Largest ever King's Cup field sets sail in Phuket

The start line for the Bareboat Charter Class on the first day of the 26th Phuket King

The 26th Phuket King's Cup Regatta began in sunshine and strengthening north-easterly winds off Kata Beach yesterday as Utarid, skippered by Malaysian Mohamad Razali Mansor, captured pole position in the IRC Zero Class after three races.

Light winds of 3-8 knots prevailed in the Andaman Sea yesterday morning when 170 boats, the biggest fleet ever in the Asia's premier sailing competition, lined up on the start line.

In the IRC Zero Grand Prix class, regatta committee president Kevin Whitcraft skippered Wan Marang home first in the opening race, but trails in second overall with 7 points after following up with a fourth and a second.

Leading the six-yacht IRC Zero GP pack is Malaysian Mohamad Razali Mansor on Utarid with six points, after winning the second race. Hong Kong's Frank Pong, skippering Jelik, is third.

Foxy Lady 6, helmed by Singaporean Bill Bremner, captured the first-day lead in the IRC One Class, collecting five points from three races. Australian David Fuller aboard Ichi Ban and EFG Mandrake's Nick Burns/Fred Kin are trailing in second and third places respectively.

In the IRC2 class, Aussie Matt Alan, skippering Ban, captured the first two wins, before dropping to second in the third race. He leads the pack on four points. Royal Thai Navy 1, with former national sailor Wiwat Poonpat at the helm, and Kata Rocks' Briton Peter Dyer are second and third.

The Firefly 850 Sports class (speedy catamarans) saw a fierce battle between Hans Rahmann's Voodoo team and Advanced Racing Team of China. Voodoo captured the first-day lead by a point with five points from three races.

The open Multihull class saw Peter Cox in his Thai-registered Mojo rule the opening exchanges with five points, while Japanese Junichi Ishikawa skippered The Beaver into the lead in the Platu One Design, making its debut this year.

The Premier class is headed by Titania of Cowes from the UK, skippered by the experienced Richards Dobbs, ahead of the last year's unrivalled Pine Pacific team, helmed by Ithinai Yingsiri.

The Modern Classics division saw Peter Wood's Windstar pip Nick Band and his Emerald Blue crew in the single race. Ther Bareboat Charter field of 23 boats was spearheaded by Russians Kirill Sakhattzev's Sail Plane team, ahead of Nikiforov Evgenii on Sarawadee.

The fastest live-aboard cruiser was Sansei (Ok-La) captained by Thailand's Patinyakorn Buranrom.

Windsurfing made its comeback this year, with Hong Kong Olympian Chun Leung Michael Cheng claiming top spot after two races in the men's class, while Spanish Olympic gold medallist Marina Alabau Neira and Hong Kong's Chan Hei Man are tied atop the women's class on three points.

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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2012/12/04/largest-ever-kings-cup-field-sets-sail-in-phuket/