The 35th Phuket King’s Cup Regatta officially got underway today in the waters off of Phuket’s Kata Beach. Many of Thailand’s best young sailors are competing in the international dinghy class. Rising nautical stars gracing Kata Bay included Patcharaphan “Stam” Ongkaloy who captured a gold medal in the Optimist Class in the recent Southeast Asia Games in Cambodia. Thanaphat “Poom” Siricharoen, who won a silver medal in the ILCA 4 class of the same competition, is also sailing; as is Ton Rattana, the current ILCA 4 class district champion.
Much of the focus on the King’s Cup is on the foreign racers that travel far and wide to compete in Asia’s most prestigious regatta. But the event is also a platform for young Thai and Asia sailors to showcase their talents and jumpstart their racing careers.
The International Dinghy Classes race from 3-5 December at Kata Beach, divided into four starts today, as follows: Monohull Dinghy Handicap (12 boats); ILCA 4 (15 boats); Open Skiff (17 boats); and Optimist (79 boats).
One hundred and twenty-three dinghies from nine nations including, Canada, China, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, St. Christopher & Nevis, Taiwan, Thailand, and the USA are competing in the regatta.
It was a great day for women’s racing. Patcharaphan “Stam” Ongkaloy (Yacht Racing Association of Thailand) continued her winning ways capturing the Optimist Girl’s Class today with fellow YRAT sailor Pailin Jaroenpon placing second and Royal Varuna’s Pinchanok Klaysomboon coming in third. All three finished before their first male counterpart crossed the line.
Jirathip Muthiphan then won the Optimist Boy’s Class, followed by Nattakorn Jitsuwan and Panudat Polpool with all three sailors representing YRAT.
The ILCA4 class was won by YRAT’s Nanvatorn Supaamphonwit with clubmate and the top female finisher Paranee Muangngam placing second. RVYC’s Ton Rattana came third in this class.
Open Skiff was won by another woman India’s Anandi Chandavarkar, followed by UWC’s Don Kaewpradab of Thailand in second with Indian Eashaan Mehta, placing third.
The Open Skiff class has a devout following at the nearby Phuket Yacht Club in Ao Chalong under the astute leadership of former Australian national junior champion Scott Duncanson. The popularity of these boats has grown substantially since they were introduced to Phuket a few years back.
The regatta runs from December 2nd to 9th with Beyond Kata hosting the event and the Royal Awards Ceremony.
For more information and result, please visit www.kingscup.com.
The Regatta’s sponsors, including Host Sponsor Kata Group, Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, RMA Group, Ford Motor Company (Thailand), Ricoh (Thailand) Limited, Haad Thip PCL, Pine Pacific Corporation Limited, Singha Corporation Co., Ltd., and National Telecom Public Company Limited.
