Many of Thailand’s best rising nautical stars are gracing Kata Bay and competing in the international dinghy class, such as Patcharaphan “Stam” Ongkaloy from the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, who captured a gold medal in the Optimist Class in the recent Southeast Asia Games in Cambodia.
Other startlets include Thanaphat “Poom” Siricharoen, who won a silver medal in the ILCA 4 class at the Southeast Asia Games in Cambodia and Ton Rattana, the current ILCA 4 class district champion.
Much of the focus on the King’s Cup is on the foreign racers that travel far and wide to compete in Asia’s most prestigious regatta.
However, the event is also a platform for young Thai and Asia sailors to showcase their talents and jumpstart their racing careers.
The International Dinghy Classes race from Dec 3-5 at Kata Beach is divided into four starts as follows: Monohull Dinghy Handicap (12 boats); ILCA 4 (15 boats); Open Skiff (17 boats); and Optimist (79 boats).
One hundred and twenty-three dinghies from nine nations, including Canada, China, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, St. Christopher & Nevis, Taiwan, Thailand and the USA are competing in the regatta.
Yesterday was a great day for women’s racing in particular. Patcharaphan continued her winning ways, capturing the Optimist Girl’s Class, with fellow YRAT sailor Pailin Jaroenpon placing second and Royal Varuna’s Pinchanok Klaysomboon coming in third. All three finished before their first male counterpart crossed the line.
Jirathip Muthiphan then won the Optimist Boy’s Class, followed by Nattakorn Jitsuwan and Panudat Polpool, with all three sailors representing YRAT.
The ILCA4 class was won by YRAT’s Nanvatorn Supaamphonwit, with clubmate and the top female finisher Paranee Muangngam placing second. RVYC’s Ton Rattana came third in this class.
Open Skiff was won by another woman as India’s Anandi Chandavarkar triumphed, followed by UWC’s Don Kaewpradab of Thailand in second with Indian Eashaan Mehta placing third.
The Open Skiff class has a devout following at the nearby Phuket Yacht Club in Ao Chalong under the astute leadership of former Australian national junior champion Scott Duncanson. The popularity of these boats has grown substantially since they were introduced to Phuket a few years back.
The regatta runs until Saturday (Dec 9) with Beyond Kata hosting the event and the Royal Awards Ceremony.
It was confirmed today that Her Majesty Queen Suthida will be in Phuket to take part in racing in the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta and to officiate the handing out of awards to winners on Saturday.
For more information and result, please visit www.kingscup.com.