World-class windsurfers on Phuket rally

Thirty world-class windsurfers are currently racing down the west coast of Phuket on a 100-kilometre, four-day event which set off from Nai Yang Beach, held in honour of His Majesty the King

Thailand’s first international windsurfing rally championship has attracted top windsurfers from 21 countries around the world for the four days of racing.

Members from the Eastern Windsurfing Club (EWC) have joined forces with the Windsurfing Association of Thailand, the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand (YRAT) and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

The windsurfers set off from Nai Yang beach on January 16 following a welcome speech at the Indigo Pearl Hotel by Phuket Vice-Governor Worapoj Ratthasima and the race began from Surin Beach just after midday.

Of the quality windsurfers in the line-up are: Austrian Olympic gold medalist Christoph Sieber; Italian world champion and Olympic competitor Riccardo Giordano; British windsurfing champion Guy Cribb; Australian champion Chris Lawrence; German windsurfing champion Alexander Baron; and French champion Patrice Belbeoc'h.

The first leg on Wednesday went from Surin Beach to Patong, with the second leg onto Kata from Patong on Friday and the final leg from Kata to Nai Harn on Saturday 19th.

The closing ceremony of the event will be held on Saturday evening at The Royal Phuket Yacht Club in Nai Harn, where prizes will be awarded by the Tourism and Sports Minister Suwit Yodmanee.