Thailand Sailing Regattas
With over 3,200 kilometers of coastline, 1,430 islands and warm tropical waters, Thailand is truly a sailor’s paradise, attracting thousands of international yachtsmen. To celebrate the nation’s affinity with yachting, a number of major Thailand sailing regattas are held on an annual basis. At these events Thai enthusiasts meet and mingle with people from all over the world to share their passion for sailing and compete against each other is an atmosphere of friendly rivalry. Overseas visitors are often struck by the enthusiasm of Thais for the sport and the friendly welcome with which they are received.
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A Guide to Thailand Sailing Regattas In this guide to Thailand’s sailing regattas, we give approximate times of the year at which the events take place. Please check for exact dates on an annual basis. Phang Nga Regatta-Chinese New Year The Phang Nga Bay Regatta is truly a celebration as it is scheduled to coincide with Chinese New Year, an event which is celebrated with great enthusiasm across Thailand. The Phang Nga Bay Regatta is organized by the Ao Chalong Yacht Club and is renowned for attracting both competitive sailors alongside more social sailing fans. This gives the event a unique character with fiercely contested races alongside a party atmosphere. The scenery of Phang Nga Bay, immortalised in the James Bond Film the ‘Man with the Golden Gun’, is truly spectacular and the regatta makes full use of this by choosing a different anchorage every night. {timg title:=”Phuket Ragattas” thumb:=”images/stories/srv/blog/small/pnb2012_day2_rolien.jpg” img:=”images/stories/srv/blog/big/pnb2012_day2_rolien.jpg” gal:=”gallery-content”} Top of the Gulf Regatta – Pattaya – beginning May The Top of the Gulf Regatta takes place in the waters of Jomtien and Pattaya and is Asia’s biggest multi-class sailing regatta. This well-established event is organised by Ocean Marina Yacht Club and regularly attracts over 300 competing sailors racing everything from windsurfers to multi hulls and keelboats. The showpiece event is the Coronation Cup, one of Thailand’s most prestigious sailing trophies which every year is witness to intense competition between world class sailors. Koh Samui International Regatta –end May/beginning June The Koh Samui International Regatta has become a mainstay of the Asian sailing calendar having been established for 10 years. The Samui Regatta has a reputation for being friendly and fun and though the sailing is always competitive, out of the water there is always a friendly and social atmosphere. |
Phuket Multihull Championship – Mid July The Phuket Multihull Championship is another event organised by the Ao Chalong Yacht Club and in just five years has grown into Asia’s biggest multihull regatta. In 2011, over 20 boats took part in three days of exciting racing. The Multihull Championship immediately precedes Phuket Race Week and many of the entrants take part in both regattas. {timg title:=”Phuket Ragattas” thumb:=”images/stories/srv/blog/small/phuket-e-magazine_phuket-kings-cup-regatta-2010.jpg” img:=”images/stories/srv/blog/big/phuket-e-magazine_phuket-kings-cup-regatta-2010.jpg” gal:=”gallery-content”} Phuket Race Week – Mid July At the Asia Boating Awards 2011, Phuket Race Week was voted ‘Regatta of the Year’ which is an indication of the importance that this regatta has assumed in Thailand’s sailing calendar. The regatta, which attracts international television coverage, is lavishly sponsored by the Cape Panwa Hotel which throws parties which have assumed legendary status in the sailing fraternity. The racing is divided into half a dozen classes organised to suit sailors of all levels – from ultra-competitive professionals to social sailors looking to enjoy the flavor of an international regatta. Given the enthusiastic support, Phuket Race Week looks set to continue to grow and attract more participants in the coming years. King’s Cup Regatta – Phuket – beginning December The King’s Cup Regatta is the most established event in Thailand’s sailing calendar and is considered by many to be Asia’s premier yachting event. In 2012, the King’s Cup will be celebrating its Silver Jubilee and 25 years of spectacular racing. The event takes place every year in early December and coincides with the birthday of His Majesty the King. The regatta embraces multiple classes of craft from dingies up to the big ocean going multihulls and keelboats. It attracts a big international contingent, not just from across Asia, but the Antipodes and Europe. |
