Youth dinghy sailors head for King’s Cup showdown

PHUKET: A fleet of 25 Optimist and seven Laser dinghies set sail off Cape Panwa last weekend as the Phuket Dinghy Series 2014 got underway, ahead of the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta to be held in December.

Racing began in front of the Sailing Club of the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command Base at 11am, with breezes of eight to 12 knots filling in and clear skies above giving the young sailors the picture-postcard views that Phuket has become renowned for.

The series finale will be held at Kata Beach on November 29 and 30, the first two registration days of the King’s Cup Regatta.

The standings so far are:

Laser class: 1) Teerapong Torkrathok (PYSC); 2) Kittitach Chavykeaw (SSC); 3) Winai Sukkasem (SSC).

Optimist class – Boys: 1) Nattapong Yoang-ngam (PYSC); 2) Katoon Jumdet (PYSC); 3) Sarawuth Kulak (PYSC).

Optimist class – Girls: 1) Nalinmas Nitsuwan (NAC3SC); 2) Natnicha Maneecharoen (NAC3SC); 3) Keeratika Krongbun (NAC3SC)

Qualified, top sailors are expected to race a large fleet of International Dinghy Class in the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta during the first week of December when competitors will flock from national and international locations to take part in the renowned sailing event.

The popular dinghy series races with full support from PTT Global Chemical who recognizes the potential of Thai youth in sailing sports.

For more information, visit www.kingscup.com or the official Phuket King’s Cup Facebook page (click here).

This event is proudly sponsored by the Phuket Gazette and PGTV’s nationwide ‘Phuket Today’ show, which broadcasts daily on True Visions channels 85 and 59.