Bangkok--6 Sep--Kingscup
Team Phuket King's Cup compete against top international teams in identical Beneteau First 40.7's.
Image 1: One Design Class racing - identical Beneteau First 40.7's - at the China Cup International Regatta (CCIR). Team Phuket King's Cup have entered the 2010 CCIR.
Image 2: Establishing ties at the 2009 Phuket King's Cup Regatta. Simon James, Race Director of Phuket King's Cup Regatta (left), David Zhong, CEO of China Cup International Regatta Management Co. Ltd (centre). Photo by Guy Nowell/ Phuket King's Cup Regatta.
The Phuket King's Cup Regatta confirmed entry of a team in the 2010 China Cup International Regatta (CCIR), developing further ties with the regional sailing community and the CCIR organisers. The CCIR will take place 29 October to 1 November 2010 in Daya Bay, Shenzhen, P.R. China.
Team Phuket King's Cup is made up of former national representatives and sailors with experience in the SEA Games.
Skippered by Regatta President and Commodore of the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, Kevin Whitcraft, who is also a former national representative (470 class), the crew includes Biranubongse Bhanubandh, another former national representative in the 470 class, Koravic Bhanubandh Na Ayudhaya (Secretary, Phuket King's Cup Regatta), Nicky Whitcraft, Tom Whitcraft, Malee Whitcraft (Junior Sailing Secretary, Royal Varuna Yacht Club), Viroj Nualkhair (former Thai Platu entry in the SEA Games), Kawin Nualkhair and Dave Littlejohn (Rear Commodore, Royal Varuna Yacht Club).
A first for the Phuket King's Cup Regatta, the team will be up against top teams from around the world including teams from the Japan Sailing Federation, the Philippine Sailing Association, Team Chicago and Team Manhattan skippered by Marcus Cholerton-Brown, both from USA, Team Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, and many more. A total of 31 teams are confirmed in the One Design Class and will be racing identical Beneteau First 40.7's.
"We're looking forward to meeting fellow international teams and some highly competitive One Design racing," said Kevin Whitcraft, President of the 2010 Phuket King's Cup Regatta Organising Committee.
The crew sail regularly together at Regatta's in Thailand and have had successes at the Phuket King's Cup Regatta previously on Octopussy (Farr MX41). Recently, they have been training on the GP42, AA, and took ninth place in AA's first outing at the 2009 Phuket King's Cup Regatta against what was arguably the most competitive racing class to line-up at any regatta in Asia, including a number of America's Cup sailors. In their second competitive outing, AA took fifth in the IRC 1 class at the 2010 Top of the Gulf Regatta.
"Entering the China Cup International Regatta allows to renew friendships and make new friends. Many sailing federations in Asia are attending and we feel it will be a unique opportunity to share ideas and experiences, and open-up communications on developing the sport of sailing in the region," added Whitcraft.
The Phuket King's Cup Regatta continues to builds strong relationships with the Chinese yachting community. Working with the Chinese Yachting Federation and its Secretary General Li Quan Hi, who is also President of the Asian Yachting Federation, in 2006 a special annual trophy was introduced for the Best Chinese entry. This was first won at the 2006 Regatta by Konka Hummingbird who was in the Racing Class that year. And more recently, earlier this year the Phuket King's Cup Regatta, was announced 'Asian Regatta Of The Year' at the inaugural Asia Marine & Boating Awards, held in Shanghai, China.
Inaugurated in 2007, the China Cup International Cup Regatta is the largest regatta of its kind in China and offers One Design racing unlike any other regatta in Asia. The 2010 CCIR will take place 29 October to 01 November at Vanke Longcheer Yacht Club, Shenzhen, P.R. China.
Under the auspices of Chinese Yachting Association and Executive Office of Organizing Committee for the Shenzhen 26th Summer Universiade, the 4th CCIR will be managed by Shenzhen Administration of Culture, Sport, Tourism and China Cup International Regatta Management Co. Ltd. Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and Shenzhen Vanke Longcheer Yacht Club will provide venue and professional support.
The 2010 Phuket King's Cup Regatta will take place 4 - 11 December 2010 off Kata Bay, Phuket Island, Thailand. Now in its 24th year, the Regatta was first sailed in 1987 to celebrate His Majesty the King of Thailand's 60th birthday. Under Royal Patronage, the Phuket King's Cup Regatta is organised by the Phuket King's Cup Regatta Organising 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.
Sponsors of the 2010 Phuket King's Cup Regatta include Kata Group Resorts Thailand, Chang Beer, Siam Winery, Mom Tri's Boathouse and The Moorings. Media Partners include Blue Wave 90.5FM, Helm Superyacht Asia Pacific, Indigo Media, Multihull World, The Nation, Phuket Gazette and YACHTstyle.
Website: www.kingscup.com.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=70268823885&ref=ts.
YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/phuketkingscup.
High resolution images for media: http://kingscup.com/MediaLogin.cfm.
If you would like more information on Team Phuket King's Cup or the Regatta generally, please contact:
Duncan Worthington
Communications Director
tel: +66 (0) 81 893 4006
email:
[email protected]
High resolution images are available upon request.