Light and shifty winds once again prevailed for day three of the inaugural Phuket Race Week.

After a delayed start this morning the competitors in Racing class battled for the lead with Image Asia Attitude ahead until after the first mark. Competition became more intense as the fleet headed downwind under spinnaker towards the next mark. The Mumm 30 Panic! finished first while the Phuket 8s, Securicor Som Tam Express and Skiff Asia Pla Loma finished second and third respectively. Similar conditions prevailed in IRC and Club with a close field and keen competition. In IRC skipper Mick Kealy’s Minx finished first while Ruby Tuesday placed second with Octopussy third. In Club, Blue Moon, skippered by Al Boone placed first with Cinders and Four Winds finishing second and third.

Three boats competed in Multihulls with Kilo back after having to retire due to problems with its headsail. Under Chris Sieber, Kilo raced to first place. The two catamarans, Ceberus and Chimera, which are built in Phuket by Latitude Yachting, finished second and third respectively.

Light wind conditions in this usually breezy month of July have offered something of a challenge to both racers and Race Committee members. In yesterday’s race, Principal Race Officer John McLelland and his team were able to shorten the course just 30 seconds before the first boat crossed the line.

Racing will take place on lay day tomorrow for all four classes to make up for today’s missed second windward/leeward race. Club and Multihulls will have an additional race to account for the DNFs from Monday’s race.