Raiders heading for Phuket
PHUKET: The island may still be waiting for the F1 boat races to come but, in the meantime, waterborne entertainment of a different kind will be heading for Phuket in December, in the form of the Rubson Raid Turquoise 2006.
The Rubson Raid, now in its sixth year, was devised by Belgian Philippe Martin as an event for large, fast, inflatable boats.
Mr Martin explained to Phuket Governor Udomsak Uswarangkura on Wednesday that the 2006 Raid will include flat-out races, navigation trials, timed stages, game fishing, wave running and water-skiing.
The 20 teams will consist of five crew each, plus support crews, and will use identical 7.5-meter Capelli rigid inflatable boats, made in Cremona, Italy, and fitted with V6 Yamaha F250 outboard engines.
The Raid is also expected to bring some 50 print journalists and 20 TV crews to Thailand to cover the event.
Competition will cover four stages between December 9 and 16: Langkawi-Koh Lanta; Koh Lanta-Krabi; Similan Islands; and Similans-Phuket.
For more information see the Rubson Raid website, here.
