SailFest Regatta | Changi Sailing Club

CSC Commodore’s Cup 2023 (Day 2)

6th March 2023/in Competitive Racing, Commodore's Cup, Regattas, SailFest Regatta, Sailing/by CSC

What a most exciting Commodore’s Cup weekend! After the incessant rain on Saturday, Day 2 of racing in the rain felt almost normal. The breeze however did not kick in as early as we’d like, with an abandonment shortly after the start due to the light winds and strong current. When the north-easterly breeze finally settled into position, a pennant 4 course was set for the Keelboats, sending them to Tekong Buoy and back. Sailors new to the area were treated to the infamous tekong tango, as strong currents and light winds from the same direction meant that a significant amount of time was spent tacking in the vicinity of Tekong Buoy. Multihulls and Beach Catamarans were spared the journey, sailing on a shorter course to NP1 instead. After a long and arduous day of varying weather conditions, the race committee managed to secure 2 races each for the IRC, PY and J24 One-Design Classes and 3 races each for the Multihull and Beach Catamaran Classes.

Plenty of thrills and spills across the classes – from ripped spinnakers to mounting CSC 1 at the start line, there was never a dull moment on the course. Post-race, there was much chatter amongst the fleet, with organisers collating down-downs for the evening presentation. The skies cleared on schedule for the prize-giving ceremony held at Tekong Cove. In addition to the Commodore’s Cup, the overall CSC Sailing Festival Leaderboard Results were also to be announced on the same evening, consolidating over 2 months of CSC sailing events in the prevailing NE Monsoon. The Club is thrilled to have Georges as supporting sponsors for this event, providing light bites and finger food on the same evening.

In the IRC Class, Waka Tere kept their composure to complete a clean sweep of the series with 2 more victories in races 4 and 5. The team battled hard to maintain a sufficient lead over an unrelenting Adona, and prevailed. The J29 while out-sailed by Waka Tere, did a commendable job for the weekend despite the challenges, finishing the series as first runner-up with a total of 8 points. Completing the podium would be the exciting X342, Minx. She sailed well to score a best placing of 2nd in race 1, and a total of 11 points overall to place ahead of revered rivals Silhouette and Simba. For the Overall CSC Sailing Festival Results, Waka Tere edged out Adona on tie-breaker! With boat teams scoring equal number of firsts and seconds across all events after discard, this weekend’s victory tipped the scales in the Nelson 10’s favour, awarding Kurt and Gill’s team with the Sailing Festival Challenge Trophy. Despite placing 4th for the Commodore’s Cup, Silhouette’s 100% attendance and consistency across all events have awarded the Beneteau First 40.7 with a well-deserved 3rd.

The newly introduced J24 One-Design Class for this year’s Commodore’s Cup did not disappoint, as we witnessed a late surge and strong performance from Team Balqis in Race 4 and 5 on Sunday, scoring 2 bullets to close the gap with leaders, Jellico. It was however too little, too late, as Jellico’s two 2nd place finishes were sufficient to secure victory with 5 points for the series. A valiant effort from RSYC Tiga, as their consistent 3rd place finishes for the remaining races secured her the final spot on the podium – congratulations!

With 10 boats registered, the Keelboat PY Class was by far the biggest fleet on the course. Leaders at the end of Day 1, Birregurra finally scored the bullet which had previously eluded them, on the short course in Race 5. For the long course to Tekong Buoy, the mighty Brio emerged victorious, making it 5 different winners for all 5 races completed! When the numbers were crunched, Birregurra was the most deserving winner of the Commodore’s Cup Challenge Trophy, having placed on the podium for all races to claim victory with a total of 8 points. Olmeto broke a tie between her and Invictus to claim 2nd place overall on 12 points. Invictus’s performance was also noteworthy – considering the team have had no training this year in the lead up to the event. In the overall CSC Sailing Festival Leaderboard, 2 boats were in contention for top spot – Southern Light and Brio! The former had a slight advantage with her victory at the East Johor Straits Race – placing her just 1 point ahead of Brio to claim the challenge trophy for the PY Class. Strong performances at the Signature Sundays as well as this weekend’s Commodore’s Cup secured Olmeto’s spot on the podium with 19 points.

Apart from hitting CSC 1, torn sails and minor injuries, it was mostly smooth sailing in the Multihull Class. 4 became 3 on Day 2, as AbraCaDeborah retired from the remaining races scheduled. Miss Visayan found a chink in Dinghao’s armour during Race 5, preventing the latter from obtaining a clean sheet for this year’s commodore’s cup. Miss Visayan’s hard work awarded the team with a 3rd overall after a gruelling 6 races. In 2nd place, Jaza Too made do with a patchwork of crew to maintain her position – finishing the series on 10 points. Skipper Graham Horn was however all smiles during the evening presentation, as his full attendance for this Sailing Festival season bore fruit, the Corsair Dash 750 was awarded top multihull for the 2023 Sailing Festival, completing the season with 9 points overall. Miss Visayan was a close second, having completed all races, she claims the first runner up position with 11 points. Dinghao’s victories in the Two-Island, Trimaran Championship and Commodore’s Cup assured her a place on the podium in 3rd.

The fastest boats in the fleet also see a no-show from 1 team, as Madfish II forgoes the remaining 3 races for the event. After a shaky start, the Beach Catamarans lapped up a pennant 0 course, sending sailors on a 2-loop NP1 and CAAS2 upwind-downwind for Race 5. Impressively, it took the fleet less than an hour to complete the course. Despite the exhaustion, Addiction gamely took on the 6th and final race – a short course to changi buoy and back to CSC 1 for 3-loops. Having started after the other fleets have finished, the viper f16 switched into gear and completed the race in a phenomenal 25 minutes, just in time for the evening’s proceedings! Addiction’s endurance and skills prevailed, scoring 4 bullets from 6 races to claim the Commodore’s Cup Challenge Trophy for 2023. Kaze Cat was her biggest challenger, scoring the remaining 2 bullets, to earn her first runner-up on 8 points. Madfish II completed the podium in 3rd. For the overall CSC Sailing Festival results, persistence, endurance and consistency were underscored in Twisted Creature’s Sailing Festival campaign and overall 3rd place finish for the season. Scoring a best result of 2nd in the Signature Sundays, the team overcame multiple capsizes, breakages and injuries over the past 2 months to emerge with 13 points from 3 events. Bravo Zulu, Matt and Kellie! In 2nd place, Madfish II completed the season with 7 points, having participated in all events available. Last but not least, the overall CSC Sailing Festival Beach Catamaran Champion is Addiction! Despite missing out on the East Johor Straits Race, the amazing duo of Jeremy and Daniel conquered the Signature Sundays, Catamaran Championships as well as the Commodore’s Cup to finish this season with an outstanding 3 points.

With that, we conclude the 2023 CSC Sailing Festival and Commodore’s Cup – we hope all of you enjoyed the racing and camaraderie over the many weeks of sailing. Big thank you to our sponsors Georges for serving a delicious buffet for the hungry sailors, and to all participants for joining us over the weekend!

Results

Commodore’s Cup Results 2023 – Day 2

CSC Sailing Festival Overall Standings

2023 Sailing Festival Leaderboard_Final

CSC Commodore’s Cup 2022 (Day 1)

5th March 2022/in Commodore's Cup, Competitive Racing, Regattas, SailFest Regatta, Sailing/by CSC

After a very wet and rather disappointing February, sailors approached the weekend with cautious optimism, as we look to end the CSC Sailing Festival with pleasant wind conditions. A total of 26 boats consisting of 16 Keelboats, 5 Multihulls and 5 Beach Catamarans registered for the 2022 CSC Commodore’s Cup – a modest number which may have been affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Unfortunately, the disappointment continued for official and sailors, as everyone struggled to make the best out of the fickle winds and strong outgoing tide. With light winds and forecasted thundery showers for the afternoon, the wind could not settle into a consistent direction, and hardly strengthened to anything above 8 knots. This resulted in only 2 races being run for IRC/Multihulls/Beach Cats and 1 race completed for the PY Keelboats.

In the IRC Class, Minx continued their fine form after their success at the East Johor Straits Race – scoring a win in Race 1 and a 2nd in Race 2 to top the fleet of 3 on 3 points, 1 point ahead of close rivals, Waka Tere. The Nelson 10 will be playing catch up in Day 2, as she attempts to make it 2 wins from 4 events in this year’s Sailing Festival, cementing her position at the top of the standings and retaining the Sailing Festival Challenge Trophy for the IRC Class. In 3^rd place, Jellico is also a strong contender – having won the Commodore’s Cup last year under the name of Adona. She scored a bullet in Race 2, and is still very much in contention moving into Day 2.

The biggest fleet in this regatta could only muster 1 race, as light winds and strong currents bested many of the boats in the PY Class. After 1 race to Squance and back, Remington leads on corrected time, followed by Todak 2 in 2^nd and Marut in 3^rd. There is plenty to play for in Day 2 – sailors will be looking to recharge and pray for stronger winds on Sunday.

Consisting of 3 Corsair 28s and 2 Corsair Dash 750s, some of the Multihull Fleet experienced a few teething issues during the races – resulting in retirements from different boats across both races. When the numbers were crunched, Jaza Too leads the fleet as the only boat which completed both races – scoring 3 points going into Day 2. The rest of the fleet would be hoping for at least 3 races tomorrow to be able to discard their worst race in the series.

In the Beach Catamaran class, what was meant to be a fleet of 5 was reduced to 4, as Addiction which registered for the event did not show up on the start line. This development actually provided an opportunity for the newer sailors to shine, as we now witness a close battle for 3^rd place between Balqis II and Babe. Kaze Cat tops the fleet comfortably in 1^st, with Bad Influence completing the podium in 2^nd place.

We continue to hope for more winds (perhaps one last puff from the North-East?) in Day 2 of the CSC Commodore’s Cup – which would provide the perfect stage for a grand finale to this year’s CSC Sailing Festival.

Results

CSC SailFest Regatta 2021 (Day 2)

22nd March 2021/in Competitive Racing, Regattas, SailFest Regatta, Sailing/by CSC

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