THE  “ONE DESIGN PLATU CHAMPIONSHIP” IN THAILAND .

 

The new year will be a very intensive one for the Platu 25 class: after the “Primo Cup - Trophée Credit Suisse” (11- 14 February) in the Principality of Monaco, indeed, the most important International appointment will be in Pattaya, Thailand, with the “Thailand Platu OPEN Championship 2010” scheduled for  the 11^th to the 14^th  of March.

 

For the Platu 25 class, the prestigious event organised by the Ocean Marina Yacht Club of Sattahip Chonburi, South Pattaya, in the Gulf of Thailand, a few Kilometres from Bangkok, is an important coming back to the Platu’s origins. As Kev Scott, Thailand Platu National Class Association coordinator, reminded: “ Thailand is the home of the Platu. Bruce Farr designed it especially for the Gulf of Thailand and the word PLATU  is the Thai name of a small fish which is a delicacy here”.

 

Thailand has been represented at 3 out of the last 4 World Championships in Spain, Germany and Italy. A Thai team, composed by the very expert Wiwat Poonpat (skipper and helmsman), Chatchai Pisanupot ( main ), Anan Downchanterk ( trimmer), Veerasit Puangnak ( halyards/tactician) and Chaksuwit Watcharapibul ( foredeck) took part in Gemany and Spain .

Kev Scott says “we are not certain for this same team, but there will be at least one Thai team in Alicante for the next Platu 25 World Championship from the 18^th to the 24^th of July 2010”.

 

Thailand is getting to be the protagonist of one of the most intensive sailing seasons in the Far East: it offers an enthusiastic calendar for many classes but especially for the Platu.

Now in its third year Kev Scott will be organising the Thailand One Design Platu Championships 2010 sailed out of the Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Pattaya. See Dates below .

 

The Platu 25 class is becoming more and more international: it was clearly visible during the World Championship in Punta Ala, Italy, with teams coming from Thailand, Japan and New Zealand. As Fernando Lago, Secretary-general of the International Platu 25 class underlined: “Our class is showing its international vocation. As we have said in advance, we’re going to move our centre of gravity toward the Far East. After the 2009 World Championship in Punta Ala and after the World Championship 2010 and 2011 in Spain and in Austria, we are ready to move to the Far East. Considering the  strong increase of the Eastern fleets, in both Thailand and New Zealand, we are looking on the possibility of a 2012 World Championship in Thailand or New Zealand ”.

 

Kev Scott is very enthusiastic and is working hard in order to make this a dream come true: “I need sponsors and more boats to make it possible but I’m working hard to achieve it. We have already been asked to organise the police World Sailing Championship on Platus to follow the Platu Wolds 2012”. We have 18 platus but I think 40 is a minimum for any world championship event .

The Ocean Marina Yacht Club has the best organization, reception and comfort.All 18 boats are in very good condition and Kev Scott confirmed: “we have between 7 and 11 charter boats at any one time depending on availability per regatta ,but I have had many more enquiries than these numbers for 2010 events.  I personally inspect all charter boats prior to events and they will be suitable for racing. They are all in good condition and all capable of winning in the right hands “.  They come without sails but sails can be rented on a daily basis . Cost of sails depends on their condition and prices vary from 3000 to 9000 baht per day (60 to 180 Euro) . New sails, main, jib and spinnaker cost from 175,000 baht (3,500 Euro ) .

 

 

 

Press Office sabrinabonaiti@libero.it

For more information:  Kev Scott Thailand Platu National Class Association co-ordinator

E-mail: kevscott@hotmail.com       Telephone: +66 (0) 878 25 00 11