(1888PressRelease)
April 01, 2009 - A favourite amongst competitive and social sailors, the five day regatta is one of Asia's leading sailing events and is also part of the Asian Yachting Grand Prix Championships, with a full fleet expected from Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai and further a field.
In addition to the competitive sailing, the Sawadee.com Regatta is also about fun parties and is firmly established as a "must attend" regatta on the international sailing circuit and for Expats in Asia. Regatta headquarters are at the Centara Grand Beach Resort, Samui, which has been the home of the regatta since its conception and that has now become synonymous with the event.
Callum Laing is the Chairman of the Regatta for the second year "It's great to have AsiaXPAT as the official regatta online media partner. Their online reach and connectivity throughout Asia will ensure that the Regatta is well promoted and publicized. Every year the event has gone from strength - in 2008 we welcomed over 300 participants from 10 countries and registrations received so far point toward the biggest Samui Regatta to date. The 2009 regatta will also provide great opportunities for individuals, families and groups from throughout the region to join one of the regatta spectator boats and see these races up close whilst enjoying the famous Thai hospitality."
The Regatta will feature five boat classes, IRC-1, IRC-2, Cruising, Sports Boats and Multihulls - ensuring that the on-water action is both competitive and fun to watch. In 2008, Ray Roberts and 'Quantum Racing' won the IRC-1 Class with Matt Allen and 'Ichi Ban' taking the IRC-2 honours. Kipsan Beck and 'Pornstar' lifted the trophy in the Sports Boats Class with Andrew Short and 'Constanza' securing the top Cruising Class placing. Radab Kanjanayanit and 'Cedar Swan' came in first in the Multihull Class.
The skipper receiving the most top placings on the eight regatta Asian circuit will also be crowned Asian Yachting Champion Skipper at the end of the sawadee.com Regatta. In 2008, it was Quantum Racing's Ray Roberts that lifted the trophy and wore the coveted 'Armani Blue Blazer' that was presented at the fabulous prize giving dinner on the lawns of the Centara Grand Beach Resort at Chaweng Beach.
The 2009 regatta will also play host to the second running of the 'Samui Junior Sailing Squadron Challenge' – giving local children from the island the opportunity to be out on the water experiencing the excitement of competitive yacht racing. The challenge is led by John Stall - one of the original founders of the Samui Regatta in 2001. The regatta also provides on-going support to this initiative, contributing Thai Baht 5,000 every month to pay for sailing equipment. In addition, and for the first time, the regatta will partner with the Bluewater International School on Koh Samui in supporting a scholarship programme to help underprivileged children with their education.
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