Phuket King’s Cup Regatta Sail Past a glorious spectacle

by Event Media on 5 Dec 2011 The 25th Phuket King’s Cup Regatta fleet completed an awe-inspiring sail past on its way to the start of the first day of racing. Lead by Royal Thai Navy yachts, participating boats sailed past H.T.M.S Chonburi and two further Navy vessels, saluting or standing up to an image of His Majesty the King of Thailand before making their way to the startline.

The diverse fleet of vessels, including 91 keelboats and multihulls, 38 dinghies, and 19 Kiteboards prepared for the start of the highly coveted regatta, considered by many to be the ‘one to win’. Every year, the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta attracts boats and crews from all over the world and this year is no exception with over 30 nationalities of participants taking part. Of particular note in 2011 is the growing numbers of sailors from within Asia taking part – China, Singapore and Thailand – as well as 12 boats taking part with Russian crews.

Today’s regal sail past opened the 25th Anniversary sail-fest – five days of racing and six beachside parties on Phuket’s West Coast, centred around Regatta HQ, the Kata Beach Resort & Spa.

Following today’s racing, hosted by Boathouse and Mont Clair, tonight’s party and prize-giving is held on Kata Beach at the newly-renovated Boathouse and is preceded by a candle-light ceremony on the sands, in honour of the Regatta’s Royal Patronage.

The first Phuket King’s Cup took place in 1987 to mark the 60th birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyedej, and the Regatta has been held in the first week of December ever since. 2011 is the 25th Anniversary of the classic boating spectacle, and this particular year marks His Majesty the King’s 84th Birthday and seventh cycle.

Sponsors of the 2011 Phuket King's Cup Regatta include Kata Group Resorts Thailand, PTT Group, Siam Winery, Singha Corporation, AIA Thailand, PTT Global Chemical, PTTEP, Thai Oil, Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket, Boathouse and Sunsail. Media Partners include 91.5FM, Helm Superyacht Asia Pacific, The Nation, Phuket Best Group, Phuket Gazette, Phuket Magazine, Sail-World.com, SEA Yachting and YachtStyle Asia.