Phuket Sports: King’s Cup Regatta tacks windsurfing onto schedule

PHUKET: THE Phuket King’s Cup Regatta plans to reintroduce windsurfing as one of its competitive classes this year.

The newly announced Windsurfing Class is held in cooperation with the Windsurfing Association of Thailand (WATH), with races taking place over four days from December 2 to 5.

About 14 sailors from the Thai national team will join the windsurfing competition, including Ek Boonsawad, and Siriporn “Dao” Kaewduanggam. Ek recently represented Thailand at the 2012 London Olympics, while Dao won the 2010 Youth Olympics in Singapore. There will also be six Thai sailors from the Royal Thai Navy Base in Satthip joining the event, in addition to 20 sailors from abroad.

WATH President, Mr Ittipol Kunplume, said: “The Windsurfing Association of Thailand is very pleased to see our sport form part of such a prestigious regatta. It is great for the sport of windsurfing in Thailand, a country in which enjoys strong levels of participation from Thai nationals, and visiting guests.

“There are a lot of tourists and visitors who take advantage of Phuket’s superb sea conditions to come to grips with this enjoyable and challenging sport.”

Mr Kevin Whitcraft, president of the Phuket King’s Cup Organizing Committee, said: “We’re pleased to welcome a new generation of windsurfing competitors to the 2012 Regatta. This is an exciting and fun addition to the ‘classes of 2012’, and so sits well with the thrilling spectacle of big boat racing during the 26th Phuket King’s Cup.

“Phuket could be considered something of an ultimate location for the sport for both professional competitors and novices wishing to explore a high-energy water sport.”

The 2012 Phuket King’s Cup Windsurfing Championships will gather top competitors from across the region, with racers using supplied 2013 Phantom Race 295 windsurfs provided by Starboard, ensuring a parity of equipment for close racing.

Quiksilver Thailand have joined as a sponsor, providing accommodation for sailors, and Amara Watersports Thailand will also provide sponsorship support. Thai windsurfers are expected to perform well in the competition due to the sport’s popularity in the country, and given Thailand’s exceptional international reputation in the sport.

The Phuket King’s Cup Regatta itself will run from December 1 to 8, and will host the largest and most competitive fleet of any regional regatta, with the top competitors from around Thailand and cruising sailors from around the world taking part.

For more information on windsurfing at the Phuket King’s Cup, view the Notice of Race here.