For the first time since 1997, the King's Cup Regatta will this year make its return to the tropical island paradise that is Koh Phi Phi, situated to the south of majestic Phang Nga Bay and to the southeast of Phuket. the 2002 race committee are tempting sailors with a spectacular spinnaker start between the islands of Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le for the first day of racing. Without a doubt this is one of the most picturesque sailing backdrops of all time.

The scenery is not all that is changing this season, what with the introduction of a couple of new divisions in the racing format. Beach catamarans and sports boats have been introduced, with Hobie Australia sending 11 brand- new Hobie 16s to compete on their way to an international Hobie Regatta in the Philippines early next year. The introduction of these classes will increase the size of the regatta’s fleet quite significantly, and the committee this year are expecting a record number of competitors — at least 100 vessels.

1. Pasaya — Farr 40

Class: Racing

Definitely the boat to watch in this year’s racing class, Pasaya, a 2002 Farr 40, was launched by the DK Composites’ yards in Malacca earlier this year. Purchased solely with the intention of taking first- place racing honours in the King’s Cup, this is her first major regatta, and the owners are taking no chances. Local Platu match racing and fleet racing champion Jaray Thipsuk has been given the role of skippering the new boat, and we could well see for the first time a Thai-owned and sailed yacht taking the regatta’s top prize.

2. Hi Fidelity — Welborne 46

Class: Racing

Owner/skipper Neil Pryde from Hong Kong will be back in force this year after winning every major Asian regatta in the 2001 season. Current King’s Cup champion, Hi Fidelity has undergone a major rebuild this year at the DK Yachts facility in Malaysia. His old Bashford 46 has had a complete face-lift, and is now sporting an all-carbon, Welborne-designed hull, keel and rudder. With the weight of the boat significantly reduced, and the skilful handling of one of the region’s most competitive sailors, Hi Fidelity is going to be a very hard boat to beat in 2002.

Other yachts to keep an eye on in racing division will include Keith Moore’s Farr 40 Pla Loma, which captured second place last year; Frank Pong’s big Wylie 77 sled Jelik, from Hong Kong; and King’s Cup veteran Stella, owned by Fred Kinmouth.

3. Hocux Pocux — X-482

Class: Premier Cruising

David Bailey returns to the fleet, after a one-year hiatus, aboard his well-known X-Yacht Hocux Pocux. With a fifth her best placing to date, she’s yet to prove herself at this regatta. However, Bailey has this year put together the same crew who helped him take home the Phang Nga Bay Regatta trophy back in February. Coupled with a new sail wardrobe and a swag of local knowledge, Hocux Pocux, due to her ability to sail consistently well in both light and heavy conditions, is sure to be among the front runners.

4. Yendys — Beneteau 45 F5

Class: Premier Cruising

Last year’s Premier Cruising winner Yendys (Sydney spelt backwards) made a big impression at the 2001 meet, by battling it out all week with the likes of David Kong’s X-612 Hocux Pocux 2 and the beautiful Swan 80 Malagaya from the Philippines. Showing her strength in light airs, Yendys went on to take the class trophy and prove to all she is a force to be reckoned with. Owner Richard Grime’s will be back to defend his hard-fought title in what is shaping up to be one of the most competitive classes of the regatta

5. Stormvögel — Van de Stadt 73 (1961)

Class: Premier Cruising

It wouldn’t be a pre-race round up without the inclusion of Ermano Traverso’s Stormvögel receiving a mention. Once again Ermano and his regular Italian crew will be here, and this year they will be accompanied by a French film crew from European cable TV show “Sail TV”. Current holder of the Andaman Sea Race record, Stormvögel is an extremely fast boat in her class, and one of the most beautiful yachts to watch as she moves through the water. Photographers will no doubt be chasing her around the Phi Phi islands in the first couple of days trying to capture some images of the fleet’s sexiest entrant.

6. La Samudra — Swan 42

Class: Cruising

First-place finishes in both 1996 and 1997 are testimony to this yacht’s fine pedigree. She returned to the fray last year after a two-year stint in Europe, where she took part in the Swan World Championships. Word around the town this year is owner David Lindhal has handed the helmsman’s job over to experienced local sailor Rob Taylor. With Taylor at the helm together with the likes of other Phuket locals Tony Knight, Ian Coulsen and Gareth Twist on board, it would be hard to pick another boat that knows the local area and conditions as well as this crew. Guaranteed to be a podium finisher.

6. Big A — Swan 55

Class: Cruising

Owner Horst Lakits has been hard at it this year making numerous improvements to his Swan 55 Big A. Having been recently re-sprayed a deep red, the classic Swan characteristics are again apparent in this fast cruiser. Another sailor with more local knowledge than he lets on, Big A’s Lakits will be out to improve on last year’s third place in Cruising Class 1. Unable to dominate in the light conditions last year, the crew will be praying for a little more breeze than has been seen in recent years.

7. Securicor (Fine Pitch) — Echo 36 Trimaran

Class: Ocean Multihull

If ever there was a boat that could fly, this winged marvel would be it. It’s stealth-like design makes her practically unbeatable in breezes over 10 knots. Winner of King’s Cup trophies in 1998, 1999 and 2000, Securicor will be out to avenge her third place at last year’s Regatta. Skippered by Muzza Nordstrand and helmed by Scott Duncanson, the Securicor team will have to do something very wrong not to take home silverware this year. Major improvements have been undertaken by the original builder Claes Nilsen, including a rebuilt deck and new foils for the outer hulls, which should increase the boat’s lift and make her go even faster.

8. Summersalt — 36 ft Custom Catamaran

Class: Ocean Multihull

Owner/designer/builder Mark Pescott has long been recognized for his sleek, fast sailing catamarans, and his own boat Summersalt is no exception. Second placed at last year’s regatta with a Japanese crew, Summersalt has continued her aggressive racing form this year, winning the majority of her local races here in Phuket. Back for their sixth King’s Cup appearance, Mark and his crew will be looking to topple all who sail in their way. Incidentally, Chimera and Cerebus, two other Pescott-designed 38 ft multihulls (both built in Phuket by ACYC Commodore Mark Horwood), are set to join the fleet for 2002.

9. Classic Class

Always the hardest division in the regatta to pick a winner from, the Classic class is nevertheless one of the best races to watch, with lovely designs that have withstood the test of time. A true gentleman of the sea, Christopher Edwards, and his Bristol Channel Cutter Xiphius are always hard to beat, given his extensive sailing experience and aggressive start-line tactics. Another classic that the committee expect to see gracing the race course this year is Evaline, a beautiful gaff-rigged ketch.

10. Sportsboat Class

The latest addition to the racing format, the Sportsboat division, was born from the demise of the Platu 25 One Design Class. The Platus are not dead and buried, however, and there should be at least two competing in this year’s event. The man to watch for here will be Australian Alan Nichol. He’ll have his work cut out for him, though, what with Mark Jewell from Singapore and his boat The Dogs 2, a Raflex 28, which claimed first place in the Racing Class in last year’s BMW race. Still on the way from Australia at the time this edition was put to bed, two Duncanson-designed Phuket Sports 8s may also make it for the King’s Cup. They’ve been designed especially for Phuket conditions, and are being touted as the next big thing in small-yacht racing.