Fifty boats, Fosters Beer and fabulous Phuket make for a great Race Week…

by Asian Edition on 9 Jun 2004 Asia’s newest regatta, Phuket Race Week, to be held from 10 until 17 July 2004, anticipates a strong first year turnout. ‘We were concerned that we might suffer from a ‘too many regional regattas’ syndrome, but it seems we’ve hit on the right formula,’ said Andy Dowden, director of organizers Image Asia Events. Dowden added that solid entries had already reached over 30 boats, with at least that many again showing strong interest.

Hosted by the stylish Evason Phuket Resort, on the island’s Southeast coast, Phuket Race Week has gone for a number of firsts. The time of year – during the Southwest monsoon – may mean a touch of rain, but it also virtually guarantees consistent breezes.

Courses are set so that racing will take place just offshore the host resort, and both start and finish lines are within sight of land-based spectators. Weather permitting, at least one passage race will be included.

Tackling the thorny issue of classes, particularly the hurdle of attracting locally-based or visiting cruising boats, Phuket Race Week introduces ‘Club Class’ – a class for keelboats participating with the owner onboard, cruisers that do not normally race (so may not have a valid IRC certificate), and for charter boats who prefer a less competitive fleet. Then there’s ‘Charter Class’, racing under the IRC Handicap system, for any yacht chartered for the regatta and not crewed by the owner.

And there’s an option for those who can’t get their own boat to Phuket for Race Week: Charter company Sunsail has available for charter six identical, brand-new boats – Jeaneau Sun Odysee 35s. Participants who charter one individually can opt for either Club Class or IRC. If they get a group together to charter four or more, the organizers will create a one-design class just for them. A unique opportunity to race against your friends or colleagues.

Race Week entries to date include some notable names. Ulumulu (formerly Luna Nuova) and Karakoa will be there. Former King’s Cup winners Radab Kanjanavit’s Cedar Swan, Mark Pescott’s Summersalt and Michel Arnulphy’s Cyrene lead what promises to be the biggest multihull fleet to cross an Asian regatta’s start line. Stuart Harrison’s Panic will challenge all four Phuket 8 Sport Boats in a competition well worth scrutiny now that Pla Loma’s Keith Moore has joined the little guys.

On the social side, Phuket Race Week plans to break the regatta party convention. Evason’s stunning ‘Into the Beach’ waterside party area is the focus of all off-the-water activity. A 5-star regatta bar offering post-race drinks at regular pub prices, a big screen showing raw footage of the day’s racing and computer screens carrying results will blend seamlessly with the prizegivings and parties – all in the one area.

With Fosters on board as beer sponsor, Australia’s favourite beer will flow once the formal festivities start, while Evason will be trying their hardest to outdo their renowned King’s Cup culinary achievements.

Organized by the Phuket Boat Show team, Phuket Race Week, is held under the auspices of Ao Chalong Yacht Club. Headed by former King’s Cup Race Committee Chairman and 2002 King’s Cup President Andy Dowden, the lineup is strengthened by the Ao Chalong boys, bringing in their experience of regular racing in the waters off Phuket’s East coast.

Run under ISAF rules, Phuket Race Week has New Zealand’s unflappable John McLennan as international PRO, leading a team of international race management professionals.

‘While we’re naturally drawing on our King’s Cup experience,’ said Dowden, ‘we’re taking the opportunity of a fresh start to change the formula; our aim is not only to offer superb racing in good breezes, but at the same time to provide a post-race setting that encourages sailors to meet in one place, to relax over a few drinks and chew the fat over what happened on the water.’

For details of Phuket Race Week, visit www.phuketraceweek.com or contact Andy Dowden on raceweek@image-asia.com

Sponsors of Phuket Race Week include: Evason Phuket Resort, Fosters, Sunsail, QBE Insurance, Quantum Sails, Phuket International Hospital, Electrical Marine and Simrad