Six Senses Phuket Raceweek 2009 - NEWS Archives

PRESS RELEASE: Phuket Thailand, 24 June 2009
ENTRIES LOOKING GOOD

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Raceweek joins the Asian Grand Prix circuit
Following interest from some of the key competitors in the Asian Yachting Grand Prix circuit, Six Senses Phuket Raceweek ‘signs up’ as the first event in the 2009/10 racing season.

Entries looking good
With a month to go to the first race, entries are looking promising. Just under 30 boats have either formally confirmed or indicated that they’ll be there – more than at the same time last year.

Boats of all sorts are still available for charter for Raceweek – at prices starting from an unbelievable 65,000 for a 6-day charter on a 2007 King’s Cup class winner. If you don’t want a ‘whole boat’, there are join-in options too. Check out: www.phuketraceweek.com/charters.htm

5,000 Euro yacht charter holiday up for grabs
Answer a few simple questions (and get them right!) and a 5,000 Euro yacht charter holiday, including two nights stay at Evason for two couples, is the prize.

The competition is open to anyone, whether competing in Phuket Raceweek 2009 or not. The competition is sponsored by Composite Catamarans & Evason Phuket. For information on how to enter go to: www.phuketraceweek.com/charter_competition.htm

Jaguar cars shipped in for Phuket Raceweek
Jaguar is shipping from the UK to Phuket its latest 2010 model XK and XFR range of cars to coincide with Six Senses Phuket Raceweek, organizing in conjunction with the regatta the ‘Jaguar Asia-Pacific Test Drive Event’ from July 22-26.

60 Jaguar Asia-Pacific VIP guests from Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines and Thailand are invited, to try several models of Jaguar while enjoy the stunning views of Phuket and luxury relaxation at Six Senses Resort and Spa. Expert instructors from Jaguar and Grand Prix International will help the VIP guests to experience the unrivalled performance of Jaguar’s cars.

New sponsors on board!
Recent additions to the Raceweek main sponsorship lineup include Grey Goose Vodka, Fraser Suites & Fraser Place, Hertz car rentals and, last but not least, Kingfisher Premium beers.

NewspaperDirect special Raceweek offer
One of Raceweek's media partners, NewspaperDirect, prints locally in Thailand 800 different titles from 40 different countries. Visit www.phuketnewspapers.net for a list of titles, then order online or by phone at 076 343 218. Your newspaper will be delivered to your home or hotel.

Raceweek competitors and guests are offered a unique deal: Simply mention: ‘Six Senses Phuket Raceweek’ when placing your order to receive a 25% discount. The offer is valid until 30 July 2009.

She'll just make it!
The newest catamaran – the Andaman Cabriolet Da Vinci Niña – racing at this year's Phuket Raceweek is the regatta organiser's boat. As if running a regatta's not enough, IMAGE asia MD Grenville Fordham has sidestepped into boat building... with more than a little help from his friends. Finishing touches are being applied at a frantic rate and, despite all the pessimists around, the boat will race!

Rumour has it that there may be an unbelievable 'first buyer' deal on the table for Raceweek. More later... For information on the Andaman Cabriolet go to: www.catamaransailingphuket.com

Great Raceweek rates at Evason
If you haven't already booked accommodation for Raceweek, Evason is offering great rates to regatta participants - with rooms from only 3,800 Baht per night incl buffet breakfast. For more information go to the website’s accommodation page www.phuketraceweek.com/accommodation.htm. Download Evason Fact Sheet for full details of this amazing resort. www.phuketraceweek.com/Evason_Phuket_Fact_Sheet.pdf

Phuket’s ‘new’ yacht club
Ao Chalong Yacht Club has reinvented itself. Literally days after completing smart new premises right on the beach in Chalong Bay, the impressive bar has been drawing more and more members and guests each evening.

Plans to contract a professional restaurateur to operate the food and beverage – leaving the committee free to focus on sailing – are in progress. The end result will be a great, friendly place to eat well and drink well, with magical views across the bay and some long yarns to be told. www.acyc-phuket.com

Unicorn playing Raceweek again
Not only were the girls from Thailand’s top all-girl band a huge success at Raceweek last year – they had a ball too! So, despite shrinking budgets, the girls are back again to entertain participants on Saturday and Sunday nights.

At last!!! Launching at Raceweek
After a fair bit of delay, mostly due to the state of the economy(ies), the third edition of SOUTHEAST ASIA PILOT (formerly Andaman Sea Pilot) will be unveiled during Raceweek. Chairman of the Race Committee, Andy Dowden, is one of the authors, the other is our usual MC Bill O'Leary and the whole thing is stitched together by IMAGE asia MD, Grenville Fordham. Word has it that Bill might not be with us this year, so one 'autograph' may have to do...

Southeast Asia Pilot is 196 pages crammed with essential detailed information for anyone cruising the seas of Southeast Asia. Anchorages, charts, marinas, major refit facilities, regattas – and a lot more: www.southeastasiapilot.com

Phuket Raceweek fact sheet
When did it start? When did the name change? Who won what? For those who would like to find out something of the history of Phuket Raceweek, there’s an online Fact Sheet complete with quick links to every year’s results.

Six Senses Phuket Raceweek couldn’t happen without the sponsors. This year the lineup is:
Title Sponsor Six Senses Resorts & Spas. Co-Sponsors Tourism Authority of Thailand, Grey Goose, Jaguar Cars, Rodenstock. Official Suppliers Andaman Cabriolet, Canpac Beverages, Fraser Suites & Fraser Place, Hertz Rent a Car, Kingfisher Premium, Nivea Sun, The Moorings. Media Partners Asia Pacific Boating, Asia Spa, China Boating, Daily Xpress, LP Luxury Properties, myphuketinfo.com, NewspaperDirect, PGTV, Phuket Gazette, Prestige Magazine, SEA Yachting. IslandPartners Bangkok Hospital Phuket, Lee Marine, Sunsail, Topper Sail. Island & Industry Supporters Big ‘A’, Boat Lagoon Marina, Da Vinci, Electrical Marine, Funmag, Latitude 8 Yachting, PCS, Phuket Interwood, Seraph Cruises, Quantum Sails.

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PRESS RELEASE: Phuket Thailand, 19 May 2009
EARLY BIRDS CATCH PHUKET RACEWEEK 2009

While the world watched some inaccurate TV reporting of the protests in Bangkok on last month during the Thai New Year holiday, Phuket went about cheerfully celebrating New Year in the traditional way – dousing all and sundry with cool, fresh water. As usual, political strife elsewhere in Thailand hardly touched this holiday island, where fun and revelry are the name of the game.

Getting geared up for their own annual dose of fun, the Phuket Raceweek organisers have posted the Notice of Race on the regatta website and online registration is open – with fantastic savings of up to 25% for entries received by 19 June. “We hope everyone takes advantage of the ‘early bird’ entry fees. The participants get a great deal and we get the information we need to plan the best event possible – so we all win,” said Grenville Fordham, MD of Raceweek organisers and rights owners, IMAGE asia. Six Senses Phuket Raceweek will be held from 22-26 July at the Evason Phuket & Six Senses Spa, with racing off the southern tip of Phuket.

Although – with about two months still to go – it’s too early to predict numbers with any degree of accuracy, the ‘buzz’ around Phuket’s yachting community is that 2009 is going to be a bumper year, despite the global gloom. An indication of what’s in store is the number of Phuket-built Fireflys expected to race in their one-design class.

Raceweek 2008 saw five Firefly 850s battle it out in 25 knots of wind and a heavy swell. This year, eight or nine are expected to be in the line up, those sold outside Phuket having made their way back ‘home’. It remains to be seen how many Corsair trimarans, which have started arriving in Phuket in increasing numbers, will make it to Raceweek; much depends on whether Pattaya-based Corsair owners decide to bring these light, trailerable multis south in July to test their competitiveness in the both the SEA Property 3-day multihull event scheduled for 3-5 July and Raceweek on 22 July.

Fireflys apart, the multihull fleet looks like being the most interesting yet, with the anticipated participation of Henry Kaye's and Arnie Duckworth's new 'flying machines'.

In another multihull development, a new catamaran design built in Phuket will use Raceweek as its sales launch. The Andaman Cabriolet, by Composite Catamarans (www.catamaransailingphuket.com), is being promoted as the ideal multihull ‘cruiser-racer’ for the Andaman Sea. The Composite guys are looking for a convincing performance during Raceweek with their first boat (Niña), which is scheduled for launch just a couple of week before the racing starts.

Composite Catamarans have also come on board as a sponsor of Six Senses Phuket Raceweek 2009, staging a competition in conjunction with Evason Phuket. First prize is a charter holiday on Niña, combined with accommodation at Evason, worth around 5,000 Euros. Details of how to enter the competition – open to all-comers whether participating in Raceweek this year or not – will be announced shortly.

The 2009 sponsorship lineup, while less packed than anticipated due to the recession, nevertheless boasts some impressive names: Six Senses Resorts & Spas return for the second year as Title Sponsor, joined by Co-Sponsors Jaguar Cars, Tourism Authority of Thailand and Rodenstock. Composite Catamarans join Canpac Beverages (supplying the wine), Nivea and Moorings as Official Suppliers, the latter launching their Phuket fleet of new power and sailing catamarans at Raceweek.

A full range of local, national and international Media Partners – and a TV show with worldwide distribution – ensure the Raceweek message will be heard and seen on the small screen, in print and on the web. Six Senses Phuket Raceweek enjoys marketing support by Paul Poole (South East Asia) Co., Ltd.

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PRESS RELEASE: Phuket, Thailand: 22 January 2009
Jaguar Cars join Six Senses for Phuket Raceweek 2009

As preparations get into full swing for Six Senses Phuket Raceweek 2009 – comprising four days of first-class yacht racing and five nights of glittering parties – organisers and rights holders IMAGE asia are delighted to announce that Six Senses Resorts & Spas have signed up as Title Sponsor for the second consecutive year, while Jaguar Land Rover Asia Pacific have come on board for the first time as a Co-Sponsor.

“Given the state of the global economy, we’re particularly delighted by Six Senses’ renewed commitment to Raceweek,” said Image Asia MD Grenville Fordham. “And to sign a prestigious co-sponsor like Jaguar Land Rover Asia Pacific at times like this is a real boost,” he added.

Fordham pledged that his company will go all-out to maintain the high overall standards achieved at the 2008 event despite the world-wide economic conditions.

Echoing Fordham’s sentiment, organiser of the NRG Cup (inaugurated in 2008), Benjamin Dupal, CEO of Singapore- based NRG Engineering, said, “I’m confident we’ll be able to gather a full class, around 10-12 boats, this year. I can’t wait to be there again!”

The NRG Cup, an invitation event for companies within Oil and Gas industry, is staged within Six Senses Phuket Raceweek – with competitors racing against their industry colleagues from all over Asia, yet still competing in the main regatta against all other participants.

44 boats competed in Raceweek 2008 and the organisers are confident that the numbers will increase yet again in 2009. “Raceweek has grown gradually over the past five years, attracting sailors from around the world, as its reputation for excellent monsoon season racing and superb waterside parties every evening has spread throughout the international yachting community,” said Fordham.

Sponsorship
From the sponsor's point of view, what sets Phuket Raceweek apart from others is the attention paid to professional sponsorship management.

From first contact, through signing a sponsorship agreement, until after the event winds down, sponsorship experts Paul Poole (South East Asia) Co., Ltd. work with both the sponsor and the organiser to ensure that agreed benefits are delivered in full and that opportunities presented by the event are fully maximised.

Speaking from the recent World Yacht Racing Forum in Monaco, Paul Poole, who has represented Phuket Raceweek since 2007 said, “Six Senses repeat sponsorship, and Jaguar’s new sponsorship of the only commercially operated regatta in Thailand, is testament to the event’s ability to consistently deliver a return on investment (ROI) and, as importantly, a return on objective (ROO), to its sponsors and partners.

"I believe that despite the anticipated difficult financial year ahead we will see a sell out the commercial sponsorship of the 2009 edition of this popular event, with the further five co-sponsor opportunities being filled by a combination of repeat and new sponsors.”

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PRESS RELEASE: Phuket, Thailand: 26 July 2008
2008 : A FANTASTIC RACEWEEK!

“We’re not used to racing in this much wind in Asia,” an exhilarated Peter Ahern told the organisers on Sunday evening at the Six Senses Phuket Raceweek Gala Prizegiving and Closing Party. Yo!2 wiped the board with a first in all eight IRC Racing Class 1 races.

“Thanks for a fantastic Race Week. We look forward to the next one…” said Cunning Plan’s Rob Azzopardi. “Forget the rest,” said another participating owner. “This is absolutely the best regatta in Asia.”

According to Asia Marine's Olivier Payen, on Kinnon, Raceweek was: “A great opportunity for our staff to participate... and create internal team building.” While Katsu's Ben Copley (2nd overall in IRC Racing Class 1) described Raceweek as: “An excellent well run Regatta. Good courses, excellent race management and off water administration, great parties.”

“An excellent and extremly well organized regatta. By far the best [yet]. It would be difficult to find fault with anything,” said Mark Pescott, skipper of Twin Sharks and designer of the Firefly fleet.

“I thoroughly enjoyed [it] and will definitely be back. From my point of view one of the most exciting regattas I have been to for a long, long time,” added Roger Kingdon, owner and skipper of the Firefly Moto Inzi. Kingdon managed a third place after eight races, coming in just one point behind the tied first and second placed SEA Property and Mamba in this highly competitive one-design class.

Other class winners were Niels Degenkolw’s Phoenix (IRC Racing 2), with an all-girl hotshot crew from Denmark, Andrew de Bruin’s Awatea (Club-Charter) in its first Six Senses Phuket Raceweek, Chameleon skippered by Shane Smith (Ocean Multihull), Mark Horwood’s Charro (Racing Multihull) and Gunther Nutt’s Kerida, maintaining its unbroken record as supremo of the Classic Class.

“In the five years that we’ve been running this event, I’ve never had so many people come up on the last night and congratulate us,” said an exhausted but smiling Grenville Fordham, MD of organisers and rights owners IMAGE asia. Fordham had forsaken shore side this year to take race in the 44-boat fleet himself, together with Race Committee Chairman and regatta co-founder, Andy Dowden, on Club Class entrant, Roger Harris’s Simone, gaining a third place in the series.

Participants and organisers were not the only happy folk at the Evason Phuket & Six Senses Spa regatta venue on Sunday night. Sponsors, too, lauded the event and the milestone achievement this year in raising its profile and standards — in large part due to the contribution of Title Sponsor, Six Senses Resorts & Spas.

From the sponsor's point of view, what sets Raceweek apart from others is the attention paid to professional sponsorship management. From first contact, through signing a sponsorship agreement, until after the event winds down, sponsorship marketing consultants Paul Poole (South East Asia) Co., Ltd work with both the sponsor and the organiser to ensure that agreed benefits are delivered in full and that opportunities presented by the event are fully maximised.

The success of this approach is borne out by the support this year of significant brand names: Co-Sponsors Raimon Land, Rodenstock and Tourism Authority of Thailand, Official Suppliers Johnnie Walker Soda Mix, Mont Clair Wines and SIXT Rent-a-Car, Media Partners Asia-Pacific Boating, Asia Spa, Australasian Yachting, China Boating, CNN Traveller, Daily XPress, LP Luxury Properties, Phuket Gazette, Prestige Magazine and SEA Yachting, as well as a whole raft of local partners and supporters.

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PRESS RELEASE: Phuket, Thailand: 04 July 2008
THEY COME... AND THEY GO...

Twenty days before the racing starts, Six Senses Phuket Raceweek participant numbers are holding firm. Now in its fifth year, the regatta will be held from 23 to 27 July at Evason Phuket & Six Senses Spa on the Phuket Island’s southeast coast, with four days of intense yacht racing and five nights of equally intense partying.

“What always happens at this stage, is that a few of the early registrations fall by the wayside as unforeseen commitments take their toll,” said Grenville Fordham, MD of regatta organisers IMAGE asia. “But the great news is that recent entries – as well as those the grapevine tells us are coming – more than compensate."

Fordham said he still expects a record 40-plus boats on the start line – more than 40 percent increase on the 2007 event – but noted that he had been forced to abandon plans to reintroduce a Sports Boat class after a two-year absence. “These are some of the most thrilling boats to see racing but there just aren’t enough of them around. When we lost one of the Thailand’s most active sports boat owners to clashing business obligations, we had no choice but to include the remaining boats in one of the other racing classes,” he said.

The regatta will be raced over 7 classes, including IRC Racing Class 1, IRC Racing Class 2, Club Class, Racing Multihull Class, Ocean Multihulls Class, Firefly 850 One-design Catamaran Class and Classic Class.

On the social side of the regatta – to some participants and certainly their families the ‘main event’ – the organisers have booked Bangkok-based all-girl Thai band ‘Unicorn’ to play for two nights, including the Gala Prizegiving and Closing party on Sunday 27 July. Continuing its (almost) one-regatta-one-venue concept, four of the five parties will be held at Evason Phuket and Six Senses Spa’s Into the Beach sea-terrace.

The exception, the renowned Raimon Land party, will again take participants across the island to the spectacular Ratri Jazztaurant at Kata Beach on Saturday 26 July. And, again following tradition, the ‘unofficial’ bonus party, veteran yachtsman Horst Lakits’ pig-roast will again be staged at his Big A Resort.

Six Senses Phuket Raceweek 2008 enjoys formal backing from the Sports Authority of Thailand, the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand and the Tourism Authority of Thailand and is run under the auspices of the Ao Chalong Yacht Club.

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PRESS RELEASE: Phuket, Thailand: 04 June 2008
ENTRIES TAKE OFF FOR SIX SENSES PHUKET RACEWEEK

With 50 days still to go to regatta registration at the Evason Phuket on 23 July, the 5th Six Senses Phuket Raceweek is looking at record entries.

“Never before have we had so many confirmed registrations this far ahead,” said Grenville Fordham, MD of organisers IMAGE asia, adding that – based on entries to date – he would not be surprised to see 50 boats line up for the start of racing on the morning of 24 July.

The Sports Boat Class will see Scott Duncanson (Somtam Express) set against Bangkok’s Kipsan Beck (Pornstar) and Koh Samui’s Mick Grover (Moonshadow) – with a couple of other likely entries to ensure a good battle for podium positions.

In IRC, veteran of the Asian circuit, Peter Ahern, comes up from Perth to race Yo!2 in one of his favourite Asian regattas for the second year running, while Stuart Williamson, the man behind the ambitious Cariad 1896 restoration project, brings his Beneteau 34.7 Endeavour of Whitby up from Malaysia to give the huge contingent of locally-based sailors a run for their money.

2008 looks like being a good year for multihulls too, with indications that between 10-15, including Neil Ayre’s newly-arrived Corsair 28 Shanghai Baby, will contest the event over at least two classes, while five grand Classic boats will again be out there, doing their best to wrest the Seraph Perpetual Trophy from perpetual winner Gunter Nutt’s Kerida.

And the new NRG Cup, exclusive to companies and individuals in the oil and gas industries, has taken off with five confirmed entries to date and more expected.

For anyone who wants part of the action, but can’t get their boat to Phuket, there are plenty of options. Several boats are available for charter on the regatta website, with everything from bareboat to join-in. The bargain of the event is 2007 King’s Cup charter class winner, 30-ft Fidji, at only 65,000 Baht all-in.

Every year every regatta in the region sees skippers desperate for competent crew and experienced sailors looking to take part in the racing. If either of these descriptions fits, visit the regatta website crew pages and register yourself.

On the race management side, Andy Dowden will once again chair the Race Committee, with Simon James running the show on the water as Principal Race Officer. Australia’s Mark Pryke returns as our Jury Chairman and will be joined this year by Rut Subniran and Admiral Prasart Sribhadung from Thailand. We will be looking for two sailors to join the jury panel as well as volunteers to help Race Officer Simon James on the water. Six

Senses Phuket Raceweek 2008 enjoys formal backing from the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, the Sports Authority of Thailand and the Tourism Authority of Thailand and is run under the auspices of the Ao Chalong Yacht Club.

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PRESS RELEASE: Phuket, Thailand: 10 April 2008
SIX SENSES PHUKET RACEWEEK BREAKS NEW GROUND

The NRG Cup, free-flow of drinks, new boats, international TV coverage… and more in store for Six Senses Phuket Raceweek 2008.

Online registration is now open for Six Senses Phuket Raceweek 2008 – anticipated to be the best Raceweek yet – offering a reduced entry fee for early registrations. Phuket’s ‘Green Season’ regatta, now in its 5th year, sees a mixed fleet of yachts race in the southwest monsoon breezes off Phuket’s south coast every July, this year from 23-27 July.

While retaining the same one-regatta-one-venue format, combining four days of competitive racing with five nights of grand waterside parties – a format that has met with unanimous approval from competitors – this year’s event brings a host of new dimensions.

Evason Phuket’s ‘Into the Beach’ venue, Asia’s favourite waterside regatta party spot, is undergoing an extensive upgrade, providing more party space for the ever-growing number of competitors, while Six Senses Title Sponsorship means a massive leap forward in catering, with copious 5-star full buffet spreads at every party.

On the racing scene, early indications are of a strong sport boat class, the eye-catching Firefly racing catamarans in greater numbers than ever, a solid club/cruising class and the mainstay of this region’s yacht racing, one or two highly competitive IRC classes. And, of course, the old ladies of the regatta, the striking classic boats competing for the Seraph Perpetual Trophy.

While the Firefly skippers are wondering if Thailand’s newly-arrived Corsair trimarans will dare to mount a challenge in Firefly home waters, the faster monohull boys would welcome some competition from Malaysian yachtsmen who, according to Mata Hari skipper, Vincent Chan, “… are at a disadvantage because of the lack of competitive practice…” With the usually consistent strong breezes off Phuket in July, the ‘practice’ doesn’t get much more competitive... but beating the local boys is another matter altogether. Then, the dark horse on the water this year – making its racing debut after breaking up in a 40-knot squall during the 2006 Koh Samui Regatta – is the super-fast F28 catamaran, rebuilt at Latitude 8’s Phuket boatyard. According to the owners, “Our primary objective at Raceweek is to take line honours in every race.”

Demonstrating that event sponsorship brings tangible benefits directly to participants, the first-time support from Rodenstock, Mont Clair Wines and Johnny Walker will fund a late afternoon Rodenstock Happy Hour and a free-flow open bar throughout all the official regatta parties.

Returning to join the newcomers on the sponsorship front are avid supporters of Thailand’s regatta scene, Raimon Land, who are firm in their conviction that up-market property development and yachting are part of the same premium ‘lifestyle’ scene.

Media partners throughout Asia and Australia will take Raceweek news and views to a wide readership in the boating, business, entertainment, travel, lifestyle, national and local Phuket press, while – a first for Raceweek – a special Raceweek programme, commissioned by the organisers, will be televised worldwide on sporting and lifestyle channels such as CNN Mainsail, Eurosport, Star Sports, the European Sailing Channel and many more – a total potential audience of 140 million households.

In an exciting move that’s a first for Thailand’s regatta scene, Six Senses Phuket Raceweek 2008 will incorporate the inaugural  ‘NRG Cup’, an event-within-an-event, where participants in the Oil & Gas Industry can compete for this brand new trophy against their colleagues and business associates from around the region, whilst still racing in the main event against all-comers. "Our industry is competitive, fearless and spirited, and this first edition of the NRG Cup should be no different," said Benjamin Dupal, CEO of NRG Engineering, who conceived the idea for the NRG Cup. The NRG Cup is expected to attract at least 10 boats and crews that have never before competed in Phuket's ‘Green Season’ regatta. For more information, contact info@nrgcup2008.com

Attracted by excellent sailing in mostly reliable breezes of 15 knots upwards and a hard-to-beat social scene, entries are expected to top previous years, although organisers Image Asia are not yet predicting numbers.

“Experience has shown us that it is simply not possible to know in advance how many boats will take part,” said Image Asia MD, Grenville Fordham. “The racing community is notorious for leaving their registration until the last minute, so – while we’ll start to build a picture as Raceweek gets closer – we can’t be absolutely sure who’s coming until registration day,” he added, noting that that the early-bird registration incentive was aimed at tackling this problem.

With formal backing from the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, the Sports Authority of Thailand and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Six Senses Phuket Raceweek 2008 is solidly supported by Thai authorities, demonstrating their advancing commitment to yacht racing. The regatta is run under the auspices of the Ao Chalong Yacht Club.

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PRESS RELEASE: Phuket, Thailand: 21 December 2007
Six Senses Phuket Raceweek - The 'Green Season' opportunity

"I strongly recommend anyone looking for a relaxed but competitive yachting regatta in the middle of next [Southern Hemisphere] winter to consider Phuket Raceweek 2008," wrote Peter Ahern, Rear Commodore of Perth's Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, in the club's publication 'Tidings'.

Ahern — a veteran of Asia's regatta circuit — together with a team from Freshwater Bay, had just competed for the first time in Phuket Raceweek.

Most exciting regatta
The 5th Six Senses Phuket Raceweek 2008 — described by Phuket's Ao Chalong Yacht Club Commodore, Mick Kealy, as "The most exciting mixed fleet regatta this region has seen for some time" — will be held from July 23-27, 2008 at one of Phuket Island's top 5-star resorts, the Evason Phuket & Six Senses Spa.

With racing over four consecutive days, and five nights of magical beachside parties, Six Senses Phuket Raceweek is unique amongst Asian regattas. "After a hard day on the water, the last thing most competitors want is to scramble aboard buses to regatta parties an hour or so away," said Grenville Fordham, Managing Director of Raceweek organisers Image Asia.

One regatta, one venue
"We do our best to keep as much of the social programme as possible — post-race Regatta Tavern, prizegivings and parties — in the same Evason beachside location, all a stone's throw from the regatta administration office," he added.

Great deals on charter and hotels
Fordham describes this regatta as the perfect opportunity for overseas participants to take advantage of Phuket's low season hotel and yacht charter rates, while racing at a time of year that usually offers the most reliable southwest monsoon breezes.

"Phuket's available-for-charter fleet has expanded dramatically over the last few years, since the Thai government abolished import duties on yachts," said Fordham, adding that some highly competitive boats are amongst the fleet.

For participants and their families who want to stay on-site at the regatta HQ, Evason Phuket is offering special regatta room rates which, starting at 3,700 Thai Baht net (about US$ 120), are around 70% below high season Internet rates.

Alternatively, close by are many budget bungalow resorts, including Big A Resort, owned and operated by well-known local yachtsman and regatta supporter, Horst Latkis.

Your own mini-regatta
Visiting participants who like the idea of competing against friends from home, neighbouring yacht clubs or industry colleagues, for a special trophy — within the framework of the main event — should contact the organisers to explore possibilities. "Raceweek is primarily a fun event, although the racing does get serious," said Fordham, adding, "To make it even more fun for visiting competitors who are able to put together a few 'teams', we'd be delighted to explore ways of staging a 'challenge' trophy just for them."

Six Senses Phuket Raceweek on international TV
For the first time, Six Senses Phuket Raceweek will be broadcast on international television. Image Asia has contracted the UK-based television company, ProActive TV, to produce and distribute a Raceweek TV programme. World-wide distribution is guaranteed, via the Watersports World programme, throughout Asia on ESPN Star, Europe via the Sailing Channel and as a news feature through Eurosport, CNN and Transworld Sport.

Based on ProActive TV's current distribution channels, the total potential audience is 140 million homes. ProActive TV is a specialist sports TV production and distribution company that has been covering the Phuket King's Cup Regatta for many years.

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PRESS RELEASE: Phuket, Thailand: 23 November 2007
Six Senses sign as Title Sponsor of Phuket Raceweek 2008

In a move that is sure to be welcomed by Asian-based regatta participants, Six Senses Resorts and Spas have yesterday confirmed that they will take the top spot in 2008 as Title Sponsor of Thailand’s monsoon season regatta, Phuket Raceweek, now gearing up for its 5th year.

Six Senses Phuket Raceweek 2008, described by participants as “…the most exciting mixed fleet regatta this region has seen in quite some time…”, will be held from 23 - 27 July 2008 at the Evason Phuket & Six Senses Spa on Phuket Island’s southeast coast.

“Six Senses are delighted to be associated with this prestigious event because sailing as a sport fits with our core purpose ‘to create enriching and innovative experience in a sustainable environment’,” said Six Senses Chairman & CEO, Sonu Shivdasani. “We look forward over the coming year to working closely with the organisers so that, together, we can build on what has already been achieved and confirm Six Senses Phuket Raceweek as one of the region’s top sailing events,” he added.

Six Senses is a resort and spa management and development company operating properties and products branded as Soneva, Evason Hideaways, Evason, Six Senses Spas and Six Senses Gallery.

Evason Phuket has been the Raceweek base from the first event and has proven to be one of Asia’s most treasured regatta venues. Just a few minutes from the racing start line, the Evason’s regatta HQ lends itself to organiser IMAGE asia’s unique one-regatta-one-venue policy, with registration, post-race regatta bar, prizegivings and parties all in the same waterside location.

“The entire team at Evason Phuket has enjoyed hosting Phuket Raceweek since the first event in 2004. In becoming the title sponsor under the Six Senses brand, this will continue to promote new awareness of the region as a premier sailing destination,” said Henry Gray, Area General Manger, Evason Phuket & Six Senses Spa, adding, “We’re all looking forward to another successful Raceweek in 2008."

Joining Six Senses as a new Co-Sponsor of Raceweek in 2008 is Rodenstock, the prestigious manufacturer of German eyewear, already making big waves in Asian markets.

“We’re very excited about these two sponsorship developments, particularly as they’ve come in so soon after we started marketing the 2008 event,” said IMAGE asia’s managing director, Grenville Fordham, adding, “We’ve run Raceweek on a very tight budget to date, so Six Senses and Rodenstock coming on board mean we’ll have more resources to put into next year’s regatta.

"We’re still working on our 2008 plans, but we can say now that 2008 will see bigger and better parties at Evason Phuket, early evening Happy Hours and more extensive international media coverage.”

Fordham noted that he anticipates confirming the same broad range of national and international media partnerships for 2008 as the event enjoyed in 2007.

Increased levels of sponsorship, he went on to explain, also mean more resources available to work on getting the message out to a broader range of international participants, either bringing their own yachts from other regional bases, or flying in to charter at low season rates from Phuket’s large charter fleet.

“The great support and enthusiasm we’ve had from the Evason Phuket team over the years has helped create the combination of quality, relaxed fun and friendliness that brings Raceweek participants back every year. We’re now looking forward to working with Six Senses’ team of marketing professionals that will enable us to reach out to a much wider audience than we have previously, specifically promoting unique accommodation/sailing/racing packages,” said Fordham.

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2007 – ROUND-UP

The 4th Evason Phuket Raceweek 2007 delivered an abundance of memorable moments right up to the final day of racing, as crews fought it out to finish on top in – eventually – perfect conditions.

Billed as ‘Asia’s Windiest Regatta’ by organisers Image Asia Events, after three years of consistently strong southwest monsoon breezes, nature refused to co-operate with the billing in year four.

After a week of shifting winds, the final day's racing was no different, with the breeze continually changing direction or dropping out completely – as if it thought that by hindering the start of the racing it could make the event last even longer.

Off the water, four nights of glittering parties at Evason Phuket & Six Senses Spa, with live music every afternoon and evening from ‘The Fabulous Hepcats’, were complemented by the Raimon Land party at Ratri Jazztaurant, with dazzling views over Kata Bay. Then there was an exclusive cocktail party on board the 165 ft, 101-year-old, Edwardian motor vessel Kalizma (formerly owned by Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor) contrasting with the more down-to-earth ‘Pig Roast Party’ at Big A Resort, owned by veteran yachtsman Horst Lakits.

Despite (or perhaps because of) the unpredictable weather, Evason Phuket Raceweek 2007 exceeded all expectations, proving to be an exhilarating sporting event that tested the skills of sailors and race management alike to the limit, whilst providing more than its share of top-notch off-the-water fun. With numbers creeping up each year from the original 19 boats in 2003 to 29 in 2007, this regatta looks set to grow in success and stature every year.

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2007 RACE REPORT

The overall series winner in IRC 1 had already been decided on Race Day 3, but Scott Duncanson’s Som Tam Express still put in a tactically brilliant performance and finished the sixth race characteristically in the top spot. John Vause’s Ruby Tuesday finished second on the day, with David Lindahl’s La Samudra in third. IRC 1 Series result: 1st Som Tam Express, 2nd Yo!2, 3rd Vino

Peter Dyer’s Madam Butterfly also had a successful week, and the final race was no different as she took first place in IRC 2 Race 6, whilst securing her overall victory in the series. Mike Downard’s Evason Phuket Tua Lek, and Niels Dgenkolf’s Phoenix took second and third place respectively. IRC 2 Series result: 1st Madam Butterfly, 2nd Evason Phuket Tua Lek, 3rd Phoenix

In Multihull Race 5, Chris Runegar’s RLYC Chameleon scored first place after a brilliant race reading the winds perfectly, but it was not enough to take the series from Tim Milner’s Seekronghuk who finished in third place, but after a consistent week took the overall series title. Second place on the final day went to Bob Brindley’s X Catriot. Multihull Series result: 1st Seekronghuk, 2nd X Catriot, 3rd RLYC Chameleon

Speed demon, Roger Kingdon’s Moto Inzi, delivered another blistering performance in the Raimon Land Firefly Class Race 6, thereby securing her dominance in the series overall. Second place went to Bill Phelps’ Twin Sharks, whilst the Godfather of the series, Henry Kaye, took a respectable third place in Mamba. Raimon Land Firefly Class series result: 1st Moto Inzi, 2nd Twin Sharks, 3rd Mamba

Gunther Nutt’s Kerida took first place in Classic Race 4, clinching the series and the ‘Perpetual Seraph Trophy’ for the second year running, with Mark Myking’s Idiom in second and Tom Howard’s Seraph in third position. Classic Class series result: 1st Kerida, 2nd Seraph, 3rd Idiom

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2006 - ROUND-UP

Driving rain and strong winds gusting to more than 20 knots hammered the record fleet of 31 yachts on the final day – The Evason Race Day – of the third Evason Phuket Raceweek. But it was not enough to dampen the spirits of the skippers and their crews, who battled on to finish the final race in trying conditions with very little visibility. As a demonstration of their affection and respect for His Majesty the King of Thailand, on the 60th anniversary of his accession to the throne, on this final day of the regatta the 250 skippers and their crews put away their customary team shirts emblazoned with corporate logos in favour of yellow shirts (yellow is His Majesty's birth colour, traditionally corresponding to the day he was born, a Monday).

Later the same day, dried out and warmed up after the chilly deluge, sailors, friends and families were in jubilant spirits for the overall regatta awards ceremony at a lavish party hosted by Evason Phuket Resort. This year, the organisers were honoured by the presence of Admiral Thaveesak Somapha, YRAT President, who presented the trophies to the regatta winners. He was joined for the occasion by Admiral Thana Boonnark, Admiral of the Royal Thai Navy’s Third Fleet and Rear Admiral Apiwat Sriwattana, YRAT Secretary. Evason Phuket Raceweek, organized by Phuket Boatshow (PIMEX) organisers Image Asia Events, is Thailand’s only ‘Green Season’ regatta and is held in the luxurious 5-star surroundings of the Evason Phuket Resort and Six Senses Spa on Phuket’s southeast coast.

Held this year from 27 – 30 July, Raceweek is more than just a series of yacht races. With six splendid parties wrapped around four days of fast-paced yacht racing, competitors come as much for the social gatherings as for the on-water competition. Social highlights of the week included the Raimon Land Awards Party, held at Ratri Jazztaurant, a spectacular venue perched high on Kata Hill with a panoramic view of Kata Bay and the Evason Phuket Race Day Party with a sumptuous beachside buffet dinner.

This year’s event saw yachtsmen and women from around the world gather in Phuket to race in what is fast-becoming the sailors’ favourite regatta in this region. Participants for Raceweek 2006 included racers from USA, UK, New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Bangkok who flew in to pit their skills against the strong Phuket contingent with their greater knowledge of local conditions.

Despite the last-day downpour, three of the four days of racing, which took place over seven different classes, were held in picture-perfect conditions with bright blue skies complementing stable winds ranging between 15-20 knots – ideal conditions for both the racers and shoreside spectators.

In addition to the usual fleet of sleek racing yachts, fast catamarans and homely cruisers, Raceweek 2006 saw the addition of a Classic Class comprising six spectacular yachts from days gone by. The classics formed part of a birthday celebration for the 100-year-old Phuket-based Danish schooner, Seraph. Now owned by British-born Phuket resident Tom Howard, who operates the boat for upmarket charters, Seraph sank in the Similan Islands in 1991; she was salvaged and restored by a Phuket-based boat builder and has ‘worked’ since then in both Phuket and Pattaya.

Yacht racing and yachting in general are the essence of high value, low-impact island tourism. It is this that brings patrons such as the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Six Senses Group and Raimon Land to offer their support to yacht racing. Raimon Land is also a major supporter of the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, the Phang Nga Bay Regatta and Pattaya’s Top of the Gulf Regatta. The third Evason Phuket Raceweek ended on Sunday with participants, organisers and attending media in high spirits. To quote Asian yachting guru Capt Marty Rijkuris, “There was plenty of wind, close racing and good parties; our hosts Evason Phuket Resort provided one of the best regatta locations in Asia. I can assure you, it does not get any better than this. Image Asia Events must be congratulated for putting on a very slick and professionally run event that other regatta organisers could look at when streamlining their own events.”

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RACE REPORT 2006

In the highly competitive Sportboat Racing Class, former World Junior Sailing Champion Scott Duncanson was the only skipper to finish with a perfect record of six wins from six races on his boat Somtam Express. Duncanson’s boat, a locally-built Phuket 8, was designed by Duncanson’s father especially for the waters off this resort island, and is one of several which race regularly in Thailand’s regattas. Duncanson, from Australia, finished in front of Jim Poulsen’s Phuket 8 Lee Marine Vino and New Zealander Wade Lewis’ Team Simpson Marine on a Beneteau First Class 7.5. The latter boat has been proposed as a one-class design for the upcoming Asian Games.

Thailand-based British skipper David Lindahl kept an almost perfect record over the four days of racing on his boat La Samudra to win the honours in the top flight IRC1 class after some close tussles with the other boats in his division. Lindahl’s fast keelboat finished first in five of the six races; in the only race he didn’t actually win, he finished second.

New Zealander John Vause, also based in Thailand, who fought tooth and nail on his boat Ruby Tuesday in an effort to repeat his 2005 first place, finished a close second on handicap behind Lindahl in five of the six races, in spite of recording five ‘fastest times’ in the six races! Vause took second place in the series, while Malaysia’s Keith Garry, who skippered Beaux Esprits, finished third overall.

Another hotly contested class was IRC2, which ended with the two leading boats level on points after their six races. Last year’s champion Minx, sailed by Ao Chalong Yacht Club Commodore Mick Kealy, was declared the winner after a ‘count-back’ and just beat Stuart Crow on Cinders for the overall trophy. Jim Kane, who was racing his own boat Chetak for the first time, finished third overall behind these two competitive and experienced skippers.

The fastest boats at this regatta by far were the new Firefly catamarans, designed and built in Phuket. The newest Firefly, named Chi Machine, was launched only a few days before racing started, and made a winning debut – as did the first Firefly off the production line, Voodoo Child, in last year’s event,

Chi Machine’s owner, Marc Cudennec, the Hong Kong-based Asia Pacific manager of Elle magazine, won four of the six races in the Multihull Racing Class, but the real winners were a large group of children at nearby Takua Pa. The funds raised from the sponsorship of his boat – he is aiming to raise US$50,000 before the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta in December – are all going to the Tsunami Relief Fund for the Children of Takua Pa, a region hit particularly hard by the 2004 tsunami.

Close behind Chi Machine was the visually stunning red/yellow Firefly, Moto Inzi, which finished second overall after some very close racing in great conditions.

Koh Samui-based John Stall, who chartered Charro for the regatta, was not quick enough to catch the lightning-fast Fireflies, but finished a credible third in every race to come third overall. Stall is one of the original founders of the Koh Samui Regatta and traditionally a strong supporter of other regional regattas.

The bigger and heavier Multihull Performance Cruising Class was won by Chris Runnegar on Chameleon, with Bob Mott’s Kilo second and Jerome Perignon’s Aliocha third. Although a fairly small class this year, it is anticipated that the big-cat class will grow next year, as Bob Mott’s big aluminium ‘Silkline’ cats start to roll out of his Langkawi production facility. In Classic Class, two early wins was enough for Gunther Nutt's Norwegian classic Kerida to clean up, winning the overall series trophy. Nutt also became the first winner of the Seraph Centennial Trophy, presented by Seraph owner Tom Howard. The trophy was hand-crafted from 500-year-old oak taken from Seraph’s original rudder. Julian Hill's Saturday win on Sanook secured him second place and Graeme Chuck's ketch-rigged Anjuna stayed amongst the leaders to secure third place overall. In the keelboat Club Class, Greg Plunkett's Sunsail Princess Isabella achieved complete dominance over Kevin Ashby's Lily, winning every race, to wrap up the overall title. Due to technical problems immediately before the first race, Richard Bell’s Sun Flyer did not compete.

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Six Senses Phuket Raceweek enjoys the support of Tourism Authority of Thailand, Sports Authority of Thailand, Yacht Racing Association of Thailand and Ao Chalong Yacht Club

Marketing support by Paul Poole (South East Asia) Co., Ltd