Skipper and boat builder Niels Degenkolw (Denmark) did not win his racing class, IRC Racing II, in this year’s Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek, but finished a good third. He did however win a painting with a sailing motif in an auction, as another excellent sailing week came to and end, having moved to Cape Panwa on Phuket’s east cost this year.
This new venue offered a coconut palm-fringed garden by the beach as venue for the daily prize award ceremonies and parties. The Presenting Sponsor Mount Gay Rum (a sponsor of regattas the world over) made sure the race week’s opening party was really entertaining by taking the guests on journey with dancers showcasing traditional dances from the West Indies and the Pacific Ocean islands.
Having won the second Race 2 on the third day of racing, the Phuket resident Niels and his crew on board Phoenix ended third overall after the last day which saw 10-12 knots of breeze gusting to 15, and some spectacular competition.
The boats Skandia Endeavour of Whitby and Phoenix had started the day tied on points with all to play for. But after some surprise results, and perhaps with some less experienced team members in Niels’ crew playing part in the tougher conditions with stronger winds, Phoenix came third overall. Before the competition started Niels had told ScandAsia he hoped for moderate winds.
34 entries and over 500 participants from around the world took part in the 2012 Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek. Niels is a regular attendant at the region’s many annual regattas.
Also read:
Skipper Niels shares sailing insights from Phuket
Danes racing the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta
