With tropical storm Washi sweeping the East Sea, it was a close call whether to cancel MANTA’s first annual regatta, last weekend. Blessed with (flat) protected inshore waters, a long gentle beach gradient and no beach break, 10 races ran. Winds were 18-20 knots in Mui Ne Bay close to MANTA, gusting 30 knots offshore and the rest of the bay. Race organization was comprised of blondes and Vietnamese, with Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and Bic upgrades, including Big G’s spreadsheet for handicap calculations and race results, while International maritime signal flags replaced Kite Tour Asia traffic light sequences.
Teams arrived from across Vietnam and the region (Hanoi, HCMC, Hong Kong, Mui Ne and Vung Tau), crossing a range of nationalities, including HCMC University teams (HCMC Sports University and Melia Business School) and a couple of 5 year old teams (sponsored by Bic and Ripcurl). Teams raced MANTA’s Laser Standards, Laser Radials, RS Fevas, RS Teras and MANTA-Bic Open Bics, on corrected time, circulating after each race to sail each dinghy. East and West coast US teams sharpened wits at the front of the fleet with Team Cali 2.5 points ahead of Team Cedar Point in the final count.
RESULTS
Day 1: 1. Team Cali (Geoff Bishop), 2. Team Cedar Point (Philip Myerson) 3. Team MBS (Students Thao MK and Hieu with Phung from MANTA).
Day 2: 1. Team Cali (Geoff Bishop), 2. Cedar Point (Philip Myerson) 3. Team Chaz (Chaz Parnham). 5 year olds: 1. Huey Dixon (Bic), 2. Philip Do (Ripcurl).
Race office: Di Williams, Lowri Williams, Tracy McCormick, Julia Shaw. Principal race offi cer: Gareth Williams. MANTA logistics: Nguyen Van La, Tran Quoc Phung, Nguyen The Tung, Coi Ha Veo and Security Vu.
Sponsors: Blue Dragon, Coco Beach, Family Medical Practice HCMC, Kite N Surf, Mia Resort, Mui Ne Fitness, Snap Café, Shades Apartments, Sandals Bar & Restaurant, Tropical Mini Golf and offers from Chasseur Blanc, Mui Mart with special thanks to Lawson Dixon/Bic for the race office tent and a second Open Bic.
Ministry of Interior signed Vietnam’s application for ISAF registration in March-April 2012, drawn by MANTA and (3 month old) Vietnam Canoeing, Rowing and Sailing Federation, triggering a green light for further potential training opportunities. Join us at MANTA-Bic monthly national team training/racing ahead of Royal Varuna’s Top of the Gulf and Thai Viet Challenge, in May 2012!
Anarchist Julia
