Asia-Pacific Boating March/April 2015 59Th e Phuket King’s Cup Regatta was held Nov 29-Dec 6. During the week
there were 123 keelboat races in addition to 27 dinghy races. Th ere were
more races than ever in the competition’s history as the Regatta continues
to be one of the largest in Asia.
Of the two exceptional competitors in IRC0 in 2014, Team Beau Geste
had the strength and consistency to carry an excellent performance
throughout the Regatta, beating Neil Pryde’s HiFi. A win in one of the
fi nal two races was enough to put Beau Geste fi ve points clear, earning
Karl Kwok’s team the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta glory.
“It was a big two days, lots of races and a big fl eet too,” says Kwok. “Our
13-person crew would love to be back at the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta in
the near future. I believe the King’s Cup is the biggest regatta in this part
of the world. China is opening up, but this is still the best.”
Island Fling and EFG Mandrake shared the points in the fi nal IRC1
runs, with Paul Winkelmann’s Island Fling claiming overall victory by
six points. Both Hong Kong competitors were locked in battle all week,
with EFG Mandrake performing well in several races but picking up a few
fourth-place fi nishes to its eventual detriment.
Bill Bremner’s Foxy Lady VI took the last two wins in IRC2, but it
was too little too late for the Singaporean team. TBG Team Premier had
already put the class to rest, claiming a well-deserved victory that broke
Bill Bremner’s nine-straight-win run in the Phuket King’s Cup.
Foreign Aff air was in a class of its own all week in IRC3, with an
unbroken string of fi rst place fi nishes.
Pine Pacifi c defeated its handicap once again to beat a trailing fl eet
in Premier class. Th e Th ai-registered boat skippered by Ithinai Yingsiri
made the 2014 event look easy.
In Bareboat Charter A, Andrey Duvanov and Team Uhuru took fi rst
and third in the last two races, putting them two points clear at the top.
Steady performances in an ever-evolving class gave them enough of a
fi nal advantage to win the A group. In Bareboat B, Team Sarawadee took
the fi nal wins, sealing the deal aft er a weeklong faultless regatta.
Open Charter saw Kata Rocks 3 victorious once again aft er a week
of exceptional results. Tony Pfeiff er’s crew were untouchable since
the fi rst race.
Twin Sharks and Voodoo took a win each from each of the fi nal Firefl y
850 Sports races, the two boats just a point apart at the fi nish. Th is played
out fi ttingly in an exciting fi nale in typical King’s Cup style – Hans
Rahmann’s Voodoo was the overall winner.
Th e winner of the Cruising class was Lady Bubbly. She performed
consistently well all week in claiming King’s Cup honours.PHUKET KING’S CUP REGATTA 2014
Alan Carwadine’s Hurricane took an easy series victory in Multihull
Racing. S.Y. Ravensong was the only boat to fi nish in Classic class. Minnie
won the Multihull Cruising class.
Th ai team Sansiri won the Modern Classic class. Skipper Patinyakorn
Buranrom inspired his young Th ai crew to win, and they thoroughly
deserved the victory. Th is is a wonderful testament to the rapidly
developing skills and commitment to the sport by Th ai sailors.
In the International Dinghy classes Saranwong Poonpat performed
exceptionally well throughout the regatta to win Optimist boys, while
Intira Parnpibul was second overall and fastest of the Optimist girls. In
the Laser class, Nattawut Paenyaem was the winner, and Apiwat Sringam
won the Topper class.
PHOTOS: GUY NOWELL http://www.kingscup.comRACES & REGATTAS
059-061 RR-new-1.indd 59 07/03/15 2:11 pm