Keelboats and multihulls, dinghies and windsurfs ready to race

by Media Center on 2 Dec 2013 Recognised throughout the eastern hemisphere as the premier sailing event of its kind, the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta will once more put on a spectacular display of the finest sailing talent including keelboats and multihulls, dinghies and windsurfs with a total of 171 boats including Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Monaco, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Russia, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Spain and Finland, competing in beautiful Andaman waters to win the ‘must-have’ racing trophy in all of Asia, from 1 to 6 December, 2013.

Racing between keelboats and multihulls is hosted over five days (2 – 6 December 2013) whilst racing in the Dinghy class will be held from 2 to 5 December. Windsurf racing will be held again between 5-6 December following its successful outing last year. The “Sail Pass” in honour of His Majesty the King's birthday will take place on 5 December. The Royal Awards Ceremony is to be held on 6 December 2013.

Kevin Whitcraft, President of the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta Organising Committee, said, “Each year, we are tasked with the challenge of creating a Phuket King’s Cup Regatta that lives up to past races and builds on this pedigree in interesting new ways. This year, we’re delighted to have Paul Ewing, an award-winning and much celebrated musician with a great deal of experience in touring with celebrity artists performing at the closing party. We’re also pleased to have the support of new sponsors this year; Jaguar and PTT Global Chemical, who join our other sponsors in offering exceptional support for the King’s Cup. The racing itself should be very exciting, with many winning teams returning to defend their class titles.”

The 27th Phuket King’s Cup Regatta sees a new Bareboat Charter division intended to address any disparities between professional and amateur teams in the class, making for a very open racing division this year. Additionally, the event will attract almost 100 vessels comprising full-scale racers, International Grand Prix racing boats, racing catamarans and a vast fleet of diverse sailing, cruising and racing craft, all competing for Asia’s most coveted prize in competitive sailing. Up to 104 boats The full complement of classes for the 2013 race year include IRC Zero (international 'Grand Prix' boats), the highly competitive IRC 1, IRC 2, IRC 3, Premier, Sport Boats, Modern Classic, Bareboat Charter, Open Charter, Multihull Racing, Multihull Cruising, Firefly 850 Sports, Cruising, Classic. Winning boats from last year are also registered to defend their honour this year, including Pine-Pacific, Patrice III, Foxy Lady, Ichi Ban, Jelik, KARASU, Sailplane, voodoo, Sansiri, and MOJO.

The Phuket King’s Cup Regatta 2013 will also feature dinghy racing. Its inclusion has played a part in the development of youth sailing in Thailand, encouraging more young sailors to take up the sport, and empowering the development of talented and aspiring skippers. 42 dinghies compete for four days (2 - 5 December) and are divided into Optimist class (also sub-divided into Boys and Girls born in 1998 or later) and Laser and Topper dinghy classes. Outstanding competitors are Chat Dawrueng, Charef Rakpongbandit, Keeratika Klongboon, and Surassawadee Sukpraw who have demonstrated their talent throughout the Phuket Dinghy Series sponsored by PTT Global Chemical.

2013’s Regatta will also feature Windsurfing for its second consecutive year. Up to 25 racers will compete from 5-6 December including national teams from five countries including France/Martinique, Spain, Finland, Singapore and Thailand. Outstanding Thai sailors who have registered include Ek Boonsawad (Thai Windsurfing Champion in 2011 and 2012; represented Thailand in the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games); Siriporn (Dao) Kaewduang-ngam (Gold Medallist in the 2010 Youth Olympics); and Navin Singsart (Gold Medallist in the 2007 Sea Games IMCO Class). The Phuket King’s Cup Regatta Windsurfing Championship will be raced on Phantom Race 295 windsurfs provided by Starboard for the event.

Two judges from the America’s Cup, Bryan Willis and John Doerr, will be acting as adjudicators for the first time at the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta. This particular year will be even more prestigious with Paul Ewing, award-winning singer-songwriter from Scotland (UK) and Artist Ambassador for the world’s largest children’s charity, World Vision UK, performing at the closing party of the 2013 Phuket King’s Cup Regatta on Friday 6th December 2013 at 7pm; an incredible finale to a week of scintillating racing.

The five days of highly competitive sailing are complemented by five fantastic beachside parties hosted by some of Phuket’s most recognisable names in hospitality including host venue Kata Beach Resort & Spa, with close to 2,000 guests attending nightly.

Sponsors of the 2013 Phuket King's Cup Regatta include Kata Group Resorts Thailand, PTT Global Chemical, Land Rover, Jaguar, Mont Clair, Singha Corporation, Sansiri PLC, Haadthip PLC, TAT and Sunsail. Media Partners include Phuket Gazette, Phuket Magazine, Sail-World.com, SEA Yachting and YachtStyle Asia.

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About the Phuket King's Cup Regatta – Asia’s legendary yacht race under Royal Patronage

Inaugurated in 1987 to celebrate the 60th birthday of His Majesty the King of Thailand, the event has been held every year since, during the first week of December.

Under Royal Patronage, the Phuket King's Cup Regatta is organized 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.


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