Gearing up for the 26th King´s Cup Regatta in Phuket, Thailand

USPA NEWS - One of the longest running international regattas in Thailand is getting ready. Founded in 1987 the Phuket King´s Cup is renowned as Asia´s major boat and yacht regatta with nearly 2,000 sailors coming to Phuket every year.

This years 26th event will be held from 1 to 8 December 2012, as always, in Phuket. In previous years the event attracted over 1,000 sailors from more than 35 countries and there is no end to its expansion. Sailing boats and yachts are starting to arrive from all over SE-Asia which usually boost the local economy and generates several million Baht revenue. In addition to the regular holiday makers, the regatta brings sports tourists who usually come before the event and stay after the event is over. This offers increased profits for Phuket hotels and restaurants which benefit from an upswing in business before, during and after the regatta.

Phuket King´s Cup Regatta is intensely supported by Phuket Provinces´ local authorities. Together with the regatta committee and the organizers they help make the regatta a great success for the island every year.

The King´s Cup Regatta was founded in 1987 to honor His Majesty the Thai King´s 60th birthday or Fifth Cycle on December 5. Founding members where Royal Varuna sailors and it was Phukets sailing enthusisast M.L. Tridosyuth Devakul, a prominent developer and architect Mom Tri who placed his newly opened Phuket Yacht Club Hotel at Nai Harn Bay at the regatta organizers disposal.

The first regatta started with a mix of catamarans, lasers, keelboats and windsurfers. But as any popular yacht racing event the Phuket King´s Cup Regatta has developed into an internationally recognized event drawing keelboats and ocean-going catamaran, cruiser and classic teams from around the globe. Each year the Regatta features more than 90 boats with a record of 103 in 2007, and around 2,000 sailors coming to Phuket for the event.

Exciting parties in high end Hotels on most nights, as well as a race management of international-standard, make this world-renowned yacht racing event so popular.

Organized by the Phuket King´s Cup Regatta Organizing Committee under the patronage of the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, together with the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, the Royal Thai Navy and the Province of Phuket the Regatta runs under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand.