The final presentation party was held at the Yacht Club and again attended by former Malaysian Prime Minister, Y.A. Bhg Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, a patron of both the regatta and the yacht Club. His presence the last two years has emphasized the importance of the event to Malaysia, and in particular his favourite island Langkawi. After speeches were made along with just the right degree of pomp and ceremony, final prizes we distributed - and it was off to yet another elegantly displayed buffer with no effort spared. Later dancing tunes were pumped out by The Aseana Percussionist Unit a very impressive 14 piece band Malaysian band. Many took to the dance floor to tunes varying from Blues to Reggae, while the night sky was lit up by an impressive fireworks display.

A mingling of locals and yachties chatted away, discussing tactics with a view to returning next year to an even bigger event and a large event. Surprising, and unlike the previous two regatta, few partygoers ended up in the pool this year.

A number of multihulls were affected by the Tsunami this year. Kilo suffered major crossbeam damaged that was repaired in Phuket. She was slammed by a run away Thai fishing boat riding the four-metre Tsunami wave in Chalong Bay and nearly driven ashore. It just goes to show how strong an alloy cat is. Charro was dipped down as the wave hit her in the stern and managed to scoop up the mooring rope and chain with her prodder, snapping off the prodder. No Fixed Address just doesn’t seem to be able to keep

out of the way. If she is not being rammed by 55 foot steel monos (refer to last years Langkawi article) she is being bounced on the bottom by three Tsunami waves whilst anchored off Brent’s favourite Langkawi bar, the Reggae Bar at Pantai Cenang.

We rang him from Phuket to see how he was going down there as we had already been hit. As we spoke, Brent had to hang up as the wave was now coming straight for him. So NFA limped back to Phuket and was repaired by Brent and friends on the beach next to the Ao Chalong Yacht Club.

Another casualty for a different reason was Back Chat, a Crowther 48 cat. The owners Jock and Ruth Main had committed themselves to help rebuild a Thai village that was decimated by the Tsunami at Bang Tao Beach to the north of Phuket Island. If you see those guys around buy them a beer - they deserve it. If anyone is interested in helping in any way get in contact with www.handsonthailand.org  

You could also add Mark Pescott to the Tsunami victims list as he had to stay back and work on Tim Milner’s new Whitehaven 10.95. The new cat is named in Thai “Seekong Haak” – in English - “Broken Ribs” after an experience from Tim’s checkered past. Broken Ribs had a premature launch as it floated around in Latitude Eight’s shed along with a Schionnings Prowler 42. Both boats floated around without colliding as the Tsunami wave entered and exited the shed. A forty foot shipping container was washed about ten metres on to a near by road, giving and indication of the forces involved and luck of the two cats not to sustain any damage.