SAMUI: It was business as usual on the final day of the 2018 Samui Regatta as the 400-plus sailors from more than 20 countries completed two final races to wrap-up their week-long series yesterday.
Thailand's THA72 led the IRC Zero class from start to finish.
Their worst result, a fourth place on the third day, did little to hamper their progress as they won eight of nine races to retain the title.
While Chinese team Ark 323 finished their series with a second and a fourth on the final day, it was not enough to get on the podium and they had to settle for fifth overall.
Despite a fourth and a fifth on the final day, WindSikher of Singapore held on to claim second overall ahead of Alive, who travelled all the way from Australia to compete in Samui for the first time.
In the IRC One, it was a fairytale finish.
Although they had a slow start to the tournament, Mandrake III from Hong Kong rallied and finished with a second and a third on the final day as they claimed the title.
With the win, they were also crowned the 2017/18 Asian Yachting Grand Prix Yacht title and Skipper of the Year award, after more than 15 years of trying to win the coveted regional championship.
Sail damage on the final day didn't upset the overall standings in the Performance Cruising.
A second and a first for Souay 1 of Canada saw them secure the overall win while in the Multihull class Sudu Red of were crowned 2018 champions.
The annual tournament was launched in 2002.
