Registration is now open for Thailand's favourite regatta and the Provisional Notice of Race is online. Five nights of parties that are renowned as the best regatta parties in the region, combined with four days of high-octane yacht racing in the southwest monsoon season have elevated Six Senses Phuket Raceweek, now in its seventh year, head and shoulders above the rest.

Held from 21 to 25 July at the Evason Phuket & Six Senses Spa on Phuket’s southeast coast, Raceweek is the first regatta in the 2010/2011 Asian Yachting Grand Prix Championship.

A regatta for all
“Yachts thinking of taking part shouldn’t be put off by thinking this is all about top racing yachts, though” said Grenville Fordham, MD of organizers and rights owners Image Asia Events Co., Ltd. “We attract a strong fleet of cruising yachts too, both monohull and multihull, and they all have a great time during Six Senses Phuket Raceweek, no matter how much or how little experience they have,” he added.

Charter a yacht to race
For those who don’t have a boat in Phuket, or within easy reach, there are numerous competitive yachts – from IRC to cruising, monohull and multihull – available to charter, either with skipper or bareboat. Check out the regatta website for details.

ACYC Multihull Challenge
This year’s Phuket Raceweek will run back-to-back with the Ao Chalong Yacht Club (ACYC) Multihull Challenge, which is expected to attract up to 20 catamarans and trimarans from around Thailand. “With the two events close together this year, we expect to see some synergy and a very strong multihull fleet in Six Senses Phuket Raceweek,” said Fordham.

Earlybirds win a free entry!
Regatta registration is now open via the regatta website with fabulous value ‘earlybird’ discounts on entry fees for boats and crew. And a first this year is the chance to win back entry fees for boat and full crew courtesy of Global Investments (Far East) – but you only qualify if you beat the earlybird deadline.

Another first this year is the unique souvenir Six Senses Phuket Raceweek apparel from Official Suppliers Gybe – available for advance orders online through the regatta registration page.

Lower than ever room rates at Evason!
With rooms starting at just 3,200 Baht all inclusive for regatta participants, the 2010 Evason rates are the best deal yet in the regatta's seven years! Visit the website accommodation page for more information.

Andaman Cabriolet seeks top honours – again
Yet another development that will have those ‘in the know’ keeping a lookout is the return of last year’s surprise Multihull Winner, the brand new Phuket-built Andaman Cabriolet Niña on her first outing. Niña also took first place in this year’s Royal Langkawi Regatta. For Six Senses Phuket Raceweek 2010, she will be accompanied by two ‘sisters’, the second Andaman Cabriolet Da Vinci and designer Alan Carwadine’s own 42 foot derivation, Sidewinder, with the same hull shape, both still undergoing final preparations in the boatyard. According to a source inside Cabriolet builders Composite Catamarans, they hope to take all three podium positions in this year’s Multihull Class. Watch this space!

Co-Sponsor Jaguar leverages its sponsorship
As part of its experiential marketing activity, Jaguar will be unleashing its new XJ models on the Six Senses Phuket Raceweek audience. With the new XJ models, Jaguar takes the lead on innovation, with a seductive mix of stunning design, intuitive technology and ground-breaking thinking. In 2010 top VIP car enthusiasts will be invited from around Asia to put these superb vehicles through their paces, while regional distributors’ top sales management will get to experience a taste of speed on the water as well as off.

Sponsors line up to join Six Senses Phuket Raceweek 2010
Already confirmed to join Six Senses and Jaguar in the sponsorship lineup are (returning) Tourism Authority of Thailand, Siam Winery, Andaman Cabriolet, Asia-Pacific Boating, MyPhuketInfo.com, Phuket Gazette, Prestige Magazine, SEA Yachting and (first time) Global Investments (Far East), Urbane Nomads, Gybe, Yacht Style, AngloInfo and Movenpick. As discussions come to fruition over the coming weeks, many more of last year’s sponsors and partners are expected to return in 2010.