First held in 1987, the event was held in celebration of the Monarch of Thailand’s 60th birthday. Over the years, the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta has grown in size and scale to develop into the largest and most popular sailing event in all of Asia. Founded by the Royal Varuna Yacht Club with the patronage of the King of Thailand, the regatta is organized in association with the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, the Royal Thai Navy, and the Province of Phuket.
With humble beginning as a regatta that attracted catamarans, keelboats, windsurfers and Lasers the annual event held in the beginning of December has converted into a large-scale boating festival that draws sea-faring catamaran teams and keelboats from across the world. A highly anticipated sailing contest in the Asian Yachting Circuit, the event features over 2000 sailors and more than 90 boats which range from live-aboard ocean cruisers, the racing classes, multihulls, classics and Formula One boats of the ocean lanes.
Famed as the Asian regatta where Scott McCook won all five races on his catamaran from Singapore the event has developed its own folk lore and legendary status in regional racing circuits. In addition to world–class races the regatta also hosts other events such as vibrant beach parties during the week long yacht racing occasion.
Another highlights of the regatta held on Kata Beach every year is the candle-light ceremony conducted in front of the Boathouse Resort in honour of the monarch’s birthday. With the attendance of over 1000 skippers and crew members the unique occasion sees the participants hold up candles as a choir belts out the Thai national anthem.
Conducted on the cobalt waters of the Andaman Sea this year’s instalment of the regatta is set to kick off on the 3rd of December. The first day of the cup will see the officials performing registration and measurement processes of the participating vessels while the second day will encompass a vibrant opening ceremony followed by a skippers briefing and a practice race. It is on the 5th of December that the races truly set sail in to open waters in a contest of wits and skill like no other. After four exciting days of racing the final day of the regatta which falls on the 10th of December this year will see the winner crowned at the Royal Awards Ceremony.
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