Phuket King’s Cup attracts all manner of boats, even super-yachts

by Tracey Johnstone on 18 Nov 2009 On the start line at this year’s Phuket King’s Cup will be an impressive fleet of boats ranging in size from little sportsboats through to a super yacht.

Leading the Premier Division and at 115 feet, the stunning super-yacht Obsession II is the largest vessel to compete in this year’s regatta. Normally enjoyed by charter groups for pleasant day sailing and passages, the opportunity for the Obsession II team to participate in the well-known regatta was too good to miss.

The challenge for Captain Bernard Coiron and his crew will be to fasten down all the luxurious elements of the yacht in preparation for the five days of racing. First job will be securing the contents of the three cabins and ensuites. Then the beautifully appointed saloon, with its comfortable lounge and separate dining area, will require setting up for racing. Once the internal areas are ready the deck gear will need to be organised; the seawater pool emptied out and the jet tender stored back on top, the rubber duckie, jet skis, water skis, wake board and snorkelling gear all secured in the aft storage compartment. Assisted by his four crew; an engineer, deck mate, stewardess and Chef, Coiron should have the yacht ready in time for the practice race on Sunday 29 November.

Under sail Obsession II will no doubt initially blanket the smaller yachts in the Premier Division. The 135-ton sloop has a 50m mast, 350sqm mainsail, 345 sqm genoa and can sail at up to 12 knots. The question then is will this be enough sail power and hull speed to beat on handicap the other seven Premier entrants. Obsession II will be up against Ian Nicholson’s Intrigue (NZL) a Dubois 80 footer, a regular competitor in the regatta. Then there are the quick 50 footers including Jon Wardill’s Australian Maid (AUS), Ermakov Ilya’s Ocean Agassy (RUS) and Pana Trungkabunchar’s X512 yacht Lawana (THA).

The French-owned yacht was designed by Berret Racoupeau and launched in 2002. The yacht has for many years been chartered out for about 42,000 Euros per week. In early 2008 the owner sent Obsession II on a four year around the world voyage. Now half-way through the voyage after following a slow passage from France across the Atlantic and then Pacific oceans, she finally arrived into Phuket in mid-October 2009. After an eight month stay in Thailand Obsession II will travel to Langkawai for shipyard work before heading off again on its world voyage.