Asia Superyacht Rendezvous over for another year
PHUKET: The final day of the Asia Superyacht Rendezvous started with the second race around the bay. Captains and crew were slightly concerned that the wind would be too light, but eventually it started to blow and the fleet set off.
Twizzle finished first, just four boat lengths ahead of Yanneke Too, with Asia following closely behind in position three.
Once the sailing was complete, all sail and motor boats were lined up out at sea and this gave photographers a chance to get some great shots of all the boats together.
After the parade, children and adults transformed themselves into pirates for the Rendezvous Booty Treasure Hunt. Everyone waited aboard their boats for Black Beard himself (Andy Dowden) to commence the countdown to search for the Treasure.
In full character and dressed in their pirate gear, all those partaking jumped on their tenders and headed out to sea to find clues that would hopefully lead them closer to the treasure. Si Datu Bua and Silolona had their pirate flags flying high and everyone ran from one clue to the next as if their lives depended on it. It was very exciting to watch, with everyone on the beach cheering the teams on. In the end it was YannekeToo who claimed the treasure.
Once the ‘pirates’ boarded their ships again, organizers of the Asia Superyacht Rendezvous began preparations for the Gala Dinner, which was sponsored by Boat International Media, the International Media Sponsor for the Rendezvous.
The evening began with a greeting from a baby elephant, followed by some traditional Thai dancing. Angsana Laguna Phuket then provided a buffet filled with delicious Thai dishes.
As with every year, there was a ‘Spirit of the Regatta’ prize, presented by Victoria Lister of Boat International Media, and this year it went to sailing yacht Yanneke Too who have been great supporters of the event for the past 12 years.
As the dinner drew to a close, everyone began saying their goodbyes with the lighting of traditional Thai lanterns. It was spectacular to see so many graceful, glowing lamps filling the sky. For many guests, the Asia Superyacht Rendezvous is the highlight of their sailing season and gives them a chance to meet with old friends and make new ones.
Everyone had a wonderful time and the event was a great success. The organizers and sponsors are already focusing and planning for the Asia Superyacht Rendezvous 2013. Feadship, along with Boat International, have pledged their continued support for 2013 and beyond.
The Asia Superyacht Rendezvous was again proudly sponsored by the Phuket Gazette, PGTV and the Gazette‘s nationally televised Phuket Today show on UBC/True Visions (channels 58 and 99).
