Sailors preparing for Phuket’s King Cup Regatta

The sunny beach side resorts of Phuket are getting ready for the 2007 Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, which will be held from December 1st to the 8th. This year the regatta will be particularly special as it will help to celebrate the 80th birthday of His Majesty the King of Thailand.

Thai and expatriate sailors based in Phuket will participate in the event alongside sailors from the rest of Thailand and from around the world.

Last year more than 100 boats entered the regatta and were cheered on by over 200 members of the local and international media community.

"We’re happy to be kicking off another strong year for the Regatta. We see this not only as a great sporting event, but an event having a very positive impact on Phuket and Thailand as a whole. In addition to the strong international media attention, the event itself brings hundreds of people to Phuket – while involving a large part of the Thai sailing community and Royal Thai Navy as well," said Santi Kanchanabandhu, President of the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta Organizing Committee.

The event is organized every year by the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta Organizing Committee which works from the Royal Varuna Yacht Club. Together with the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, the Royal Thai Navy, the Province of Phuket and the approval and Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King.

Logistics for the event as well as equipment, officers, boats, helicopters and a security and rescue SEAL unit are provided by the Third Naval Area Command of the Royal Thai Feet which is based in Phuket.

"We are seeing strong turnouts in all categories involving Thai and Thai-based sailors. There will also be a good spread of boats in both IRC and Multihull classes with leading charter companies Sunsail and Elite Yachting, both of Phuket, already full for this year’s event," said Simon James, Phuket King’s Cup Regatta Race Management Director.

Interested sailors can submit their entries until November 9th.