Event at Jibe

Vietnam’s first national sailing regatta this century, held in Mui Ne over the Liberation Day-Labour Day holiday, epitomised all that is refreshing and beneficial about sailing and heralds a new watersport for Vietnam: a recreation with an important part to play in conservation of our ocean resources[1].

A relaxed series of fun races, on T450s[2], built in Ho Chi Minh City by Kiwi designer and boat builder, Steve Thompson, carried teams from seven different countries across Mui Ne Bay (Vietnam’s windsurfing and kitesurfing hotspot), without a casualty. Enthusiasm and enjoyment were evident throughout, and weight and experience balanced where possible. Players ranged from local girls, who had never swum or set foot in a boat before, to Olympic sailors, all adding to the quality of anecdotes: A call at the windward mark ‘Hoist the spinnaker!’ bounced back with ‘What’s a spinnaker?’ and a blank face or two!

The overall winner was Tran Hai, beautifully skilled and modestly enthusiastic throughout: ‘In fact we are all winners: because this is the first regatta in Vietnam, and now we will have one more game to enjoy. Not a new game to the world, new for Vietnam which I hope in the future more people in Vietnam will enjoy. With thanks to all the people who organized the regatta.’

The organisation was hassle-free at the highest local and international standard. Race officer, Janot Prat, had sailed long-term with the legendary Sir Peter Blake (and thankfully was upriver from Seamaster during the fateful Amazon expedition on 6 December 2001, when pirates took the life of the world’s fastest, furthest distance sailor and UN environmental ambassador). Against the odds, Janot has kept Blake’s eco-odyssey[3] foundation alive …and started Vietnam’s dinghy racing with effective gate starts. Light winds built steadily throughout the day(s) to 20 knots, ranging from southwest to northeast, with a southwest monsoon drift.

Sundowners and the event’s barbeque were hosted at long tables out of Jibes[4], by Pascal Lefebvre, who kickstarted watersports in Vietnam from 2000. Although the Liberty Cup fun regatta was a small event this year, it was competitive, and is expected to expand year by year over the same public holiday, with more boats, sponsors, and competitors. Meanwhile, the next regatta is organized by the Saigon Yacht Club[5] during the August bank holiday (30 August to 2 September 2008). See you there

The 9^th Vietnam Fun Cup – a Windsurf Race in Tropical Paradise dedicated to Children in Need. The Competition took place at the famous Jibe’s Beach Club in Mui Ne Bay Vietnam, one of the best windsurf spots in South East Asia. 38 competitors from 18 countries entered the competition and supported charity idea of the weekend. All the profits during the two days were donated to an orphanage and a school for blind and disabled children in Binh Thuan Province. Thanks to the additional donations the organizers were able to collect almost 3000 dollars for the charity. What a success!

Friday morning the event was officially opened with a Ceremony attended by the organizers, the referees from the Sport- and Tourist Department and the Media.

19 were run during the week end, 8per races at the time with a running start from the beach. The wind on the first day was very light and the first group started with winds between 2 and 6 knots. Not easy to pass the shore-break on big equipment, without wind and big sets of waves. At least the crowd of visitors had a big laugh at the beach. Second and final day races were in 12 to 20 knots.

In the women group, Kerstin Reiger from Austria won both runs and took the first position. In men’s division, Mui Ne Local Thanh Dong Nguyen did an excellent race with a lot of support from friends and relatives on the beach. Both winners got a fabulous designer watch from NÖA. There were interesting prizes for all the competitors including a Starboard Evo XTV, 4 Nokia Mobile Phones, 2 Severne Sails, 5 Aerom boonms and accessories, Quick Silver and Roxy Clothing as well as NOA Lycra and Vouchers from Hotels and SPA’s.

Besides being a first-rate windsurfing event, the Vietnam Fun Cup is renowned for having an extensive and exhilarating entertainment and social program for its competitors and friends. Participating in the Vietnam Fun Cup also means meeting friends and partying at Jibes Beach Club after the award giving ceremony including a delicious dinner and Traditional Vietnamese Dance and a wild beach party thanks too Tiger beer, Bacardi and the "Warehouse" for wine.

The 10^th edition of the Vietnam Fun Cup will be on the 21st and 22nd February 2009.

Women Result:

No.	Full name	Country
1	Kerstin REIGER	Austria
2	Deborah KHOO	Singapore
3	Hsin El CHUA	Singapore
4	Naomi TAN	Singapore
5	Denise GEHRIG	Switzerland
6	Fiona CHEONG	Singapore
7	Corine SENECHAL	France
8	Elizabeth NG	Singapore

Men Results:

No.	Full name	Country
1	NGUYEN THANH DONG	Vietnam
2	Joshua CHOO	Singapore
3	NGUYEN NGOC BONG	Vietnam
4	Csiga BALAZS SOMOGYRAMI	Hungary
5	Chris PRESSLER	Austria
6	NGUYEN QUOC HOA	Vietnam
7	TC CHUA	Singapore
8	TRUONG MAI CUONG	Vietnam
9	TRUONG KY TAI	Vietnam
10	Philippe GAILLE	Switzerland