CSC Commodore's Cup 2020 Day 1 | Changi Sailing Club

The Changi Sailing Club Commodore’s Cup is arguably the most competitive regatta on the North-Eastern Rim of Singapore. Boasting 26 boats over 4 classes, the 2020 edition sports a healthy number of Keelboats, Multihulls and Beach Catamarans on the start line.

2018 & 2019 IRC Keelboat Champions Waka Tere return to defend their title, against close rivals Born in Fire & Red Rum One. In the PY Class, 2019 winners Balqis faces stiff challenge from new kids on the block, Adona and old hands New Blue Eyes as they attempt to retain their title. A long hiatus from defending champs Cicak could prove their undoing in the Multihull Class, as they face strong competition from recently crowned Trimaran Champions Ding Hao and close rivals Witblits. Rounding off the categories would be the small but hotly contested Beach Catamaran Class, with Madfish II, Bad Influence and Stray Catz once again squaring off on the race course.

After 3 races in unpredictable conditions, Waka Tere holds a firm grip on top, scoring 3 bullets out of 3 races to lead the IRC Class going into Day 2. A blunder by Red Rum One in the first race cost them a good start, settling for three 3rd place finishes to finish the first day at the bottom of the podium. a consistent showing marred by a grounding after Race 2 was all the reason to cheer for on Born in Fire – three second place finishes after corrected time place them as the best of the rest after Waka Tere going into Day 2. Red Rum One‘s line honours in Race 3 did little to salvage the damage, as they struggle to stretch the distance on the fleet in every race.

The PY Class was a closely contested fleet, with 1 point separating the top two and 3 points dividing second and third after 3 races. A consistent performance by New Blue Eyes earned them a well-deserved first going into day 2, holding off a hungry Adona who scored a bullet in the third race of today to keep things nice and tight. Balqis lays three points adrift, but should not be underestimated as the 2019 defending champions. They displayed good strategy and tactics on the short & unpredictable course of Race 2, scoring a much needed bullet to hold their own in the top 3. Despite a win in Race 1, Shardana struggles to find their momentum in the subsequent races, tying on points with Minx for 4th going in the second and final day of racing.

Recently crowned 2020 Trimaran Champions Ding Hao grappled with a stifling handicap in the Commodore’s Cup, having won several races to start this regatta on a very challenging number, giving opportunity to the rest of the fleet to score a win in the Commodore’s Cup. 2 bullets from Witblits put them in good stead going into Day 2, no thanks to a strong handicap rating after a not-so-ideal performance at the Trimaran Championships. Ding Hao should not be written off, as their second place finish is just seconds away from Witblits, putting them in good stead to come back stronger and hungrier for Day 2. 2019 winners Cicak had a slow day, with their best performance being a runner-up finish for the 3rd race, putting them second overall with 10 points after 3 races.

In the Beach Catamaran Class, Madfish II leads Bad Influence by just an inch, with the former scoring 2 bullets out of 3 races and the latter scoring the reverse. A capsize in Race 3 and boat problems in Race 1 meant that Stray Catz is left out of contention for the top prize, making up the numbers for the Beach Catamaran Class.

Amidst the waning North East Winds, dramatic collisions/encounters and ridiculous wind shifts from the passing squalls – we are glad sailors enjoyed racing thus far, and look forward to more excitement in Day 2 of the 2020 CSC Commodore’s Cup!

Results