CSC SailFest Regatta 2021 (Day 2)

The final leg of the CSC Sailing festival was initially decked out with clear skies and a gentle north-eastern breeze, taking sailors to the usual pennant four and one courses for Races 4 and 5 respectively of the CSC SailFest Regatta 2021. The combined effects of a weakening E-NE wind, conflicting weather systems and a slightly uncompromising currents prompted hoisting of course flag pennant two in the last race, challenging sailors to start on a downwind towards Squance Buoy. that turned out to be quite an interesting race, as the building weather system in the East gave sailors a decent beat up the channel from Squance to finish the day’s racing at the club line in a 6-8knot breeze.

With a no-show from Madfish II in Day 2, only 6 boats graced the start line for the beach catamaran class. Despite the reduced numbers, competition was still very exciting, as the fight for first position saw tempers flare on a few occasions. After a jarring upwind to Changi Buoy caused by the bumboat traffic in Race 5, the downwind start to Squance in Race 6 was a welcomed respite for the fleet. Emerging on top after 6 races, Nacra 5.8 fought off valiant attempts to unseat her from challengers Kaze Cat and Nacra 15 in 2nd and 3rd respectively. The unsettling effects of the upwind leg in Race 5 may have been too much for Skipper Uli of the Nacra 15, as he called it a day at the end of the Race, effectively throwing Race 6. In the Overall CSC Sailing Festival Leaderboard, Madfish II secures the Challenge Trophy on 5 points, despite her no-show for Day 2 of the SailFest Regatta. With Kaze Cat and Stray Catz tied on 12 points, the former broke the tie to take first runner-up with her superior number of 2nd place finishes this season.

The trio in the Multihull class consisting of Jaza Too, Cicak and Tri Harder formed the multihull fleet this weekend. A no-show from Tri Harder in the last race suggests a mini match racing between Jaza Too and Cicak, with the former claiming victory by a mere 25 seconds! The final win gave her a clean sheet, as Jaza Too made it 5 points from 5 races in this series. Owing to her stellar performance this season, Jaza Too also laid her hands on the trophy that celebrates CSC Sailing Festival Overall Leader in the Multihull class. Consistency certainly helped with Tri Harder‘s eventual 2nd place finish in her first ever participation in our Sailing Festival! Having only missed out on the East Johor Straits Race, and scoring three 3rd place finishes from the 2 Island Race, Commodore’s Cup and SailFest Regatta, she takes 2nd comfortably ahead of Ding Hao in 3rd.

The IRC class was down to three as Red Rum One faced a faulty jib after Day 1 of the SailFest Regatta. Represented by Waka Tere, Adona and Minx, Adona’s premature start for Race 4 meant playing a serious game of catch up against Waka Tere for the remaining races. The rather coordinated trimming of the spinnaker on the downwind by the crew onboard Waka Tere in addition to the light winds that did not play to Adona’s favour, secured her victory. Owing also to her consistency, Waka Tere nailed the CSC Sailing Festival Overall Leaderboard in the IRC class, with a near perfect score of 6 points from 5 races. Adona‘s overall 2nd place overall is nothing short of impressive, as she is also the only boat that has stolen a victory from Waka Tere this season – having won the 2021 Commodore’s Cup. Red Rum One‘s consistency and a 2nd place finish for the East Johor Straits Race rewarded Steve Manning and his crew a well deserved 3rd overall.

In the PY class, although Invictus have maintained a steady footing by claiming line honours in all the races for the SailFest Regatta, they were eventually tied with Marut for the first position on handicap. Marut’s bullet in Race 6 upon corrected time, paved her way to the top and possibly, some sweet bragging rights. Little Brio’s diligence in keeping pace with the fleet also earned her well-deserved 3rd place, with the returning Southern Light tagging steadily behind her. With 3 of the top contenders for the Sailing Festival Leaderboard absent this weekend, we expected some major changes to the standings. However, 1st and 2nd remain unchanged, with Ikaroa winning the PY Class Sailing Festival Challenge Trophy and Sangaree placing 2nd 4 points adrift. Brio’s consistent attendance for all events this season paid off, as her 3rd place finish in this Regatta propelled her into 3rd place, just 1 point ahead of Remington.

Thank you everyone who participated in SailFest Regatta 2021 and congratulations to all the winners of this Regatta as well as the overall winners of this year’s CSC Sailing Festival! With this we conclude a season with all kinds of conditions, and we are just glad that racing continues despite the ongoing pandemic.

In celebration of International Womens’ Day, we will be running the Lady Helm Race on 27th March, Saturday. We missed out last year due to the Circuit Breaker Measures – So we hope you share the same excitement in witnessing our lady bosses sizing up against each other next weekend!

SailFest Regatta 2021 Results