Veteran yacht racers describe Six Sense Phuket Raceweek as one of the most exciting regattas in Southeast Asia. Every year, Phuket plays host to four engaging days of yacht racing made all the more entertaining by the unpredictable nature of the Phuket weather during monsoon season.
The regatta attracts crews from around the world, who do battle across a range of racing classes. This year’s Phuket Raceweek (July 23 to 27) was one of the best ever, with a record number of pre-event entries. About 50 boats and their crews were on the start line on July 24.
Now in its fifth year, Phuket Raceweek broke new ground in 2008, with increased funding meaning that the famous nightly parties received the five-star treatment.
Phuket Raceweek 2008 was broadcast around the world on a variety of high-profile television channels, including CNN Mainsail, Eurosport, Star Sports and the European Sailing Channel.
The Sports Boat Class saw a bevy of titans of the sea facing off for the coveted title. Scott Duncanson’s Somtam Express is a familiar sight at regattas around the Andaman region, but stiff competition came from the likes of Kipsan Beck on Pornstar and Mick Grover on Moonshadow. Hoping for some home-turf glory was Mike Downard on Tua Lek.
In the IRC class, Peter Ahern made the trip from Perth to pit Yo!2 against Stuart Williamson on Endeavour of Whitby and Antony Hastings’s Baby Tonga 99 Degrees East.
Meanwhile, the Multihulls shaped up to be one of the hottest competitions, with as many as 15 boats up for the challenge, including Neil Ayre’s Shanghai Baby and Richard Simpson’s Dingo.
Some of Phuket’s most well-known boats did battle in the Firefly class. There was some competitive action from Roger Kingdon on Moto Inzi, Chris Jongerius on The Frog and Henry Kaye on Mamba.
Andy Dowden was the familiar face who once again chaired the race committee, while Simon James had the honor of overseeing the racing as the principal race officer. Mark Pryke was back as the jury chairman, with assistance coming from Rut Subniran and Admiral Prasart Sribhadung.
Phuket Raceweek is a highlight on the Phuket calendar, not only for the great racing, but also for the lively parties that take place every night.
For more information about Phuket Raceweek visit www.phuketraceweek.com
By MC for Prestige
