The 34th Phuket King’s Cup Regatta is ready to set sail and welcome sailors from all over the globe, including Thailand, to undertake the challenge of competing in one of the most scenic locations in the world in the azure waters of the Andaman Sea off Phuket, Thailand.
The regatta will bring yacht racing back to Thailand and enhance Phuket as a destination for family holidays and adventure sports.
Kevin Whitcraft, President of the 34th Phuket King’s Cup Regatta organizing committee, said, “We are excited to organize the regatta again after a two-year forced hiatus. The 34th Edition is ready to welcome all international and Thai yacht racing sailors for Keelboat and Multihulls and Dinghy races. It is indeed remarkable to compete in this warm weather water, surrounded by the beautiful Andaman Sea and the scenic beauty of Phuket.
“We want to make the King’s Cup a bucket list sailing event for all boat owners globally. It is a family-friendly event where adults can race yachts while their kids race dinghies. The King’s Cup Regatta has established itself as one of the most spectacular and best-organised events in the region. The diversity of the craft, the international complement of crews and the highlight – the best-after-sailing beach parties – have made the King’s Cup Regatta well-known globally. We’re very proud of its contribution to Phuket and Thailand and to the sport of sailing.”
Mr Arnupab Rodkwan Yodrabam, Deputy Governor of Phuket, said, “Renowned as the Pearl of Andaman, Phuket is ready to welcome all visitors to enjoy our beautiful natural resources, variety of pristine white sand beaches, the island’s heritage, a variety of culinary delights, and warm hospitality. During COVID-19, Phuket implemented the GEMMMSSTTF strategy to recover its economy, consisting of 1. GASTRONOMY; 2. EDUCATION HUB; 3. MARINA HUB; 4. MEDICAL HUB; 5. MICE CITY; 6. SPORTS TOURISM; 7. SMART CITY; 8. TUNA HUB; 9. TOURISM; and 10. FUSION FARM. The whole week of this Asia-premiere regatta will enhance Phuket’s sports tourism, including sailing. On behalf of the people of Phuket, we wish all the best for all international and local sailing teams participating in this year’s Phuket King’s Cup Regatta.
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 most prestigious regatta includes International Dinghies, Keelboats, and Multihulls Classes. The Royal Awards Ceremony will be on 10th December 2022 at Beyond Resort Kata, Kata Beach, Phuket.
Widely regarded as one of Asia’s premier yachting regattas, it consists of five days of racing on scenic courses amidst the beautiful Andaman Sea islands. Following two years of no regatta due to the Covid pandemic, Phuket King’s Cup Regatta is glad to be back with a strong showing of 182 Dinghies from Thailand, the United Kingdom, Singapore, India, Japan, Malaysia and China to participate in the International Dinghy Classes. A key event on the Phuket tourism calendar, the regatta helps promote Phuket as a premier sports paradise on the world stage. In addition, the regatta has boosted sailing as a sport in Thailand, allowing young Thai sailors to develop their sailing skills in dinghies and go on to join international keelboat crews competing for class honours.
Besides attracting some of the world’s fastest independent racing teams, the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta is famous for its après-sailing beach party series that showcase Phuket’s culinary specialities and gourmet food. Adding to the festivity is live music. The event draws corporate and international brands keen to grow their presence on a cosmopolitan platform. It also offers premier networking opportunities at the party venues each night following the conclusion of the day’s racing.
Keelboats and Multihulls will compete between 5-10 December, with 8th December as a lay day for competitors to adjust their strategies or fix their boats. The race will continue from 9-10 December.
The International Dinghy Classes will race from 3-6 December at Kata Beach. Classes are divided into Optimist Boys, Optimist Girls, Open ILCA4, ILCA6, ILCA 7, 420, 470, and Open Skiff.
The Phuket King’s Cup Regatta has played an essential part in the development of sailing in Thailand. It has encouraged young sailors to take up the sport and helped develop talented and aspiring skippers, who now represent Thailand at several international events.
Arnupap Rodkwan Yodrabam, Vice-Governor of Phuket, said we are pleased to welcome all sailors, their teams, and their families again to the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta. We are proud to have been home to this prestigious sailing event for over three decades. The whole week of this Asia-premiere regatta will enhance Phuket’s sports and marine tourism and boost the local economy. Phuket is ranked as one of the best places to visit. The No. 1 island in Southeast Asia provides a diverse range of water sports for all visitors, including sailing, where all sailors can enjoy their sailing in good weather conditions all year. The pristine white sand beach, the island’s heritage, various culinary delights, and warm hospitality. On behalf of the people of Phuket, we wish all the best for all international and local sailing teams participating in this year’s Phuket King’s Cup Regatta.
Koravic Bhanubandh Na Ayudhaya, Commodore Royal Varuna Yacht Club, said, “The Phuket King’s Cup Regatta has been the most-admired regatta in Asia for over 30 years. For the 34th event, the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, as the PKCR’s stewardess, aims to strengthen the foundation of sailing sports in the country by increasingly promoting its dinghy races. The objective is to position the PKCR’s International Dinghy Class as one of the region’s biggest dinghy races. Especially, Phuket provides the best conditions for dinghy practices and races almost all year round. The initiative will help enable more Thai dinghy athletes to step up to compete in world-class arenas, building more sailors of grand fleet, and sustainably developing the Thailand’s sailing sports in the future.”
Mr Pramookpisitt Achariyacha, Kata Group Resorts Founder and President, said, “First and foremost, I would like to give everyone a hot welcome to Phuket and Beyond Resort Kata, the venue of Asia’s most prestigious sailing event, The 34th Phuket Kings Cup Regatta! It is refreshing to see everyone today, good friends and colleagues, and that The Phuket King’s Cup event is back after the Pandemic. Together, we have withstood tough challenges, and we can work towards building what was damaged so that all of us, including the next generation, can continue to live a life full of hope and bliss. This Regatta is a good opportunity to ensure people remain together and united through Sporting Events and Tourism. I finally would like to show my appreciation to all of you for being here and taking the next steps to re-build our world. Thank you, and I wish you all a fun and successful Regatta.”
Sponsors of the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta include Kata Group, RMA Group, Haad Thip PCL. and Workforce International.
For more information and results, please visit www.kingscup.com.
Written by: Supaporn Pholrach (Joom)
========================================
