23 February 2026, Phuket, Thailand: Ray Roberts’ TP52 Team Hollywood won its second straight Bay Regatta, dominating the Performance Monohull class with three consecutive race victories, despite the final day of racing being abandoned due to a lack of wind.
The Bay Regatta is renowned for its spectacular karst topography, providing a notable backdrop for competitors across four days of racing. This year’s event occurred from February 18-22, featuring a series of passage races that lure some of the region’s most talented sailors, as it prioritises fun and exploration of the breathtaking sailing grounds.
Returning to its traditional start this year, competitors took off into Phang Nga Bay with a northeasterly beat, finishing at The Blue Bay Beach Resort on Koh Yao Yai. A total of 34 boats raced in five classes: Performance Monohulls, IRC Racing, Monohull Cruising, OMR Multihulls, and Cruising Multihulls.
The first race featured a unified start for all boats on a 25-mile course, beginning from Ao Po Grand Marina on Phuket’s east coast. Daily racing commenced at 10 a.m., with class starts orchestrated by PRO Simon James. Following the initial course, competitors navigated through picturesque island passages, culminating a vibrant social atmosphere at night after each day’s racing.
Day two involved gusty winds reaching 27 knots, challenging crews on the 25-mile stretch from Blue Bay Resort. After a strong day of racing, an evening event hosted by Port Takola Boatyard & Marina marked the launch of their new facility, engaging local stakeholders in the celebrations.
The third day saw competitors tackle a 28-mile Krabi Islands course, finishing their race with an awards presentation recognizing day-two achievements. The final race was sadly abandoned after 3 hours of no wind, leaving results based only on the first three days of competition.
As noted, the elite four-boat Performance Monohull was won by Ray Roberts’ Team Hollywood. Peter Cremers’ Shatoosh edged out Hans Rahmann’s Yasooda by one point for second spot in the class with Steve McConaghy’s Aftershock 4th. Yasooda, a Judel/Vrolijk 70 and Shatoosh, a Warwick 75, are both beautifully sleek boats and hold a friendly rivalry in many of the region’s regattas.
The top three yachts in the eight-boat IRC Racing Class all finished tied in points, with the gold going to Matti Sep’s Gern Kard after clinching the final race.
Other notable performances included James Duke’s Kimikimi in the Monohull Cruising Class, which won by a single point, while Dan Fidock’s Extreme 40 Parabellum captured the OMR Multihull class after winning line honours in each race. In the Cruising Multihull class, Lt Col Brigadier James Baxter (OBE)’s Zephyrus claimed victory, edging Michael Hähnel’s Liberty V.
The closing awards party at Kan Eang 2 restaurant was a highlight, reinforcing its reputation as “the party that sails around.” The Bay Regatta continues to exemplify sports tourism benefits, with significant contributions to local economies throughout its 29 years of uninterrupted operation, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more details about the event or to learn more, visit www.bayregatta.com or check out their Facebook page.
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