200 sailors for regatta in Hua Hin

More than 200 sailors will test their mettle in the Hua Hin Regatta, where an estimated 70 boats will take to the seas off the Hua Hin Naval Yacht Club from August 5-7, making it the second-biggest sailing regatta in Thailand after the Phuket King's Cup.Also starting tomorrow will be Phuket Raceweek, with more than 30 boats entered in only the second year of the event.

The Hua Hin Regatta, run by the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand (YRAT) with help from the Royal Thai Navy and the Hua Hin provincial authorities, is held over five days to commemorate His Majesty the King's success at the SEAP Games on December 16, 1966, when he won the gold medal in the OK Dinghy event.

Governed by international sailing rules, the event features eight categories - Optimist, OK Dinghy, single-handed Laser, two-man mono-hull 420 (men's and women's), 470 (men's and women's), Fireball, Enterprise and Platu.

The top three in all categories from August 5-6 will each receive a model sailing boat, while the winner of the long-course Open class on August 7 will be awarded the Perpetual Vega Rudder Royal Trophy.

Rear Admiral Apiwat Srivardhana, secretary-general of the YRAT, said yesterday that sailors from Australia, Hong Kong and Burma will take part in the three-day race, while more are expected from England, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore.

"This year, Thailand will be sending a full team to the SEA Games in the Philippines. The regatta should serve as a tune-up for them," he said. "Sutee Poonpat, who won last year's Fireball title, will be back to defend his crown in the long-distance course, where he landed the prestigious Perpetual Vega Rudder Royal Trophy.

"In the long-distance course, sailors have to cover 27 nautical miles from the yacht club past several beautiful islands such as Hin Sao, Koh Sadao and Koh Khi Nok. The start is at 8am, while the last boat to sail home is expected at 4pm. Although our tournament is still second to the Phuket King's Cup Regatta, we are happy that the number of participating sailors is markedly increasing ," Apiwat said.
Nation 28 July 2005 www.nationmultimedia.com