On Deck: Phuket King’s Cup Regatta wins ‘Best Asian Regatta’

PHUKET: It was a big night at the recent Asia Boating Awards for Phuket and Thailand, with many of the country’s leading marine personalities being nominated for an award. In total, 12 Thailand businesses and events made it onto the short-lists, vying against companies from all around Asia for the 25 awards.

Organized by Asia-Pacific Boating and China Boating magazines, the 12th Asia Boating Awards were presented during a luxurious gala at ONE° 15 Marina Club on the opening night of the Singapore Yacht Show last month.

Showcasing Asian builders and international brands, as well as Asian regattas and marinas, organizers explained that a number of new categories were introduced this year, including Best Multihull Motor Yacht, Best Multihull Sailing Yacht, Best Asian Yacht Refit and Best Asian Boat Show, due to popular demand and industry trends.

Phuket’s big winners on the night were the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta for ‘Best Asian Regatta,’ and Yacht Solutions, who won ‘Best Asian Yacht Refit’ for their work on MV SuRi.

It’s not the first time the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta has won at the Asia Boating Awards. This is the third time Asia’s premier regatta has been honored and it’s no surprise. Regularly attracting the top racing fleet from around the region and beyond, as well as a huge number of charterers from all over the world, the Phuket King’s Cup – which will celebrate its 30th year this December – has become the regatta others strive to emulate.

Over the awards’ 12-year history, Phuket regattas have won a grand total of four times, with Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek winning in 2010. Phuket’s track record of success underscores the Thai government’s aim to establish Phuket as the leading marine leisure destination in Asia and marina hub of Asean.

In recognition of the growing importance of Asia as a refit and repair hub, the ‘Best Asian Yacht Refit’ award was introduced this year and it was the superyacht marine consultancy Yacht Solutions that took the inaugural award for their work on the 64-meter expedition yacht MV SuRi.

While headquartered in Phuket, Yacht Solutions also have an operating base in Bangkok and it was at their centrally located shipyard, the Bangkok Dock facility. where Yacht Solutions undertook a 3-month refit of MV SuRi. After being relaunched, it was featured in the blockbuster movie ‘Mechanic: Resurrection’, with an all-star cast headlined by Jason Statham and Jessica Alba (set to be released August 2016).

Phuket-based businesses representing international brands that won at the awards include Go Boating Thailand (Gulf Craft), Sunseeker, Boat Lagoon Yachting (Princess and Jeanneau), Simpson Marine (Lagoon), Lee Marine (Ferretti Group), Azimut Yachts and Northrop & Johnson.

Duncan Worthington is a long time Phuket resident, and through Infinity Communications (www.infinity-comms.com), consults leading consumer brands, hospitality and marine clients in Thailand. In his ‘spare time’ he runs the marine portal www.MarineScene.asia. #OnDeckPhuket