Crash mars first race of regatta

PHUKET: Three people were rescued from the water and a woman has been hospitalized with a suspected broken hip after two yachts collided half a mile offshore in the first day of racing in the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta today.

Simon James of the regatta’s race management committee, told the Gazette that Blue Juice and Pla Loma collided half a mile south of Koh Khao Noi.

“Ma Du Zi, skippered by Viroj Nualkhair, retired immediately and rendered assistance. Three people were rescued from the water and a Singaporean woman was brought back to shore at Kata, where she received immediate medical treatment,” he said.

He added that the woman, whom he declined to name until her family could be notified, was taken to Phuket International Hospital by ambulance, accompanied by Pla Loma skipper Keith Moore, who was not a casualty.

“No one else was injured,” Mr James said, though he noted that Pla Loma suffered a broken boom and substantial damage to one side in the collision, and had to be towed back to Kata.

Provisional results for the first day’s racing, which saw winds of up to 20 knots, were as follows:

Racing: Mandrake; Yo!; Hi-Fidelity. Fastest time: Mandrake.

Sports Boat: Pink Pussy Cat; Jativa; Happy Endings. Fastest time: Securicor Somtam Express.

American Express Banking Premier Cruising: Hocux Pocux 2; Vida; Stormvogel. Fastest time: Hocux Pocux 2.

Sunsail One Design: Princess Anna; Princess Arieta; Princess Sharda. Fastest time: Princess Anna.

IRC1: Ruby Tuesday; Di Hard; Octopussy. Fastest time: Ruby Tuesday.

IRC2: Royal Thai Navy 1; La Samudra; Master Blaster. Fastest time: La Samudra.

IRC3: Patrice III; Abraxas; Varo Petro. Fastest time: Patrice III.

Ocean Rover: Aquavit 3; Cordelia; Forrest. Fastest time: Aquavit 3.

Multihull: Coco Blues; Charro; Ceberus. Fastest time: Charro.

Classic: Sunshine; Greensleeves; Phuket Sail Sanook. Fastest time: Sunshine.