PHUKET: With less than a week to the start of this year's Bay Regatta (February 12-16), the entry list is growing daily with over 32 yachts currently entered, many joining the event for the first time.
The Racing Class will be headed by the largest monohull yacht on the course - first time entrant, X-Yacht X-55 - Pine Pacific, helmed by Khun Ichinai Yingsiri (THA). He will be closely chased by Denis Logutenko's First 40, No Applause (RUS) and Andrey Arbuzov's chartered Young 11, Ruby Tuesday (RUS).
Cruising Yachts are divided into 2 divisions, Cruising A will see the renewed rivalry between two past champions, Niels Degenkolw (DEN) the 3/4 tonner Phoenix and Jim Ellis (CAN) on his S&S Galatea Remington.
They will be challenged by recent Langkawi Regatta class winner Elena, helmed by Somov Vaycheslav (RUS) and a fleet of potential dragon slayers waiting to take the 2014 title.
Cruising B, sees the return of many regulars including Bill Crump's Tayana 55 - Fistral, Gavin Welman's Halberg Rassey 53 - Rascal and Kevan & Sheila Perrins on their Oyster 435 - Rusalka, who will all be racing under the new NHC performance handicap system which was recently debuted at the Langkawi International Regatta.
The six boat, Bareboat class is dominated by Russian teams with five teams racing on yachts provided by Phuket based charter specialist Elite Yachting.
The Multihull Class, sees the Asian debut of Adrenaline, recently called ''one of the most interesting trimarans ever built,'' this record breaking Formulae 40 Trimaran is now based in Phuket and sailed by a veteran team from Ao Chalong Yacht Club.
They will be closely chased by a fleet of competitive catamarans including last year's runners up - Peter Wilcox's Mojo, Phuket-based multihull designer Alan Carwadine on Hurricane and the ever present Henry Kaye on his Seacart 26 Turbo, Sweet Chariot.
Now in its 17th year, often billed ''Asia's fun regatta.'' the hallmark of this event is a casual, fun-filled atmosphere.
Many families and friends join together to sail the four-day event and while the sailing is serious for many racing class yachts, a large number of cruisers join for the experience of sailing through some of the world's most amazing maritime scenery.
The Return to Phi Phi
Following its course through the provinces of Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi, this years regatta returns to Phi Phi. Once, the regular venue for the Phuket King's Cup Regatta, this will be the first time a regatta has returned to Tonsai Bay since 2001.
Speaking about the return to Phi Phi, Simon James, Race Director of The Bay Regatta said: ''For 14 years, Tonsai Bay was a traditional stop-over for the Phuket King's Cup Regatta with photographs of the exciting starts between the two Phi-Phi Islands being seen throughout the world. Every year I'm asked 'when can we go back ? So here we are . . .''
''Phi Phi is now busier with many day trip boats and ferries now gracing the once deserted anchorage, but we are delighted that Khun Lek from Arayaburi Boutique Resort has invited us back and many sailors cannot wait to return to see their old friends in Tonsai Bay.''
With four days of racing and five days of partying, the regatta crosses the three provinces of Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi, is surely one of the most scenic regattas on the Asian racing calendar and always lives up to its reputation as the FUN Regatta.
Program for The Bay Regatta 2014:
February 12
Registration and Opening Party - Chandara Resort and Spa, Ao Po
February 13
Race 1 - Ao Po to Koh Yao Noi
Presentation Party - The Paradise Resort and Spa, Koh Yao Noi.
February 14
Race 2 - Koh Yao Noi to Krabi - Presented by the Tourism Authority of Thailand
Free Night in Krabi.
February 15
Race 3 - Krabi to Phi Phi Don
Presentation Party - Arayaburi Boutique Resort Phi Phi.
February 16
Race 4 - The Ao Chalong Yacht Club Phi Phi - Ao Chalong Race
Presentation Party - O2 Beach Club, Ao Chalong.
About The Bay Regatta:
The Regatta is organised by Regattas Asia under the auspices of the Ao Chalong Yacht Club in conjunction with the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, Sports Authority of Thailand, the Province of Phuket, the Province of Phang Nga and Province of Krabi.
Media Partners include SEA Yachting, The Phuket News and The Phuket Gazette.
The Racing Class will be headed by the largest monohull yacht on the course - first time entrant, X-Yacht X-55 - Pine Pacific, helmed by Khun Ichinai Yingsiri (THA). He will be closely chased by Denis Logutenko's First 40, No Applause (RUS) and Andrey Arbuzov's chartered Young 11, Ruby Tuesday (RUS).
Cruising Yachts are divided into 2 divisions, Cruising A will see the renewed rivalry between two past champions, Niels Degenkolw (DEN) the 3/4 tonner Phoenix and Jim Ellis (CAN) on his S&S Galatea Remington.
They will be challenged by recent Langkawi Regatta class winner Elena, helmed by Somov Vaycheslav (RUS) and a fleet of potential dragon slayers waiting to take the 2014 title.
Cruising B, sees the return of many regulars including Bill Crump's Tayana 55 - Fistral, Gavin Welman's Halberg Rassey 53 - Rascal and Kevan & Sheila Perrins on their Oyster 435 - Rusalka, who will all be racing under the new NHC performance handicap system which was recently debuted at the Langkawi International Regatta.
The six boat, Bareboat class is dominated by Russian teams with five teams racing on yachts provided by Phuket based charter specialist Elite Yachting.
The Multihull Class, sees the Asian debut of Adrenaline, recently called ''one of the most interesting trimarans ever built,'' this record breaking Formulae 40 Trimaran is now based in Phuket and sailed by a veteran team from Ao Chalong Yacht Club.
They will be closely chased by a fleet of competitive catamarans including last year's runners up - Peter Wilcox's Mojo, Phuket-based multihull designer Alan Carwadine on Hurricane and the ever present Henry Kaye on his Seacart 26 Turbo, Sweet Chariot.
Now in its 17th year, often billed ''Asia's fun regatta.'' the hallmark of this event is a casual, fun-filled atmosphere.
Many families and friends join together to sail the four-day event and while the sailing is serious for many racing class yachts, a large number of cruisers join for the experience of sailing through some of the world's most amazing maritime scenery.
The Return to Phi Phi
Following its course through the provinces of Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi, this years regatta returns to Phi Phi. Once, the regular venue for the Phuket King's Cup Regatta, this will be the first time a regatta has returned to Tonsai Bay since 2001.
Speaking about the return to Phi Phi, Simon James, Race Director of The Bay Regatta said: ''For 14 years, Tonsai Bay was a traditional stop-over for the Phuket King's Cup Regatta with photographs of the exciting starts between the two Phi-Phi Islands being seen throughout the world. Every year I'm asked 'when can we go back ? So here we are . . .''
''Phi Phi is now busier with many day trip boats and ferries now gracing the once deserted anchorage, but we are delighted that Khun Lek from Arayaburi Boutique Resort has invited us back and many sailors cannot wait to return to see their old friends in Tonsai Bay.''
With four days of racing and five days of partying, the regatta crosses the three provinces of Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi, is surely one of the most scenic regattas on the Asian racing calendar and always lives up to its reputation as the FUN Regatta.
Program for The Bay Regatta 2014:
February 12
Registration and Opening Party - Chandara Resort and Spa, Ao Po
February 13
Race 1 - Ao Po to Koh Yao Noi
Presentation Party - The Paradise Resort and Spa, Koh Yao Noi.
February 14
Race 2 - Koh Yao Noi to Krabi - Presented by the Tourism Authority of Thailand
Free Night in Krabi.
February 15
Race 3 - Krabi to Phi Phi Don
Presentation Party - Arayaburi Boutique Resort Phi Phi.
February 16
Race 4 - The Ao Chalong Yacht Club Phi Phi - Ao Chalong Race
Presentation Party - O2 Beach Club, Ao Chalong.
About The Bay Regatta:
The Regatta is organised by Regattas Asia under the auspices of the Ao Chalong Yacht Club in conjunction with the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, Sports Authority of Thailand, the Province of Phuket, the Province of Phang Nga and Province of Krabi.
Media Partners include SEA Yachting, The Phuket News and The Phuket Gazette.
