Spectacular scenery, cruising, ‘racing’ sailing and some fantastic parties highlighted the 13th Phang Nga Bay Regatta held from February third to the seventh. This four-day event, known as the ‘FUN’ regatta, showcases three of Thailand’s provinces – Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi – and is one of the most scenic regattas on the Asian racing calendar. As a regatta that includes some not-so-serious competition as well as some keen racing, this event endears itself to those who want to cruise and compete with reduced chance of breakage and protests.

The limestone karsts and the islands of the bay set the backdrop for the 41 entrants competing in six classes – Racing, Cruising A, Cruising B, Racing Multihulls, Cruising Mulltihulls and Firefly 850 – which included racers in Asian regattas, family liveaboard cruisers and for the first time, a beach cat. Participating in the sailing fun were 226 people from Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, The Philippines, USA, Canada, the UK, Germany, France, Denmark, USSR, Turkey and Thailand.

Apart from yachts that took part in the racing, three glorious ladies of the sea attended this year as spectators and support ships for the organising committee, racing committee, local sponsors and media. Silolona is a 50-metre Indonesian Phinsi, Diva Andaman a 35-metre schooner and Vega is a 120-year-old schooner.

As a roaming and sleep-aboard regatta, the event offers yachts the opportunity to visit unique and unusual parts of the bay and savour the views and parties from various anchorages and venues. The opening party was held at Absolute Chandara Resort & Spa at Ao Por, a five-star resort on the east coast of Phuket Island.

Despite light wind conditions and shortened courses, the first two days of racing took the fleet up to the northeastern part of the bay to the sheltered anchorage at Chong Lat, and then south to Koh Yao Noi. Postcard perfect scenery abounds at these destinations: the changing light at dusk and dawn reveals a stunning array of gold, orange and purple on the limestone karsts and cliffs of the islands. With local villagers and their children greeting the fleet from traditional Thai boats called longtails, there was a taste of the local culture. Then came the seafood delights of Laem Sak Seafood, which were well received by all. The third day saw the fleet sail through the breathtaking setting of islands to the day’s onshore festivities at The Paradise Koh Yao, where a smorgasbord of European foods delighted the crews.

The wind picked up on the last two days of the regatta as the fleet cruised to Krabi for the evening’s party at the Sheraton Krabi Beach Resort. Then it was back to Phuket for the final wrap-up at Kan Eang II in Chalong, on the south end of the island.

The overall series results saw Switchblade placed first in Racing with Katsu and Ruby Tuesday, second and third. In Cruising A, it was Phoenix, Fidgi and Simba taking top spots while in Cruising B, Fistral, Optoloi and Rascal took the top places. In the Multihull classes, Voodoo, Moto Inzi and The Frog finished with top honours in the Firefly 850 Sport; Thor, Summersalt and The Sting won the Racing Multihulls, and Maharani and Vienna Cat, the Cruising Multihulls.

Contact details
Phang Nga Bay Regatta
Email: info@bay-regatta.com
Website: www.bay-regatta.com