PHUKET: More than 30 sailing yachts and 250 competitors arrive in Phuket today to join this years Bay Regatta March 4-8, 2015.
Unlike most other sailing regattas, this event takes the fleet from Phuket, through the spectacular scenery of Phang Nga Bay to a new anchorage each evening, holding awards parties in a wide variety of different locations.
The event attracts a number of first time racers joining just for the experience of sailing through some of the world's most amazing maritime scenery, with overnight anchorages selected to allow the participants to have the choice to sleep on their boats or ashore at local resorts.
Often billed as 'Asia's fun regatta,' the hallmark of this event is the casual, fun-filled atmosphere with many families and faces familiar to the Phuket yachting scene returning to the race course, preferring the regattas more relaxed approach to racing for the four-day adventure.
Despite the relaxed atmosphere, yachts are divided into 4 main classes based on their designs. The ''Racing'' class sees many new entries this year with teams travelling from Australia, Singapore, Russia and Malaysia to challenge defending champions Evgenil Nikiforov on 'First'.
After a number of last minutes cancellations in the bareboat charter class, cruising and charter yachts will be merged into 2 divisions and sees return of last years Cruising B winner Kevin Gillow to defend his titles.
The largest class of the regatta is the Multihull Class consisting of 10 yachts out to challenge 2014 champions, John Newnham's 'Twin Sharks'.
The 2015 competition starts March 4 with registration and the opening party held at the Chandara Resort and Spa, Ao Po on the north East of Phuket.
The first race day (5th) heads out from Ao Po and races north to the top of Phang Nga Bay, past the famous ramparts of Ko Phanak, the Ko Hong group of islands and James Bond Island. Crossing the bay, ending the day, for a presentation evening under the stars at one of the area's unique island hideaway's the Paradise, Ko Yao.
The second race day (6th) will see the fleet running through the many secluded islands of the Ko Pak Bia group before heading south towards Leam Tong on the North Point of Phi Phi Island, for a beach party and prize giving at P.P Erawan Palms Resort.
Following a successful return to Phi Phi Island in 2014, Day three (7th), is an opportunity for the yachts to race in classic blue water around the stunning islands of Ko Mai Phi (Bamboo Island) and Ko Yung (Moskitto Island) before racing along the east coast of Phi Phi Don, rounding Ko Bida and returning past Phi Phi Le to finish in Ton Sai Bay for a presentation Party at the Arayaburi Resort.
The final day (8th) sees an early start off Tonsai Bay with a spectacular ''Spinnaker'' start for the traditional downwind sprint to Phuket's all year anchorage of Ao Chalong.
The last night closing party will be held at the O2 Beach Club, Ao Chalong and will include live music, a buffet dinner and presentation of the overall prizes by the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Wednesday March 4 Registration from noon till 1730 at Ao Po followed by the Opening Party starting at 1800 hrs.
Thursday March 5 Race Day 1.
Party and presentations at the Paradise Koh Yao.
Starting at 1800 hrs.
Friday March 6 Race Day 2. Sponsored by Jungceylon.
Party and presentations at PP. Erawan Palms Resort, Leam Tong, Phi Phi.
Saturday February 7 Race Day 3.
Party and presentations at Arayaburi and Phi Phi Bay View Resort
Sunday February 8 Race Day 4.
Party and presentations at O2 Beach Club, Ao Chalong. starting at 19.00 hrs.
The Regatta is organised by Regattas Asia under the auspices of the Ao Chalong Yacht Club. The event is supported by the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand and the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Host Sponsors: Chandara Resort and Spa, Paradise Koh Yao, P.P Erawan Palms Resort, Arayaburi Resort, Bay View Resort, O2 Beach Club.
Regatta Partners: Asahi, Asia Catamarans, Haadthip, Jungceylon, Mont Clair, Neil Pryde, Singha Light and The Mangosteen Resort.
Local Supporters: Electrical Marine, B&G, Canvas Creations, Octopus Marine, SY Seraph, Krabi Boat Lagoon, Phuket Boat Lagoon, Quantum Sails.
Media Partners: Phuket Magazine, SEA Yachting.
Unlike most other sailing regattas, this event takes the fleet from Phuket, through the spectacular scenery of Phang Nga Bay to a new anchorage each evening, holding awards parties in a wide variety of different locations.
The event attracts a number of first time racers joining just for the experience of sailing through some of the world's most amazing maritime scenery, with overnight anchorages selected to allow the participants to have the choice to sleep on their boats or ashore at local resorts.
Often billed as 'Asia's fun regatta,' the hallmark of this event is the casual, fun-filled atmosphere with many families and faces familiar to the Phuket yachting scene returning to the race course, preferring the regattas more relaxed approach to racing for the four-day adventure.
Despite the relaxed atmosphere, yachts are divided into 4 main classes based on their designs. The ''Racing'' class sees many new entries this year with teams travelling from Australia, Singapore, Russia and Malaysia to challenge defending champions Evgenil Nikiforov on 'First'.
After a number of last minutes cancellations in the bareboat charter class, cruising and charter yachts will be merged into 2 divisions and sees return of last years Cruising B winner Kevin Gillow to defend his titles.
The largest class of the regatta is the Multihull Class consisting of 10 yachts out to challenge 2014 champions, John Newnham's 'Twin Sharks'.
The 2015 competition starts March 4 with registration and the opening party held at the Chandara Resort and Spa, Ao Po on the north East of Phuket.
The first race day (5th) heads out from Ao Po and races north to the top of Phang Nga Bay, past the famous ramparts of Ko Phanak, the Ko Hong group of islands and James Bond Island. Crossing the bay, ending the day, for a presentation evening under the stars at one of the area's unique island hideaway's the Paradise, Ko Yao.
The second race day (6th) will see the fleet running through the many secluded islands of the Ko Pak Bia group before heading south towards Leam Tong on the North Point of Phi Phi Island, for a beach party and prize giving at P.P Erawan Palms Resort.
Following a successful return to Phi Phi Island in 2014, Day three (7th), is an opportunity for the yachts to race in classic blue water around the stunning islands of Ko Mai Phi (Bamboo Island) and Ko Yung (Moskitto Island) before racing along the east coast of Phi Phi Don, rounding Ko Bida and returning past Phi Phi Le to finish in Ton Sai Bay for a presentation Party at the Arayaburi Resort.
The final day (8th) sees an early start off Tonsai Bay with a spectacular ''Spinnaker'' start for the traditional downwind sprint to Phuket's all year anchorage of Ao Chalong.
The last night closing party will be held at the O2 Beach Club, Ao Chalong and will include live music, a buffet dinner and presentation of the overall prizes by the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
2015 Regatta Program
Wednesday March 4 Registration from noon till 1730 at Ao Po followed by the Opening Party starting at 1800 hrs.
Thursday March 5 Race Day 1.
Party and presentations at the Paradise Koh Yao.
Starting at 1800 hrs.
Friday March 6 Race Day 2. Sponsored by Jungceylon.
Party and presentations at PP. Erawan Palms Resort, Leam Tong, Phi Phi.
Saturday February 7 Race Day 3.
Party and presentations at Arayaburi and Phi Phi Bay View Resort
Sunday February 8 Race Day 4.
Party and presentations at O2 Beach Club, Ao Chalong. starting at 19.00 hrs.
The Regatta is organised by Regattas Asia under the auspices of the Ao Chalong Yacht Club. The event is supported by the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand and the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Host Sponsors: Chandara Resort and Spa, Paradise Koh Yao, P.P Erawan Palms Resort, Arayaburi Resort, Bay View Resort, O2 Beach Club.
Regatta Partners: Asahi, Asia Catamarans, Haadthip, Jungceylon, Mont Clair, Neil Pryde, Singha Light and The Mangosteen Resort.
Local Supporters: Electrical Marine, B&G, Canvas Creations, Octopus Marine, SY Seraph, Krabi Boat Lagoon, Phuket Boat Lagoon, Quantum Sails.
Media Partners: Phuket Magazine, SEA Yachting.
