The Luxury Network Singapore, together with our Members and Partners, namely, Diplomatic Council, Caratell, Peroni, CornerStone Wines, Alba 1836, Base Entertainment, De Dietrich and The St Regis Singapore supported the Oneberry Ambassadors’ Cup 2018 held early November 2018.

This year’s Ambassadors’ Cup marks the 19th Anniversary of the event, proudly sponsored by Oneberry Technologies. As Changi Sailing Club’s Signature Event, the Regatta sees boats from Raffles Marina, Marina at Keppel Bay, One Degree 15 Marina and SAFYC coming from halfway across the island to take part.

With a total of 57 boats on water, it was a grand sight to behold from the Jetty, as the crew commence their preparations for the start. Atul Sinha’s Meraki and Paul Kendall’s Jong Dee got a little too excited before the horn went, having to turn back after starting a few seconds too early. The light North-Easterly breeze took all 25 yachts in the Ambassadors’ Division on a short-lived gentle sail down the coast of changi – only to be met with a strong weather system coming inland from above Tekong.

Despite trailing the leaders at the beginning, Jonathan Mahony’s Zanzibar did well to catch up, rounding North Angler in 1st place and eventually taking line honours with Chilean Ambassador Mr James Sinclair on board. Justin Lean’s Invictus flew the European Union flag, taking 2nd place in clinical fashion. Paul Kendall’s Jong Dee made a few critical decisions amidst the challenging wind conditions on the return, which allowed her to cross the line 3rd and ultimately win the prestigious 19th Ambassadors’ Cup after corrected time with Hungarian Ambassador H.E. Istvan Szerdahely on board. Defending Champions Zanzibar return home empty handed this year, missing out on 3rd place by a slim 15 seconds to Brazil and their hosts, Born in Fire – skippered by Pascal Radue. Also separated by seconds, Invictus maintained their 2nd position after handicap – just 24 seconds behind Jong Dee and 17 seconds ahead of Born in Fire…. close racing indeed!

A similar situation arose in the Non-Ambassadors’ Division, as the boats in 3rd-5th place were separated by mere seconds, with NTU Sailing’s Just A J (Norway) emerging the best of the rest – 21 seconds ahead of Mackson Chia’s Swannee (Korea). As only Bapsy (Sri Lanka) and Sky Bird (Poland) finished the race within the time limit, the former helmed by ex-Olympian Siew Shaw Her’s Bapsy fittingly triumphed over Edwin Low’s Sky Bird on handicap.

27 hulls on the start line made it an impressive start for the Trimaran Division – as Abra Ca Deborah Too established on early lead on the first stretch. Gary Curtis’s Miss Visayan sailed well to eventually claim line honours but surrendered overall victory on corrected time to Deborah Barker’s Abra Ca Deborah Too. Graham Horn’s Jaza Toocompleted the podium in 3rd.

A baffling u-turn by Quack after the start was the only blemish on late-comer Scott McCook’s race, as Quack sailed superbly single-handed to sneak ahead of Jeremy Nixon’s Bad Influence on the return leg, securing victory in the Beach Catamaran Division. Philippe Girardot’s Hobie 16 took 3rd in the 3-strong fleet. For the 3rd year in a row, Stefan Vidan’s Firefly won in the Cruising Catamaran Division, well ahead of Mark Richard’s Pawmark (Cambodia). The Cruising Catamaran Division were sorely missing regulars Ximula, Katrianne and Annette, due to various schedule conflicts / commitments. We look forward to their return next year!

As always, it did not take long for sailors and diplomats to get the party started, with Après-Sail Drinks and Snacks brimming with South American flavours to welcome sailors back from the afternoon’s race. The Evening’s festivities were graced by Guest-of-Honour Mr Albert Chua, Permanent Secretary (Environment & Water Resources). Fueled by the free-flow of Tiger Beer, sumptuous dinner buffet by Coachman Inn Restaurant and smooth tunes from the EuroAsia Band, participants danced the night away in what was yet another night of unbridled revelry.

The success of this Event would not have been possible without the strong support from Title Sponsors Oneberry Technologies, Gold Sponsors Yanmar & Chong Lee Leong Seng (CLLS), supporting sponsors Power Partners Pte Ltd, Kaefer Prostar, Cosmosteel, Casillero Del Diablo, Asia Pacific Breweries Singapore and new sponsors The Luxury Network Singapore +Diplomatic Council (The Global Think Tank).

The evening brought further great news for the event as Oneberry and Yanmar committed their support for the 20th Ambassadors’ Cup next year. Thank you all Sailors and Sponsors for being a part of what is now without doubt the biggest Sailing-Social Event in Singapore.