{"id":9431,"date":"2016-12-15T14:12:04","date_gmt":"2016-12-15T06:42:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.luxurysocietyasia.com\/?p=9431"},"modified":"2024-01-16T14:53:23","modified_gmt":"2024-01-16T07:23:23","slug":"phuket-kings-cup-regatta-celebrates-three-decades-on-the-water","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.luxurysocietyasia.com\/phuket-kings-cup-regatta-celebrates-three-decades-on-the-water\/","title":{"rendered":"Phuket King\u2019s Cup Regatta celebrates three decades on the water"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Phuket King\u2019s Cup<\/strong> committee faced a dilemma of how to honor HM Bhumibol Adulyadej<\/strong>\u2019s life and love for sailing and yet be respectful of his passing at the same time. But they were able to pull off it as Master of Ceremonies Radab Kanchanavanit<\/strong> continually reminded regatta participants to be respectful and tone down their celebrations during the week. (Radab hails from one of Thailand\u2019s most prominent sailing families as his father Dr. Rachot Kanchanavanit<\/strong> was one of the event\u2019s founders and won the 1993 Phuket King\u2019s Cup Regatta<\/strong>.).<\/p>\n

Story by guest writer:\u00a0Scott Murray<\/strong> and\u00a0Photos by King’s Cup Regatta 2016 team &\u00a0Guy Nowell<\/strong><\/p>\n

Although each of the regattas in the Southeast Asian sailing circuit, commonly known as the Asian Yachting Grand Prix<\/strong>, has their own unique characteristics and advantages, none can match the Phuket King\u2019s Cup Regatta<\/strong> in term of numbers and prestige. Indeed, if sailors are picking one regatta to race in \u2013 it\u2019s the Phuket King\u2019s Cup. This year, 94 keel boats and multihulls<\/strong> were divided into 12 classes<\/strong> competing with 106\u00a0Optimist, Topper and Laser Dinghies totaling over 1,500 sailors from 30 nations.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The regatta<\/strong> was first held in 1987 as part of national celebrations to mark the auspicious 60th<\/sup> birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej<\/strong>, the world\u2019s longest-reigning living monarch. His Majesty the King was a passionate sailor and created yachting history in 1967 when he and his daughter Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya<\/em><\/strong> won a gold medal in the OK dinghy class at the 4th<\/sup> South East Asian Peninsula Games<\/strong>. Each year, he sends a personal representative to present the trophies to all the winners at a gala closing ceremony.<\/p>\n

The Phuket King\u2019s Cup<\/strong>\u00a0Regatta<\/strong> brings together the best the region\u2019s sailing community has to offer from the organizing committee led by Kevin Whitcraft, to the race officers Simon James and the competitors who come from around the world to race in the event.<\/p>\n

The regatta has come a long way since it was founded in 1987 by then-incumbent Flag Commodore of the Royal Varuna Yacht Club (RVYC)<\/strong> Chris King, Dr. Rachot Kanjanavanit, Al Chandler, Adolph Knees and Mom Tri Devakul.<\/strong> The Phuket King\u2019s Cup<\/strong>\u00a0Regatta<\/strong> has always sailed under the direction of the RVYC, with extensive logistical help from the Royal Thai Navy and support from the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand (YRAT)<\/strong> along with several authorities in the province of Phuket.<\/p>\n

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It has a well-earned reputation for delivering a shore-based social schedule that can be more demanding than the race action as skippers and crews are assured of non-stop action, gourmet food and a variety of entertainment to suit everyone\u2019s tastes and dispositions. In many ways, the regatta is a reflection of what makes Thailand so special from the food and hospitality to the ocean, beaches and stunning topography.<\/p>\n

A variety of downwind and \u2019round-the-buoys races and a popular scenic island passage race provide suitable challenges for the many competing divisions, including racing, performance cruising, cruising, multihulls and classics. The regatta also has a very strong youth dinghy fleet that it supports with a year-round racing series to help foster the long-term appreciation of sailing in the Kingdom.<\/p>\n

Phuket is blessed with balmy tropical weather, good winds and stunning scenery. In short, all the ingredients for near perfect sailing conditions. The regatta has grown in size and reputation so it now ranks along with the Caribbean\u2019s Antigua Race week<\/strong> and Australia\u2019s Hamilton Island Regatta<\/strong>, as among the world\u2019s great sailing regattas.<\/p>\n

Phuket has become a Mecca for sailing enthusiasts from all corners of the globe. They are drawn by the great \u2019year-round weather conditions, the stunning scenery and the friendly locals. With the establishment of an increasing number of suitable on-shore backup facilities including marinas, service and charter businesses and regular sailing events, Phuket has emerged as Asia\u2019s premier marine leisure destination.<\/p>\n

Last year\u2019s winner of the premier racing division (IRC Zero), Sarab Jeet Singh\u2019s Windsikher II<\/em><\/strong> had to retire due to boat damage heading out of Langkawi without even getting a chance to defend their title. Then the first two days brought rough sailing weather and many boats were damaged. A few were forced out of the regatta early including Alan Carwardine’s defending multihull-class champion\u00a0Asia Catamarans<\/strong> Hurricane<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Mick Coleman’s\u00a0<\/strong>Java<\/strong>, <\/em>both d<\/em>ismasted, while Mark Horwood’s\u00a0Adreneline<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong>suffered a broken beam was also forced to retire from competition. Danny Moore Carbon Custom 36\u00a03Itch<\/em>\u00a0sat out day two, repairing a damaged back beam, but was able to return for the final three days of racing.<\/p>\n

During the first race\u00a0of the second day Anthony Root’s\u00a0Ker 42\u00a0Black Baza<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong>was hit by\u00a0Andrew de Bruin’s out of control Pulse 600\u00a0H30 Multihull Solutions<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0and both joined the growing casualty list. Black Baza<\/em> <\/strong>sought redress and was granted the win in that race, luckily suffering only minor damage, but de Bruin\u2019s Corsair was forced to retire from the regatta.<\/p>\n

The sail past is one of the marquee attractions of the King\u2019s Cup, and this year it happened before racing on the fourth day (Dec 9th<\/sup>) with all the boats sailing past and saluting the HTMS KLAENG and other fully dressed Royal Thai Navy vessels stationed off Koh Pu to honour HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun<\/strong> (Rama X\u2019s) accession to the throne.<\/p>\n