Tasar event kicks off at Cape Panwa

The 13th edition of this biannual event takes place in Thailand for the first time, with the Australian Tasar Council (ATC) organising the top-flight tournament.

The seven-day contest has attracted more than 190 sailors from eight nations - Australia, Canada, England, Japan, Russia, South Africa, Thailand and the US - to vie for the top honour.

The two-person boat event includes the titleholders from Australia, Rob Douglass and his daughter Nicole, who admitted that the weather alone will make for tough races.

"The weather conditions here are really tricky," Rob Douglass said. "It's hard to predict what is going to happen. Sometimes the wind is light and it brings the fleet together. It will make the competition close as we can race in only the same speed.

"We think American Jonathan Mckee, who won the bronze medal at the Athens Olympic Games, and my compatriot, Brett Young, are our dangerous opponents. It will be a big challenge for us to beat them," said Douglass, who will defend his title with his 14-foot dinghy Chukkel.

Thai teams will contest for the first time in two foreign boats, Slipstream and Funny Look'n.

The meet features five age categories, from under 15s to Super Grand Masters.