King's Cup Phuket

After two years away, the Phuket King's Cup regatta goes back to the dramatic scenery of Koh Phi Phi - scenery that made the regatta famous - for the start of 2002's racing. Traditionally the regatta, to be held this year from 30 November to 7 December, has either started in Koh Phi Phi or found its way there during the week.

A number of reasons kept the regatta at Kata Beach Resort, in the south of Phuket Island, for the last two years, but this year the organising committee has decided it is time for a change. "It will mean a lot more work for everyone," said new King's Cup president, Andy Dowden, "but we believe it is essential to keep the regatta fresh, to bring in change when it benefits the participants. The warm welcome we received from Phi Phi Cabana Hotel when we went to check out accommodation clinched our decision."

This year's provisional programme will see boats registering in Phi Phi on 30 November, with the first day's racing on Monday 2 December in the waters around Phi Phi islands. The long Andaman Sea Race back to Kata Beach is scheduled for 3 December.

But the venue is not the only change to affect the King's Cup this year. The organising committee itself has seen transformation too. First, racing stalwart Dowden has relinquished the reigns of the race committee to assume the demanding role of King's Cup President - an honour long overdue.

The new Vice President for racing is Admiral (retired) Varong Songcharoen. Adm. Varong, who is a former commander of Thailand's Royal Naval Academy and Naval Attach? to Paris and Madrid, has been with the regatta since 1996 and has been a yacht-racing enthusiast for 38 years.

Further strengthening the organising committee is Niyom Tassaneetipagorn. Khun Niyom is an Assistant Vice President with Laguna Resorts and Hotels; he brings to the regatta a wealth of experience in local community relations at a time when the organisers are determined to stress the relevance and importance of the King's Cup to Phuket - and to ensure the local residents get in on the fun.

"With Phi Phi back in the loop, new blood on the regatta organising committee and the recent extension for visiting yachts to one year instead of six months, 2002 looks like being a great year for Phuket and its regatta," said Dowden, adding that the only other thing he needed was some wind.