Big fleet for Phuket King’s Cup

by Bangkok Media on 14 Nov 2003 Phuket, Thailand - A bigger fleet than usual is on the cards for this year’s Phuket King’s Cup Regatta. With more than 50 yachts already confirmed, entries are higher for the time of year than for the previous two regattas, according to King’s Cup President, Chris King.

The regatta’s 17th year has been a year of change and renewal, with co-founder Chris King returning to the presidency and traditional close ties with Pattaya’s Royal Varuna Yacht Club strengthened.

Over the past two years, the effects of September 11 and the Bali tragedy took their toll on regatta entrants. After its high point in 2000, when the magic figure of 100 yachts was missed by just two, numbers declined. Last year saw 68 boats join in the week of serious racing and superb beach parties, which started on the famous Phi Phi Islands, before returning to its current home in Kata Beach.

The 2003 regatta will not start in Phi Phi, but may return there next year. This year, under the stewardship of Simon James, racing will be held off Phuket. Courses and starts are designed to suit all boats – from the fastest racing yachts to the slowest live-aboard cruiser – and to ensure all entrants get the best racing conditions allow.

This year sees the return of John McLennan as Principal Race Officer. After a continuous seven-year period in the hot seat, New Zealander, McLennan, had to drop out of last year’s event due to illness. He returns in 2003 with renewed enthusiasm.

ISAF’s Mark Pryke, who stepped into the role of Principal Race Officer last year, returns to his customary position as Chairman of the international jury, supported by experienced jurors Rear Admiral Prasart Sribhadung (Thailand), Howard Elliot (Australia), Katuya Hashiba (Japan) and Brian Willis (UK).

Among the notable entries this year are John Wardill's Australian Maid, Ray Ordoveza's Clariden-Karakoa, George and Melissa Olivet's Big Buzzard, Viroj Nualkhair's Octopussy and Radab Kanjanavanit's Cedar Swan. Not yet confirmed, but expected, are the two Royal Thai Navy boats (which took home several prizes in 2002), Neil Pryde’s Hi Fidelity, Peter Ahern’s Yo!, Ray Roberts’ Hollywood Boulevard, Keith Moore’s Pla Loma and Tony Lough’s Fine Pitch.

The majestic Classic class, adding stately glamour to the regatta scene, will be in Phuket in greater strength than ever with Jens Ehrhardt’s Sylvia returning after an absence of two years. This year will see three-time Kings Cup winner Christopher Edwards (Xyphias) donate a new perennial trophy – the ‘Xyphias’ trophy – for the Classic class.

With a range of classes that encompasses everything from sports boats (2003 sees the home debut of the new Phuket 8 Sports Boat) through cruisers to classics, and with a fleet sure to reach the high 70s, this year’s Phuket King’s Cup Regatta is set to reaffirm its spot as the region’s premier sailing event.

Given the Thai government’s apparent readiness to take fiscal and regulatory steps to cement Phuket’s position as the region’s leading yachting destination, the staging of the island’s first international boat show immediately following the King’s Cup and the emergence of new Phuket-based regattas, this year’s King’s Cup Regatta will have a very special feel; the first event marking the start of a new era for yachting in Thailand.

No major event such as the King’s Cup Regatta could survive without serious sponsorship. This year’s King’s Cup is no exception. The return of Royal Phuket Marina for its second year as principal sponsor and the continuing support of the newly-refurbished Kata Beach Resort as host sponsor, demonstrate the loyalty amongst local island businesses for this prestigious event. These two main sponsors are backed up by many old faces and some new ones, who continue to help ensure Phuket remains firmly at the top.

Sponsors of the 2003 Phuket King’s Cup Regatta include:

Royal Phuket Marina, Kata Group, Mom Tri’s Boathouse, American Express Bank, Thai Marine Leisure, Teka (Thailand), Phuket Arcadia Beach Resort (operated by Hilton International), Sunsail, Artasia Press and Image Asia, as well as many supporting sponsors.

Bangkok media