and memorable match.

Pathamaporn wins another medal

Twelve-year-old Pathamaporn Kamchan just can’t be stopped. This child tennis wonder is engraving a name in the history books both for herself and Pattaya wherever she competes.

Budding tennis star Pathamaporn Kamchan.

Her latest conquest is a Bronze medal at the “Thailand Youth Tennis Development for the National Squad” event held the Tennis Centre, Muang Thong Thani.

Pathamaporn has also achieved the ranking of 3rd seed in the central region of Thailand.

Pathamaporn is sponsored by the Pattaya Sports Club in all her competitions and she has not let them down. Craig Lewis, the Chairman of the Tennis Section of the Pattaya Sports Club speaks fondly of Pat. “The Pattaya sports club is really proud of our child wonder. We are very happy for her successes and will continue to support her in her tennis career. Who knows? Some day she may be a world champion.”

PSC Golf sees out October

Copyright 1999 Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
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Updated by Boonsiri Suansuk