Phuket King's Cup Regatta NOR published

by Phuket King's Cup media on 9 Jul 2009 The Notice of Race for the 23rd Phuket King's Cup Regatta has been now published and is available on the regatta's official website at www.kingscup.com. The regatta will take place from 28 November to 5 December 2009, with 5 days of sailing, one reserve day, 2 registration days and six social functions.

Keelboat and Multihull classes will include: Racing, Premier, Sport Boats, IRC, Modern Classic, Bareboat Charter, Multihull, Firefly 850 Sports, Beach Catamarans, Classic, Cruising Class, One-Design Class Racing.

All participating yachts shall comply with the RYA-RORC Special Regulations, Safety and Equipment requirements of a Category 4 Regatta with the exception of Sport Boats and Beach Catamaran Classes, which shall comply with the RYA-RORC Appendix J Category 5 Special Regulations.

Full details and class definitions can be found in the complete NOR, available at http://www.kingscup.com/index.cfm?ntid=1018.

The underlying aim of the Phuket King's Cup Regatta is to provide competitive and enjoyable racing for all crews, irrespective of the design or vintage of their yachts. With this in mind, the organisers undertook a survey online following the 2008 regatta to source feedback on the event and seek opinion and new ideas, and as a result, a number of changes to the racing format and class structure have been made this year.

Firstly, a Modern Classic class is introduced this year for the first time. Open to Monohull keelboats of less than 24.0m LOA, with IRC Series Date 1980 or earlier and a current valid IRC 2009 certificate, the aim of the class is to encourage classic designs of yachts that aren't necessarily classic in age, to participate.

“We have discussed the idea with a number of yachts that would be eligible for this category and they are positive and keen to be in the class,” said Race Director, Simon James. Perennial favourites Emerald Blue and Big A are two local Phuket-based yachts that fit this category are will be challenging for the class trophy.

Changes are planned for the Bareboat Class, possibly adding a number of divisions. With the large number of one-design, near one-design, and same manufacturer boats, the race management team are considering having a variety of divisions within the class, and at the same time remove the Sunsail One-Design Class and make it a division within the Bareboat Class.

Another significant addition this year is the provision for One-Design Class Associations, such as the Thailand-built RS Elite, to apply for their own One-Design Class Racing. In the NOR, provision is made for One-Design Class racing by a Class Association.

One-design classes of more than six boats may apply to the Race Committee for their own class status. Applications should be made to the Race Committee by the Class Association and must be submitted no later than 7th November 2009.

“This is actually something we have been able to incorporate for a few years, but this year we have made it explicit in the NOR and we are in discussions with a number of Class Associations who are interested in having their own class and trophy,” added James.

The RS Elite yachts, which sailed for the first time in Thailand at the Top of The Gulf Regatta this year, have shown interest. Cobra Sports are making the boats in Thailand and there are expected to be up to 10 in the water by the Phuket King's Cup Regatta.

Similar to the Bareboat Class, the Multihull Class may be split into divisions depending on entries and numbers.

“These changes are in addition to our plans to re-introduce Hobie Cat and dinghy sailing to the Phuket King's Cup Regatta this year. There are also some other racing and class ideas that are in the consideration stage, which if can be finalised, we will announce in due course,” concluded James.

Sponsors of the 2009 regatta include Raimon Land Plc, Kata Group, Thai Beverage Plc, Mom Tri's Boathouse, Sunsail, Mont Clair and Phuket Magazine. Media partners include Blue Wave 90.5FM, Ensign Media, Multihull World, The Nation, Phuket Gazette, Sail-World.com, Superyacht Asia magazine and Yacht Style.

The 23rd Phuket King's Cup Regatta will take place 28 November - 5 December, 2009, off Kata Beach, Phuket, Thailand. Under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King of Thailand, the 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.

For more information, please visit www.kingscup.com or email info@kingscup.com.