Inaugural Junior Phuket Raceweek set for 20th July

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Inaugural Junior Phuket Raceweek set for 20th July
Strong line-up of Thai and international youngsters to compete in Optimist and Topper classes.


Optimists are set to compete off Panwa Cape in the inaugural Junior Phuket Raceweek. Photo by MarineScene.asia.

PHUKET: -- The inaugural Junior Phuket Raceweek is shaping up with a strong line-up of Thai and international youth sailors competing in two classes, Optimist and Topper.

Organised by Media Business Services (MBS) and co-hosted by Regent Phuket Cape Panwa and Panwa Beach Resort Phuket, the youth regatta starts with an opening reception on Friday 19th July at Regent Cape Panwa followed by one day of racing on Saturday 20th July and a beach barbecue and prize-giving at Panwa Beach Resort Phuket.

Royal Thai Navy Rear Admiral Prasart Sribhadung is confirmed to be the Race Officer for the inaugural one-day event and will set upto six races, a combination of trapezoid and windward/leeward courses, for the multinational fleet of youngsters.

Since it was announced earlier in the year, Junior Phuket Raceweek has been well received by the local sailing community and has received strong support from two of the leading yacht clubs on the Island, Ao Chalong Yacht Club (ACYC) and the Phuket Youth Sailing Club (PYSC).

More recently, the Royal Thai Navy has pledged safety support for the event, further underscoring the organiser's goal to make it a community event.

“From the beginning we wanted to create a competitive sailing opportunity for youngsters on the Island, and welcome youngsters from afar. And with the support of the two leading yacht clubs and now support from the Royal Thai Navy, its great to see the Island sailing community coming together and getting behind Junior Phuket Raceweek,” said Byron Jones, Managing Director of organisers Media Business Services (MBS).

Phuket's east coast and the Panwa area offers some of the best sailing conditions on the Island during July, and together with co-hosts Regent Phuket Cape Panwa and Panwa Beach Resort Phuket, the area is an ideal location for the inaugural Junior Phuket Raceweek.

The fleet for 2013 Junior Phuket Raceweek includes lots of young sailing talent ranging from seven to 18 years of age. Nattapong Yoangngam (Max) and Cartoon Juladej (Toon), despite being just 11 years old, have competed in multiple Thailand National Optimist Championships, have represented Phuket in the Phuket Youth Games, and have also represented Thailand at the Double Star Cup Regatta in Qingdao, China last year, in their sailing careers to date and will be up against some strong competition

Flying in from overseas specifically for the event is seven year old George, son of regular Firefly competitor Neil Ayres. While George has his work cut out on Saturday 20th July against a top fleet, his father is also against some top sailors in the Firefly 850 Sport class and together they are hoping to take home some silverware for the family.

Junior Phuket Raceweek is a parallel event to the award-winning Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek, which is co-organised by MBS and celebrates its 10th Anniversary this year.

Registration for Junior Phuket Raceweek will take place on Friday 19th July at Regent Phuket Cape Panwa between 13:00 and 17:00, followed by an opening party, with racing on Saturday 20th July.

Junior Phuket Raceweek is supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Sports Authority of Thailand, the Royal Thai Navy and the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand.

For more information: www.juniorphuketraceweek.com

-- 2013-07-17