Kings Cup Regatta in Phuket

The 18th Phuket King's Cup Regatta finished on December 11 with several changes on the leader board and a fantastic representation on the winner's podium from boats built or registered in Thailand. Sailing conditions were consistently good all week and the final day's 15-20 knot winds provided a tremendous final race.

The fiercely contested Racing class was won by Neil Pryde's High Fidelity, a regular and very successful King's Cup contender, knocking Yo! off its top spot into second place. Third was Mandrake. In the Sports Boat class Thai built Buzz 8 claimed victory dominating the class with six consecutive wins. Second, and ten points behind, was Jativa and third was Pink Pussy Cat.

In the closest class of the competition, the Premier Cruising, the eventual winner Yendy's won by the slimmest margin. Equal on points to second place Vida both boats were identically matched in their results across the week. After consulting the Racing Rules of Sailing the judges awarded it to Yendy's based on their final placing on the very last day. Hocux Pocux 2 was relegated to third despite being first home, the only boat to complete the course in under two hours.

In the Sunsail class Christian Eschenburg in Princess Anna finished his amazing week winning every race in the class. Princess Arieta came second with Princess Athena in third place. The IRC1 class finished two races on the final day and was eventually won by New Zealand boat Ruby Tuesday. Second went to Foxy Lady and Di Hard was awarded third.

Dominating the IRC2 class the Royal Thai Navy 1 and 2 were awarded first and second place respectively. Third place La Samudra was a consistent challenger all week with all other boats in the class experiencing mixed fortunes.

In the biggest class IRC3 Abraxas won the series with Minx second and Patrice III third. Again dominated by three boats the Ocean Rover class was won by Aquavit III with Cordelia second and Tarawadee third.

Twin-masted, twin-sailed catamaran Coco Blues won the multihull class from Charro in a tight race. Third place was awarded to Ceberus and all the first four in the class were Thai boats.

In the Classic race Greensleeves won the series with Phuket Sail Sanook second and recently built Sunshine third. The King's Cup is the first race for newly built Sunshine, which was originally designed in 1900.

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Overview

The annual Phuket King's Cup Regatta, the jewel in the crown of Asia's yachting circuit, takes place each December off the shores of Phuket. With a range of yacht classes that includes everything from racing yachts and sport boats to cruisers and classics, the Regatta is the region's premier international sailing event, attracting some of the world's best yachtsmen.

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

In addition to exciting competition, the Regatta is also a major social event for the island, with several parties and other activities held throughout the week. Most of the action is at Kata Beach - the bay bustles with crew preparing to sail off in the mornings, while in the evenings the hotels lining its shore play host to glamorous soirees for participants and fans of the event.

The Regatta is held under the Royal Patronage of HM the King, and organized by the Phuket King's Cup Regatta Organising Committee and 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.