Ocean Marina Jomtien Thailand Platu Champs 2024

by OMJ Platu Media 11 Mar 21:33 PDT 08-10 March 2024

OMF Thiland Platu Champs 2024 © KThammasak

After a couple of late withdrawals, Ocean Marina Jomtien kicked off the Platu Series for 2024 with seven competitive teams ready to race.

Day 1: Thammasak Meeusamsen, PRO for OMJ, set up a great race course at around 190°-200°, 0.8nm to the top mark, and in 6-12kts of breeze. The track was fairly flat just some small waves to catch a ride on. In short, Made for Platu, and in the place where the Platu was built for in the first place.

The PRO also put in a couple of extra top marks in case of a wind shift, which turned out to be an excellent decision. The first few races were quite shifty, with many lead changes and of course extremely close racing. A major wind shift during race 1 brought the alternate mark into play, and after that without any lengthy wait by the fleet another race was started and finished within 35 min.

There was a short five minute break between races, with one team requiring a further ten minutes for sail repairs. The last couple of races were sailed in 10-12kts from 155° - just perfect for the Platu's, although it was still a little shifty and you had to be on the right side of each as the game of snakes and ladders played out all day. A total of 5 races were completed for the day.

Day 2: Slightly overcast, with breeze filling in at 6-9kts from 190°at the start and then backing to 150°. With low grey clouds, there were plenty of shifts for on which to capitalise, and you really needed to be on the right side every time. The breeze changed quite rapidly for the remaining three races, finishing up at a variable 10-14kts.

OMF Thiland Platu Champs 2024 - photo © KThammasak

It was fantastic racing with multiple lead changes, and it was great to see such even competition throughout the fleet. Lots of ups and downs, with plenty of action happening at the top and bottom marks. Team Seven Feet only wished they were Six! After two days Easy Tiger was in the lead, but the numbers were tight. Team Seven Feet on 22, Team View Point and Mati Sepp equal on 23, Mati's training partner Harles Lilv just a few points behind on 28, and RMA/Team Whitcraft and Nathan Masopust a few points astern. (Team Whitcraft sustained some sail damage, but kept going with a sail donation from the Tigers. Big thank you, Tigers!

Day 3: With a total of 13 Races over three days, it came down to the double-points race at the end, and with just one point in it Team Easy Tiger held on for a win. There was plenty of mark action, and tight calls on the crosses.

To have five boats within 10 points of each other clearly shows that the level of competition has picked up, and it's the intention to attract more Platus to expand the Fleet. There was some great feedback on the new format from all the competitors - this is valuable info with which to continue the success of the Platu Thailand fleet. Keep it coming, please. Now we are looking forward to the coming season, so jump on the Facebook page, get the calendar sorted, send us a message, and join us for some epic racing.

1. Easy Tiger (Chris Way) 29 pts 2. Team Seven Feet 30 3. Mati Sepp 35 4. Harles Liiiv 38 5. Rolf Heemskerk 39 6. Team RMA 61 7. Nathan Masopust 74

Congratulations and a big Thank You for competing: Team Seven Feet - so close. Had a collision, a penalty, and a DNS Mati Sepp and Crew - consistent and always thereabouts Harles Liiv and Crew - unbelievable up-wind mode, and always consistent Team View Point (Rolf Heemsherk) - the planets just didn't align for this regatta Team RMA - another team not to forget. Usually in the top three Nathan Masopust - had a great local crew on board, and with some new sails due shortly they will be back mixing it up.

Extra special thanks to all those in the background that make this a little less of a headache, and a massive shout out to Harbourmaster Scott Finsten who has provided an exceptional venue in which to host the Class Championships throughout the year. Thank you, Ocean Marina Jomtien.

Get the dates: www.oceanmarinajomtien.com/sailing/one-design-platu-championship