Race Management team confirmed for Phuket King's Cup Regatta

by Phuket King's Cup Event Media on 1 Sep 2009 The on-water race management team and Jury for the 23rd Phuket King's Cup Regatta has been confirmed. Race Officers will be Jerry Rollin (Racing Fleet courses) and Ross Chislom (Cruising Fleet courses), while Bryan Willis returns as head of the International Jury.

Philippines-based Brit Rollin brings a wealth of experience as PRO at many Asian regattas, including the Raja Muda, Top of the Gulf, Hobie Asian Champs (Hong Kong) and the Fiji Hobie Challenge earlier this year, to name a few. Rollin will be Race Officer for the Racing Fleet courses.

Australian Chisholm has been an active sailor for over 45 years, and has been involved in Race
Management and administration for over 20 years, including over 10 years as a full time race
officer at Royal Brighton Yacht Club in Australia. He has been an International Race Officer
since 1996, and has managed many Major Australian and international events, including several
World Championships, and other ocean yacht races. Chislom will be Race Officer for the cruising fleet courses.

On-shore, Jenny Howells from the RORC Rating Office in the UK will be present to oversee IRC Handicaps and assist the Official Measurer, Malcolm Runnels. Off-shore, the Race Officers are backed-up by a large on-water support team of more than 30 local volunteers. There are still some positions available for capable volunteers, email racing@kingscup.com if interested.

The dinghy fleets and courses will be run under the management of personnel from the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand (YRAT).

The International Jury sees a number of regular returnees, including Rut Subniran (Thai), Rear Admiral Prasart Sribhadung (Thai), Egil Wold (Norway) and Mark Pryke (Australia) as Vice Chairman. Bryan Willis (GBR) has been confirmed as Chairman.

Willis brings vast experience at the highest levels to the Phuket King's Cup Regatta, having been Chairman of the International Jury and Chief Umpire for the 30th, 31st and 32nd America's Cup, as well as Chairman of the Jury and Chief Umpire of the 2008-2009 Volvo Ocean Race.

Willis is no newcomer to the Phuket King's Cup Regatta having chaired the International Jury on a number of occasions previously.

Heading up the whole on-water operation is Simon James, Race Director for the Phuket King's Cup Regatta. Having been involved with the King's Cup for 14 years – nine as Race Director – and former Sales and Marketing Manager for Sunsail Asia-Pacific based in Thailand, James contributes years of invaluable sailing and regatta organisational experience. He has been the Principal Race Officer for Koh Samui, Phuket Raceweek and Phang Nga Bay Regattas for a number of years, and continues to hold those positions today.

'We're looking forward a well-run regatta. The large variety of yachts that compete in the King's Cup each year make it a challenging event to organise. We have recruited professional on-water Race Officers and experienced International Jurors, and we are confident of a competitive and successful Phuket King's Cup,' said James.