OVER 40 boats will compete for honors, including the favorites in each class, in the six-day Sawadee.com Regatta, which is set to take off on June 1, organizers said.
Boats, crews and spectators have arrived and ready to begin race in Chaweng Beach. Now in its eighth year, Samui’s international yacht regatta has developed into one of Asia’s leading sailing events. A pre-regatta party on May 31 will provide crews with some time to relax before the first regatta challenge on June 1.
With the return of many regatta favorites, tough competition is expected in the six boat classes. Classes in 2009 include Racing, Premier, IRC, Bareboat, Sports Boats and Multihulls.
Neil Pryde’s Hi-Fi and Ray Roberts’ Quantum Racing will provide a formidable challenge in the Racing Class and will be joined by Boracay (Jelik II), Foxy Lady IV, Freefire 52, Mandrake, Katsu, Windsikher and Ichi Ban – making this a must-watch class.
Others returning to Samui to take up the challenge include Pornstar (Sports Boat Class), Constanza (Bareboat Class) and Cedar Swan (Multihull Class). In all, over 40 boats will compete for honors in their respective class, providing a fantastic on-water spectacle.
Known to bring in tourists and spectators and for its great evening parties and fun social events, the Sawadee.com Regatta this year will feature the second edition of the “Samui Junior Sailing Squadron Challenge” – an event that gives island children the opportunity to experience just what it’s like to be in a yachting race. The junior sailors will compete just off the beach in a challenge every bit as competitive as a full regatta.
