Phuket Kings Cup Regatta set to break records: 13-11-2007
This year's Phuket King's Cup Regatta falls on the King of Thailand's 80th birthday and is expected to attract record numbers of participants and tourists.
The races will take place from December 1st to 8th, with well over 100 boats from all over the world expected to enter the competition.
Santi Kanchanabandhu, president of the event's organising committee said: "We're happy to be kicking off another strong year for the Regatta. We see this not only as a great sporting event, but an event having a very positive impact on Phuket and Thailand as a whole.
"In addition to the strong international media attention, the event itself brings hundreds of people to Phuket - while involving a large part of the Thai sailing community and Royal Thai Navy as well."
Simon James, the race management director, added: "We are expecting a strong racing class again this year with Hong Kong entries from Nick Burns and Fred Kinmonth sailing Mandrake, Sam Chang's TP52 Freefire, Frank Pong's Jelik, and Neil Pryde's re-designed Hi-Fi already confirmed.
"These will be joined by the newly launched DK46 from Port Dixon and South African Philipp Gutsche's new yacht, commissioned especially for this year's event."
The Phuket King's Cup Regatta is Asia's biggest regatta and is celebrated by a week of parties to complement the serious sailing.