A WESTERLY that vented its fury on the fleet is being blamed for the Phuket King's Cup Regatta rout that led to 10 boats being beached and the cancellation of racing for the first time in history.

''Boats have been driven aground before,'' said Phuket regatta spokesman Duncan Worthington today. ''But it's the first time that so many boats have been beached, and that racing has not gone ahead.''

Phuket's monsoon weather has usually blown away before December and the island's sailors have often been left to wish for stronger winds at this time of the year.

But not in 2010, with one of the largest ever fleets of more than 100 yachts assembled off Phuket and racing all week in Asia's premier sailing event.

A large Marine Police vessel was standing by off Kata, aiming to pull some vessels out to sea as soon as possible today. Crews struggled in the surf to make the most of the mayhem.

It is hoped the yachts will be free by the time this evening's high tide sweeps in. Three King's Cup series winners, Miss Saigon, Ichi Ban and Team Sea Bees, were among those that broke loose in the early hours. All were swept onto the beach.

Mr Worthington said that regatta director Simon James and his team had been on Kata beach since 2am, seeking to help attempts to refloat the stricken vessels

Miss Saigon's mooring was thought to have been hit by an out-of-control yacht and the line cut.