CURRENT EVENTS
Phuket King’s Cup Regatta
By sailworld.com
Nov 10, 2005, 02:55

The 19th annual Phuket King's Cup Regatta, the jewel in the crown of Asia's yachting circuit, will take place off the West Coast and South Islands of Phuket from the 3rd until the 10th of December 2005. The regatta is again expected to attract some of the world's best yachtsmen with between 80 to 100 yachts competing in Asia's most exciting nautical event.

King's Cup is the regions high profile event

The line-up for the 19th regatta is expected to match last year’s record number, when 96 keelboats and some 900 crew members from many nations competed for one of Asia’s most prestigious sailing trophies. By all accounts, 2004 was one of the best-ever regattas, with exciting racing in ideal conditions followed by some exceptional on-shore hospitality.

With a range of 10 yacht classes that includes different designs, from racing yachts and sport boats to cruisers and classics, this year's Regatta promises to maintain its standing as the region's premier international sailing event.

Yachts will come from many countries around the world such as Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, US, UK, Italy and Thailand. The week-long Regatta will be attended by international sailors from more than 15 countries from Europe to North America and Russia to Australia. There will be over 1000 international participants traveling to Phuket during the Regatta Week on the Regatta’s Official Carrier, Thai international Airways

Raimon Land is the principal sponsor for this year Regatta. They are joined by co-sponsors including Kata Beach Resort, Mom Tri’s Boat House, Chang Beer, Thai Airways International, Coutts Bank, Sunsail, Phuket Magazine, Thailand Elite Card and Royal Phuket Marina and many of whom supported the event in 2004.

Apart from continuing what is now recognized as Asia’s premier sailing competition, another aim of the regatta is to draw tourists back to the beautiful island of Phuket and the Andaman Sea. An International Regatta of this scale will be a useful event to promote marine tourism as well as the beautiful West Coast of Phuket.

The organizing committee, led by President Mr. Santi Kanchanabandhu, has vowed to build on last year’s successful regatta and help to bring this celebrated tourist destination once again to the world’s attention.

’The feedback from sailors, spectators and sponsors has been exceptional, and we are now keen to ensure that the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta retains its position as Asia’s top yachting event,’ said Khun Santi.

’At the same time, we are very much aware of our other obligations – to help the local community recover from last year’s catastrophe by bringing more people to this lovely island.’

Meanwhile, major sponsor Raimon Land has expressed its satisfaction by continuing its association with the regatta for the next three years.

‘Following the tremendous success of last year’s competition, we are extremely pleased and proud to be once again involved in the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta,’ commented Raimon Land’s CEO Mr Nigel Cornick.

’We see this as a wonderful opportunity to show our support for an exceptional sporting event and to underline our belief in the future of Phuket,’ Mr. Cornick added.

The King's Cup Regatta was inaugurated in 1987 to celebrate the 60th birthday of His Majesty the King. It has been held in early December every year since then.

The King's Cup Regatta is held under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King, 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.

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