Phuket Kings Cup Provisional Program

28/11/09 - Registration and Measurement.
29/11/09 - Registration, Practice Race, Skippers Briefing, Opening Ceremony at Kata Beach Resort.
30/11/09 - Race Day One. Prize-giving at Katathani Beach Resort.
01/12/09 - Race Day Two. Prize-giving TBA.
02/12/09 - Race Day Three. Prize-giving at Phuket Orchid Resort.
03/12/09 - Reserve Day.
04/12/09 - Race Day Four. Prize-giving TBA.
05/12/09 - Race Day Five. Royal Awards Ceremony, Candle-light ceremony and Closing Party at Kata Beach Resort.

On our trips around the Marinas and boat yards, the Boatshedphuket boat sales staff have been seeing a lot of the local yacht racing fleet being lifted out for a bottom scrub and anti foul, in preparation for Thailand’s and indeed Asia’s biggest and best regatta.

Each year the Phuket King's Cup Regatta attracts a varied fleet from some of Asia's Grand Prix racers to global cruisers, and everything short and long in between. Here are just a few boats and classes to watch out for at the 2009 Regatta.

Racing Class

Often referred to as the Grand Prix class, this year the Racing Class is shaping up to be possible the most competitive ever seen in an Asian regatta. Strewth’s owner, Geoff Hill, is no newcomer to the Asian yachting scene. Having extensively campaigned his former Strewth (Lyons 49), Geoff has bought the increasingly popular TP52 design and is challenging for the Racing Class title this year. Challenging Strewth is likely to be Island Fling (TP52), Foxy Lady IV (TP52), Free Fire (TP52), Hi Fi (Welbourne 52), Jelik (Reichel Pugh 75), Mandrake (Mills 51), Tazo TOO (Farr 11) and 2008 winner Ray Roberts on his new-named yacht Evolutions Sails. News is coming in of a GP42 being shipped over from Europe to compete, and skippered by the Regatta's president Kevin Whitcraft. Watch this space.

Tazo TOO (Farr 11)
Built for speed and optimized to fly... well almost. At 36-foot, Tazo TOO is the second Farr 11 off the production line. Created by Farr Designs, the Farr11 is a very fast keelboat for its size, with a canting keel, twin rudders and an incredibly light weight. The Farr 11 utilizes the latest in racing technology developed for the Open 60 and Volvo 70 designs while crewed by only six or seven.

Ichi Ban (Beneteau 44.7)
Owned and skippered by Commodore of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Matt Allen, Ichi Ban is a relative newcomer to the Asian circuit and has been a popular (and successful) hit since her arrival. Having taken first at the 2008 Phuket King's Cup Regatta and first at the 2009 Top of the Gulf Regatta in IRC Class, Ichi Ban is returning to defend her crown amongst a growing and highly competitive IRC Class.

Tuay Lek (Platu)
Mathew Mee is a member of the Skandia Team GBR Development squad and is hoping to represent Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics, to be held in the United Kingdom, helming a 470. Considered by many to be the 'new Ben Ainslie', Olympic hopeful Mee and two team mates are joining two other friends to enter a Platu in the 2009 Phuket King's Cup Regatta.

Multihulls
The multihull classes are looking set to be highly competitive with a number of new entries and some long returning participants showing some great recent form.

Cedar Swan (Corsair)
Skippered by Radab Kanjanavanit, Cedar Swan is a long-time competitor in Thailand's regattas and has found recent form having won the 2008 Phuket King's Cup Regatta and the 2009 Top of the Gulf Regatta. Always a contender, Cedar Swan will be battling what's expected to be a large mutilhull fleet this year.

THOR (SeaCart 30)
THOR, skippered by Henry Kaye, took the win from Cedar Swan in the 2009 Samui Regatta and recently took second place at the 2009 Phuket Raceweek, and is looking to take the honors in her inaugural Phuket King's Cup Regatta.

DaVinci Nina (Andaman Cabriolet 38ft)
New launched DaVinci Nina hit the water literally a few days before the 2009 Phuket Raceweek and went on to take the Multihull Class title without barely breaking a sweat. Built in Phuket by Composite Catamarans, DaVinci Nina may have a sister ready in time for the King's Cup, and they are expected to set the pace and push Cedar Swan and Thor all the way.

Firefly 850s
The Australian-designed Phuket-built Firefly 850s are always a sight to behold on the water with their striking colours and graphics. And as a one-design class, they are highly competitive too. Regular challenger for the top places, SEA Property skippered by Peter Dyer, will be back to defend his 2008 Phuket King's Cup Regatta crown, and will be up against a fleet of highly-competitive Firefly's including recent 2009 Phuket Raceweek winner Han's Rahmann's Voodoo.

Modern Classic
A new class which according to Race Director Simon James, is 'to encourage the less young yachts who have sailed in many of the past regattas to rejoin the regatta.' Perennial participants Emerald Blue and Big A look set to face off against Peter Wood's Windstar. A good class turnout is expected.