They could be called the "Phuket Five" a solid group of like minded multihull sailors with imagination and flare and the eagerness to race in a one design class doing away with the issues of handicaps.

All have different departure schedules from Phuket some leaving early and making stops on the way at such island as Koh Muk and Koh Rok Nok both southern Thai island around the midway point to Langkawi.

Some are going straight through the night. One thing is for sure the racing will be competitive with the designer Mark Pesscot helming Twin Sharks and formidable bunch eager to beat him.

Mark hails from Australia where they have such thing as the "Tall Poppy Syndrome". A practiced art of toppling the ones at the top of the ladder no matter what it is. He will definitely be the target amongst the group. What better pleasure could be gained other than beating the designer of the Firefly!

Tough windward leeward courses have been seleected by the group to make for as competitive racing as possible. No procession courses for these guys. Tactics, skill, agility aboard and sheer determination will bring about the three that find themselves on the podium. And a bit of luck as usual will also play its part.

This years Multihulls Challenge Cup will be awarded to the winner of the group along with daily Firefly one design trophies.

To make it closer crews are weighed and any shortfalls on weight will require that water containers be added to bring the total up to the required level. Not more putting light weight crew aboard. And no drinking the water on the way around the circuit!

"The Frog" the only Firefly built specifically for charter will have media aboard from "The Star" newspaper Malaysia. Another of the cats will carry a cameraman from "The Star" and it is hopeeful that some Penang Sailing Clubs youth team kids can be put aboard some of the cats. Hopefully the beginning of a bright future in sailing multihulls for the youth of Malaysia.

If anyone happens to be interested in chartering a Firefly send Chriss off an email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Firefly participation at the Royal Langkawi International Regatta will be publicised in Multihulls USA, Multihull World Australia, Multicoques and Multihulls France, SEA Yachting Thailand along with a number of other hard copy magazines and sailing websites.

This years Royal Langkawi International Regatta will be a event to remember for the One Design Firefly group and will be an event to be remember due to their participation for those who are lucky enough to have the opportunity to sail on one these fast and furious speed machines sometimes described as Hobies on Steroids.

Colourful they are none like the other with greens, yellows, blues in ever increasing artistic designs one trying to out do the other. Not only is the competition on the water it is in the dramatic colours of the class. I suspect they will still be racing at the bar discussing tactics before the racing begins and competing after the days racing with tales of the days event.

It will be a proud moment for Mark Pescott the designer and the Latitude Eight Boys Mark Horwood, Ben Kimbal and Damien Kimbal to see the Firefly One Design fleet down there competing. If any are interested in test sailing/purchasing one of these exciting machines you can get Mark or Ben at www.latitude8yachts.com

Keep an eye out for them they will be hard to miss.