Bangkok--1 Dec--Vivaldi
Lives up to reputation as Asia’s best regatta
The Phuket King’s Cup Regatta has set the bar high, as a record breaking 111 boats took to the Andaman Sea off of Phuket today.
The anticipated high winds did not materialize as expected, but action on the water was fierce. Leading the way was the best racing class fleet ever assembled in Asia. Today’s race series is presented by the Royal Thai Navy, the Telephone Organization of Thailand and Coca Cola.
After three races today in the racing class, Neil Pryde’s HiFi came out top, followed closely by Frank Pong’s Jelik II in second. Jelik II crossed the finish line first in two of three races by an impressive margin, but with corrected time HiFi pulled ahead in the overall race results. Nick Burns brought EFG Bank Mandrake to a solid third. Neil Pryde said, “we expected Evolution Racing to be our closest competitor for today, but, Jelik II looks like the boat to beat.”
Matt Allen’s Ichi Ban set a pace for the rest to follow with three first place finishes in the IRC 1 class. Katsu and L’autre Femme placed second and third respectively. In IRC 2 Team Bentlely lead the way with a first place finish. Puma was second and Royal Thai Navy 1 finished in third. Both classes are expected to be closely contested this year.
In the Multihull Racing Class Henry Kaye’s Thor dominated three fast races from start to finish. In second, Thailand’s Radab Kanjanavanit skippering Seamico Cedar Swan held his own to finish in second place. Third place was taken by The Sting.
One of the top events in the yachting world, the Phuket King's Cup Regatta is now in its 23rd year and once more is set to make its mark both as a magnificent maritime event and an annual attraction for up to 2,000 high spending visitors.
Asia's biggest and most popular regatta, the event was inaugurated in 1987 to celebrate the 60th birthday of His Majesty the King of Thailand and has been held every year since, during the first week of December.
Under Royal Patronage, the Regatta is organised by the Phuket King's Cup Regatta Organizing Committee under the auspices of the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, in conjunction with the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, the Royal Thai Navy and the Province of Phuket.
The Third Naval Area Command, Royal Thai Fleet, which is based in Phuket has fully supported and facilitated the event with logistics as well as equipment, officers, boats, a helicopter and SEAL unit for security and rescue.
Host sponsor Kata Group, is once more opening its doors and providing its renowned Thai hospitality to the legions of sailors, supporters, organisers and volunteers. As the premier host for more than a decade, Kata Beach Resort will be buzzing with activity, sailing and social events. In recent years, Kata Group has been voted the 'Best Family Hotel' by Thomascook.com, for its Phuket Orchid Resort.
Chang Beer continues to raise cheers as it adds an exciting festive party “Chang Regatta Moonlight Night” to its continued sponsorship of the Regatta. The celebrity laden party will feature Thailand’s best DJs and artists on beautiful Karon Beach. Estimates are that up to 20,000 people will join the event which is open to the general public. The Regatta-inspired party will take place on the evening of December 2nd.
Competitors in this truly international yachting event come from Australia, UK, China, Russia, Hong Kong, U.A.E, Singapore and beyond.
Sponsors of the 2009 Regatta include Kata Group Resorts Thailand, Chang Beer, Mont Clair, Mom Tri's Boathouse and The Moorings. Media Partners include Asia Pacific Boating, Blue Wave 90.5FM, Ensign Media, Multihull World, The Nation, Phuket Gazette, Prestige Thailand, Sail-World.com, Superyacht Asia magazine and Yacht Style.