The Phuket King's Cup Regatta continues to grow it's international footprint each year with 2009 seeing more than 33 nationalities taking part and a record fleet of 111 boats.
Strong international supporters of the Regatta continue to be Japanese sailors with 10 all-Japanese entries and 96 Japanese crew, making up approximately 10% of the 2009 fleet.
“We have entries from all corners of the world but Japanese sailors have been coming to the Regatta for over a decade now and each year more come to enjoy the tropical competitive sailing we offer,” commented Simon James, Race Director.
“Most of the Japanese crews charter local Phuket-based boats to compete and a number of crews have already chartered boats for the 2010 Regatta. This is great for the Regatta and also for the Island's charter industry,” added James.
2009 saw a number of good results by Japanese crews including Switchblade taking third place in IRC 1, skippered by Yasuo Nanamori from the Seabonia Yacht Club; Fidgi took third place in Bareboat Charter, skippered by Keisuke Nagamatsu; and Puma took fourth place in IRC2, skippered by Koji Kikuchi;
With its tropical location and warm water sailing conditions, the Phuket King's Cup Regatta attracts charter entries from all corners of the globe. In 2009 over 30% of the fleet were chartered boats and 2010 expects to see an increase in international charter entries as the Regatta Organising Committee's marketing and communications plan is targetting key international sailing markets in Australia Asia and Europe.
To that end, the Regatta is working with the Japanese Sailing Federation on increasing the number of Japanese entries to the Regatta long-term and starting in 2010 the Japanese Sailing Federation will present a trophy to the best performing Japanese entry.
“We're very happy to be working closely with the Japanese Sailing Federation. It's always good to see the same crews coming back each year and we hope when they return to Japan, they will tell their friends and bring more with them again the following year,” added James.
