CSC Commodore's Cup 2021 (Day 1) | Changi Sailing Club

Traditionally held on the first week of March, the Commodore’s Cup is Changi Sailing Club’s most prestigious and competitive regatta, gathering the Club’s best Keelboat, Multihull and Beach Catamaran Sailors for 2 days of intense racing in the prevailing North-East Monsoon. After last weekend’s poor wind conditions at the CSC Laser & 29er Open, the steady 8-10 knot NE breeze that greeted sailors on Saturday morning came as a pleasant surprise to some who had assumed the monsoon was slowly waning.

The IRC class has recently increased in numbers – with Minx and Adona joining the fray. With Jong Dee still down and out for maintenance, the fleet totaled 5 in participation, as defending champions Waka Tere face stiff competition in the form of Born in Fire and Red Rum One together with the 2 new entrants. After 3 races, the smallest boat in the fleet made the biggest gains. Little J24 Adona sailed superbly to her handicap, holding her own amongst bigger and faster rivals. She secured 3 bullets from 3 races, putting her in the driving seat going into Day 2. Having won all of the events thus far in the 2021 CSC Sailing Festival, Waka Tere has her work cut out for her should she wish to continue her win streak for this season. Currently 3 points behind Adona, the Nelson 10 will be bringing her A-game for the remaining 3 races. Lets also not write off the rest of the fleet, as Red Rum One, Born in Fire and Minx all have experienced sailors skippering/crewing onboard.

Having 12 boats on the start line made it extra tricky for the sailors in the PY Class, having to time their starts and position themselves on the favoured end while avoiding the rest of the fleet. As Day 1 unraveled, we see exciting pre and post start maneuvers, one of which being a port starboard encounter between David (Marut) and Goliath (Remington). Marut‘s early starboard warning was only responded to by Remington in the final seconds, having to tack to avoid collision. Both boats were sailing only with 2-up, an immense challenge considering the strengthening winds over the course of the day. Simba emerged top of the fleet after 3 races, amassing 6 points to lead 2nd placed Ikaroa by 4 points. Ikaroa is only a slim 1 point ahead of Sapphire Star, who in turn leads the chasing pack of Shardana, Balqis, Sangaree, Millenium II and Olmeto who each have a bad race and are all looking forward to the activation of a discard from race 5 onwards to reshuffle the positions.

It seemed like a battle of attrition in the Multihull Class, as the fleet was reduced to one boat by the start of Race 3. Jaza Too was the lone survivor, as her 3 rivals faced various issues at different times during the day resulting in their respective retirements. With only Kaze unable to race due to a dismasting, we hope to see the rest of the fleet back in action for the remaining races.

After 3 races we see 2 main contenders at the top of the beach catamaran fleet. Defending champions Madfish II face stiff competition from stalwart Scott McCook on his Nacra 5.8. Despite holding a 4 point lead at the end of Day 1, Madfish II will be in trouble if she does not elevate her game in Day 2 – as the Nacra 5.8 has 2 bullets from races 2 and 3, coupled with a discard in hand.

Lets hope for another day of great weather going into Day 2 of the Regatta! We look forward to having CSC Commodore Deborah Barker commencing the start of the first race of the day – good luck and fair winds to all competitors.

Results