Phuket King's Cup Regatta

Asia’s most prestigious regatta, the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta is not only a sporting contest but also a big social event and furthermore the biggest keel boat Regatta in Asia with over 90 boats and 2000 participants each year. The race is held every year during the first week of December, and from the very beginning, international participation was rather impressive and grew over the years. It is viewed by many as the jewel in the crown of the Asian Yachting Circuit, a circuit of the leading regattas in Asia.

Inaugurated in 1987, the regatta was held to celebrate the 60th birthday of HM the King of Thailand. With His Majesty’s Royal Patronage, every year the Regatta is organized by the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta Organizing Committee under the auspices of the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, in association with the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, the Royal Thai Navy and the Province of Phuket.

The King’s Cup Regatta draws many sailors from all over the world with crews flying in from Asian countries which emerged from former British colonies because of their long-standing regatta tradition as well as a number of teams from the UK. Over the years more and more sailors from Australia, New Zealand and Europe have also entered the race. In recent years the number of crews from Russia and Germany has increased dramatically. In 2005 for the first time, a crew from China took part in the event with rather amazing results which were replicated in 2011.

Event website: www.kingscup.com