A strong contingent of Hong Kong and Singapore yachts will be joined by Thai-based racers from Phuket, Pattaya and Samui who enjoy the friendly rivalry that has been building up in the past few years as Thailand has become the centre of sailing in Asia.

Some of Asia's biggest and fastest yachts will be contesting the Koh Samui Regatta, including Sam Chan's 2004 regatta-winning 72-foot Ffree Fire, which should face strong competition from Frank Pong's 75-foot Jelik and Bill Bremner's smaller Foxy Lady.

However, they won't have it all their own way as joining the regatta for first time is Adam Wu's new 41.5-foot Konka Humingbird, which will be crewed by China Team members.

Expected to be right up with the front-runners is David Lindahl's La Samudra, which won top honours at the Top of the Gulf Regatta in Jomtien two weeks ago.

Bangkok-based Frenchman Pascal Leray will be sailing his yacht Hi Jinx in Samui after fine-tuning the boat at the Top of the Gulf Regatta, but expects some tough competition from David Pollard's Foreign Xchange 2.

There will also be a lot of interest in the multihull class for catamarans and trimarans. The multihull class is emerging as the biggest class racing at Thailand's major regattas as they are better suited to the tropical climate and double up as fast cruisers in a vibrant charter industry. Roger Kingdon's Moto Inzi and Damian Kimball's X-Ta-Sea are extremely fast Phuket-built Mark Pescott-designed Firefly catamarans that can't be seen for the spray when the wind picks up.

The Samui-built catamarans China House and Coco Blues have ruled the roost at past events, but may have their hands full against the trimarans of Henry Kaye's The Sting and Francesco Brancaccio's Vivace.

Local sailor Kirati Asakul's Sonic is always in with a chance and Kim Thomas' Pulsion 2 is new to the fold but very experienced in these waters. Martin Peter's Nok Talay may be out-classed in this field, but still likes to go along and enjoy the racing.

The action starts today off Chawang Beach and the final race will be held on Saturday. Thursday is a lay day.

Alan Parkhouse

The Nation