• 
• 

Published on November 1, 2007

Last year the annual competition, inaugurated in 1987, saw a record of over 100 yachts participating.

The regatta, which will be held between December 1 and 8, may not have the reputation of other big events, but what makes it enticing is the variety it provides, not to mention the thrill of the race.

"We're expecting a strong racing class again this year with Hong Kong entries Nick Burns and Fred Kinmonth sailing Mandrake, Sam Chang's TP52 Freefire, Frank Pong's Jelik and Neil Pryde's re-designed Hi-Fi already confirmed," said Santi Kanchanabandhu, president of the organising committee.

They will be joined by the newly launched DK46 from Port Dixon and South African Philipp Gutsche's new yacht, commissioned especially for this year's event.

"Gutsche and his crew won the Mauritius to Durban race last year. He has also won the South Atlantic Race in the past. So, a thrilling race is expected," said Simon James, the regatta race management director.

The Royal Thai Navy team tops the impressive list of host boats. Lieutenant Pornprom Sakultem at the helm of RTN 1 will compete in the IRC Division 2 where he has won the title five years on the trot.

With most familiar faces likely to return, one that will be unable to join the reunion this year is American Jim Stoll, of the classic boat Argo, who is disappointed at missing the event this time.

"My boat travels around the world to compete in events. The Phuket regatta is more a social event than a race as it brings people around the world together to interact. I always have a great time there," said Stoll, whose yacht is now sailing off Morocco.

Kitinan Sanguansak

 The Nation