The 10-17 July Phuket Race Week set an inaugural mid-season sailing mark on the Andaman Sea racing calendar. The exciting regatta, organized by Image Asia Events, under the auspices of Ao Chalong Yacht Club, brought together sailing boats from various classes to compete in the turquoise open waters off seafront host sponsor Evason Phuket Resort and Spa.

International crews flew into Phuket from Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand to race a fleet of 19 boats. Both crew and spectators enjoyed a sensational week. For the most part, light breezes replaced the anticipated heavy monsoon winds, which made only a brief appearance on the final day. With almost nothing separating the leaders in three classes, each crew had to fight the winds and battle their way to the finish.

After starting the final day on equal points with Stuart Harrison's Panic!, Scott Duncanson sailed his way to overall victory aboard his Phuket 8 Securicor Som Tam Express. Mick Kealy's Minx was victorious in IRC Class, while Stuart Crow and his crew on boat Cinders and Mark Prescott's Ceberus also sailed a fantastic race to win the series for Club and Multihull classes, respectively.

Celebrations took place long into each evening at Into the Beach, the Evason Resort's seaside party venue. The Evason provided delicious buffet dinners and cocktail snacks that were most appreciated by hard-working crews and spectators alike. Co-sponsor Fosters provided cold beer for all presentation evenings andparties to celebrate opening night, mid-week race point and the grand finale.

The regatta sailed smoothly, with both racing and evening events enjoyed by all. Andy Dowden, director of event organizer Image Asia, has confirmed that the regatta will return to Phuket in 2005. Feedback from race participants indicated that next year's regatta will be reduced from a six-to a four-day event over a long weekend.

Provisional dates for the 2005 Phuket Race Week are 28- 31 July.