THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY PHUKET KING’S CUP REGATTA
Phuket – One of the most prestigious international sporting events in South-east Asia, the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta Under Royal Patronage, will celebrate its 30th Anniversary this year, marking a significant milestone in the successful history of competitive sailing and sports tourism in Thailand. As the race prepares to set sail for a landmark year, swelling Phuket visitor numbers make a large contribution to overall Thai tourism performance, boosting the tourism, hospitality and marine sports sectors and supporting the continuing growth of one of the world’s best loved sailing destinations. The Phuket King’s Cup Regatta 2016 will be held off Kata Beach, Phuket, from 3-10 December, 2016, hosting international racing classes across which over 150 boats and 1500+ sailors compete for one of sailing’s most prestigious trophies.
The Phuket King’s Cup Regatta has recently won the prestigious 2016 Asia Boating Awards – Best Asian Regatta, an award which recognizes the extraordinary efforts of the organizers. The Phuket King’s Cup is renowned globally for its exceptional organization, promotion, course quality, entry size, competitiveness and social aspects. It is the third time the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta has won this coveted award, coinciding with its Pearl Anniversary celebration for 2016.
Consisting of five days of racing on challenging, scenic courses held amidst the beautiful Andaman Sea islands, the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta brings some of the world’s fastest independent racing teams, in addition to its famed prize-giving party series. A big draw for Thai companies and international brands keen to grow their presence on a cosmopolitan platform, the race series and parties are a must-see event on the Phuket local calendar. The regatta offers sponsorship and media engagement opportunities as well as premier networking hosted across the party venues each night following conclusion of the day’s racing
The Phuket King’s Cup Regatta also introduced its Dinghy Series in 2010, creating a network between sailing clubs to inspire more youths in Thailand to take up the sport (especially the Optimist Challenge for the under 15s). The establishing of the Phuket Dinghy Series has helped bring to the fore many young Thai sailing talents from sailing clubs in Phuket, Phang Nga and Songkhla in order to prepare them for the international competition – and for future Phuket King&’s Cup Regattas, of course. This year’s Phuket King’s Cup Anniversary year marks a poignant moment in the history of the event, as well as an ideal opportunity for new visitors to discover this legendary race on its biggest ever year.
Under Royal Patronage, the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta is organized by the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta Organizing 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. The region’s largest regatta includes dinghies (International Dinghy Classes), keelboats and multihulls amongst its competitive classes, and will feature a sail pass to celebrate His Majesty the King’s birthday. Competing sailors travel from USA,Australia, England, Russia, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and China, with ever-increasing international representation among crews.
About the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta – The most prestigious regatta in Asia
Inaugurated in 1987 to celebrate the 60 th birthday of His Majesty the King of Thailand, the event has been held every year since, during the first week of December. Consisting of five days of racing on scenic courses amidst the beautiful Andaman Sea islands, the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta draws sailors and support crews from over 40 countries worldwide. Sailing in Thailand also enjoys a great boost from the regatta as young Thai sailors are able to develop their sailing skills, and go on to join international keelboat crews competing for class honors.
The 2016 Phuket King’s Cup Regatta represents a magnificent milestone in the evolution of the competition for it is the 30 th Anniversary of Asia’s classic race. The regatta’s Pearl Anniversary run is set to be the most memorable in its history; a burgeoning international fleet replete with superb young Thai sailing talent the future, whilst serving the past as a conscientious nod to the regatta’s growth from humble beginnings 30 years ago, helped massively by its Under Royal Patronage status.
The Phuket King’s Cup Regatta is organized by the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta Organizing Committee underthe 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. The region’s largest regatta includes dinghies (International Dinghy Classes), keelboats and multihulls amongst its competitive classes, and will feature a sail pass to celebrate His Majesty the King’s birthday.