Joint effort to support Thai sailing

In a move aimed at boosting the growing popularity of sailing events in Thailand, the organisers of the annual Phuket King's Cup Regatta - Asia's biggest yachting event - have pledged sponsorship support for Evason Phuket Raceweek, Thailand's only "green season" regatta.

Now in its second year, more than 30 yachts have so far entered this year's Evason Phuket Raceweek, which runs from July 28-31 off the Evason Phuket Resort. Holding the event in the "green season" means the fleet benefits from the strong south-west monsoon winds off Phuket's east coast at this time of year.

"We were delighted when the King's Cup committee told us they would support our event," said Grenville Fordham of Raceweek organisers Image Asia Events, himself a past King's Cup vice-president.

Fordham explained that the increasing number of regattas in Thailand should not see themselves as competitors, but rather as a way of promoting the fast growing yachting tourism in Thailand.

King's Cup support for the fledgling Evason Phuket Raceweek is particularly timely as Phuket is struggling to recover from last December's tsunami.

"This year's Phuket King's Cup Regatta will mark the full recovery of Phuket province and its Andaman coast from the tsunami damage last year, as well as demonstrate the growing yachting industry of Thailand," said King's Cup president Santi Kanchanabandhu.

Santi added that yacht racing in Thailand had developed from pure sport into a series of annual lifestyle events which attract the attention of a much broader audience than before, including an increasing number of Thai sailors.

This atmosphere of co-operation also has the backing of the government. Both the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) are now working on a combination of marketing and regulatory measures designed to substantially increase yachting tourism.

Entry to Evason Phuket Raceweek is open until 4.00pm on Wednesday, July 27. Racing is over six classes, including a Club Class ideal for the less serious or experienced sailors who want to give yacht racing a first try.

Those interested in competing can contact: raceweek@image-asia.com or visit www.phuketraceweek.com or phone race committee chairman Andy Dowden on +661 894 8122.
Nation 25 July 2005 www.nationmultimedia.com