Regatta Winners Honored

KATA: “This was the greatest regatta ever,” proclaimed Admiral Thira Haoch, Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Navy and Honorary Chairman of the 12th Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, to an audience of competitors and guests assembled Saturday night for the Royal Awards Ceremony. The admiral was among a host of dignitaries in attendance at the function held in the Grand Ballroom of the Kata Beach Resort. Royal Varuna Yacht Club Commodore Adolph Knees, who serves as King’s Cup President, announced that this year’s 81 entries comprised the largest King’s Cup field ever. He said the turnout of top-notch crews from Asian countries was especially noteworthy in light of the Asian Games yachting races underway in Pattaya. Overall winners of the 12th King’s Cup included Neil Pryde and the crew of Hi Fidelity in the Racing Class; Andreas Soriano III and the crew of Irvmiren in the Ocean Cruising Class; Hans Rahman and the crew of Master Blaster in the Cruising Class; Andrew Hogbin and the crew of Chant De Mai in the Classic Keelboats Class; and Muzza Nordstrand and the crew of Fine Pitch in the Ocean Multihull Class. Radab Kanjanavanit and the crew of Cedar Swan placed highest among Thai competitors, finishing second overall in the Ocean Multihull Class. During the awards ceremony, it was announced that the Kata Beach Resort will again serve as host venue for next year’s event. Organizers said plans are underway to pay special tribute to His Majesty the King, who will be celebrating his 72nd birthday just prior to the 13th King’s Cup Regatta.