4:20 AM Mon 23 Nov 2009 GMT
Fast, exciting, competitive racing is expected in the Firefly 850s with the class returning for a third year to contest the Phuket King's Cup starting next weekend.
Winner of the division in 2009, SEA Property, will be under the control of a new helm, 38-year-old Australian Tornado class sailor Damien Ford. Joining Ford will be a four-man crew of Australian and Thai sailors. 'We all have some degree of racing and cruising experience. I believe we have a good blend.'
New to the Phuket area since moving there from Darwin with his family six months ago, Ford has had limited opportunity to prepare for the defence of the 28-foot catamaran Firefly 850 Sports boat division title. 'I have raced SEA Property in one multihull regatta in July this year.'
During the 10 race series Ford will have to contend with some very stiff competition within the seven boat fleet. 'Going on recent form Voodoo is the boat to beat,' Ford said. In the recent Six Senses Phuket Race Week, Voodoo took out first place in six of the seven races to deliver a six-point overall lead over the second placegetter.
Mark Pescott, designer of the exciting one-design Firefly 850 catamaran, rates this year's seven boat fleet very highly. He agrees that Voodoo, placed second overall in 2008, may provide the toughest competition.
'Voodoo is owned by Hans Rhaman who also has a 70 foot carbon fibre monohull. But Voodoo is the toy he prefers to race in the regattas here.' While Voodoo, launched in 2005, is the oldest of the nine Phuket-based Firefly fleet, Pescott believes it will provide serious competition for SEA Property. 'Hans has only owned the boat for one year. But already last year he won the Firefly of the Year award and three of the regattas. He has a very good, well trained and coordinated crew. They all sail together on his bigger boat as well.'
Pescott ranks Moto Inzi, Twin Sharks and The Frog also as serious competition for SEA Property.
Twin Sharks was placed third overall last year and carries an experienced crew this year. 'This year I'm sailing on Twin Sharks with Brent Gribble from New Zealand. I'm not on the helm, but I am the tactician. We also have has a crew that is used to sailing on the boat.'
Roger Kingdon and his Moto Inzi crew are no doubt looking to complete their trophy cabinet with a King's Cup win. 'It is always well-sailed and competitive. The boat is always up with the fleet and it has won virtually every other regatta in the region.'
Chartered for the last two years by John Newham and his crew of English sailors, The Frog, could be the dark horse of the fleet. 'They come out and charter it for just about every regatta. They are slowly coming to terms with the boat and getting more competitive in each regatta.' This will be the team's second King's Cup.
Blue NoZe is the most recently launched of the fleet. It will be skippered by Tornado sailor, Damien Kimball. 'I am sure they will be very competitive. I don't think he has sailed with any of his crew before, but two of them are regular Firefly sailors. Having the Tornado class skills will help the team in their trimming and tactics.'
Pierre Forsans's Patagoon has not been raced very much in recent times and so will have to work hard get into the game in this division.
Overall, Pescottl says the racing will be very close, at least among the top boats.'Last year in the windy first race all the other competitors were watching. It is also fun racing against the top monohull fleet, sailing past them to windward. The performance of the boats to windward has caught them by surprise.'
SEA Property's Ford remains calm about the level of competition he is going to face. 'I think the Firefly class is a great one design boat, with good, fast and competitive racing. My crew and I are keen, competitive people therefore a competitive finish would be nice, while also having fun.'
by Tracey Johnstone
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