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LAST UPDATE: Thursday October 23, 2003

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Asia's Premier Yachting Event
 

This is a fun, lifestyle regatta with a competitive edge that attracts the very best boats and yachtsmen from the entire region
Almost 100 boats compete each year, coming from Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, Philippines, Malaysia, and elsewhere, joining a local Thai fleet and many cruising yachts stopping over in Phuket

The annual Phuket King’s Cup Regatta is sailed in the first week of each December to honour the revered monarch of Thailand, King Bhumibol Adulyadej. This event has become the premier yachting event in Asia, attracting around 100 yachts each year for 6 days of racing. Every year boats converge on Phuket from Hong Kong, Philippines, Singapore, Australia and Malaysia. Yachts cruising through the region from distant countries also enter.

There are four other established regattas in Southeast Asia – in Hong Kong, Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia – though none approaches the King’s Cup in size or prestige. There is no prize money – just the honour or having one’s name etched onto the cup – but some entrants spend large sums bring their boats and crews to the event.

Despite the keen competition amongst perhaps 20 real contenders for the winning spot, the King’s Cup is regarded as a ‘lifestyle’ regatta. Phuket is too far from the international centres of yachting to attract the world’s top boats, and hi-tech supplies for such boats are far away too.

So the best yachtsmen from this region gather, happy to shed their business suits for a week and twitch their toes in the soft sands of the regatta’s many beach parties. Many a beer and bottle of wine is popped onboard before the finish line is crossed. Fun in the salt and sun is foremost on the majority of minds here.

In most years the regatta course includes legs into the spectacular Phi Phi Islands, or through the myriad beautiful islands of Krabi. Usually three or four of the five days’ racing are held off the Southwest coast of Phuket Island itself. In years 1998, 1999 and 2000 the official host of the event was Kata Beach Resort. PHUKET Magazine has been the official publication for the event for many years, putting out a special November edition which includes a 16 page programme of events and maps.

Notice of Race of Phuket King’s Cup Regatta

www.kingscup.com
A second regatta - this one even more relaxed and dedicated to fun – is held amongst the amazing limestone islands of Phang Nga Bay each Chinese New Year. This is the Phuket - Phang Nga – Krabi Regatta.