Going head-to-head in IRC Racing 0 this year are two TP52s – Team Hollywood (ex Provezza) and East Sail (ex Team Hollywood). Having been crowned AsianYachting Grand Prix champion last season, Ray Roberts and his Team Hollywood will be looking to get their new season's campaign off to the best of starts this week. A mixed crew of international sailors on East Sail, however – many of which will be competing for their first time at the regatta – will be looking to make life difficult for them.
Photo by Guy Nowell.
In IRC Racing I, last year's winner Aquari (Craig Nicholls) will be lining up alongside another Sydney 40, East Marine Emagine (Scott Bradley). They are up against some tough competition in the form of another past winner, the Corby 36 Jessandra II (Andrew McDermott), and the well campaigned MegaZip sailing with an all Russian crew.
Neils Degenkolv and his crew on Phoenix return to defend their IRC Racing II title and aim to extend their three-year unbeaten run. Looking to upset that record is the “new” Eastern Creek Karts skippered by Raceweek regular, Michael Spies, as well as the Farr 1104 Farrgo Express, who was regularly on the podium last year, and the 25-foot Platu DrPhoto by Guy Nowell.
This year's largest class is set to be the Cruising Monohull Class. Racing neck-and-neck throughout last year's regatta, BeauX Esprits and Lady Bubbly are both back with Lady Bubbly looking to go one better this year. They are up against Linda, Chinon, Venture, Atlanta – who returns after a few years hiatus – Kantus Bride, representing Cape Panwa Hotel, and Lola and Sumalee which is chartered by a crew from China.
The multihull fleet will be split into two classes. Firefly 850 Sports One Design includes last year's winner Twin Sharks, and stalwarts Voodoo, Surf Patrol, Moto Inzi and Blue Nose.
Photo by Guy Nowell.
The all-carbon racing trimaran, Bonza (ex Fugazi), is back with a new name and owner in the Multihull Racing class. They are up against the new Fugazi, a sports cat helmed by Dan Fidock, two Stealth catamarans from the Asia Catamarans yard – Phantom V and Twister 2 – as well as This!, DaVinci and the all-new Sho,Vel skippered by Zam Bevan.
Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek has tailored its successful formula over the past 15 years to create a unique, award-winning event, known around the world for its beachside parties with lavish buffets and free-flow drinks and international-standard racing in the tropics, all centered at the 5-star Cape Panwa Hotel. Organized by Media Business Services, the 16th edition of the award-winning Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek takes place 17 – 21 July, 2019 at Cape Panwa Hotel on Phuket's southeast coast.
Photo by Guy Nowell.
About Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek
Coming into its sixteenth year, Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek is comprised of four days of world-class yacht racing and four nights of beachside parties. Run over six or more classes including IRC, multihull, charter and one-design classes, Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek has gained a reputation for its competitive racing for the serious boat crews and moderate courses around islands for the less experienced racers. It is also the first event of the prestigious 2019/20 AsianYachting Grand Prix.
Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek enjoys the support of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Sports Authority of Thailand, Phuket Yacht Club and the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand.
Regatta Sponsors and Partners
Sponsors and partners of the 2019 Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek include: Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket, Kantary Bay Hotel Phuket, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Mount Gay Rum, Castle Creek Wines, East Marine Asia, Intentional Law Office, Phuket Island Radio, Cape+Kantary Magazine, IMAGE Asia, Luxury Society Asia, Phuket Magazine, SEA Yachting, Yacht Style, Asia Catamarans, ISS Security Services, North Sails, Phuket Siriroj Hospital, Electrical Marine, Phuket Boat Lagoon, Krabi Boat Lagoon, Workforce Marina Asia and Infinity Communications.
Cape Panwa Hotel
Set on the coastal slope in a sheltered cove amidst the swaying palms of a former coconut plantation, Cape Panwa Hotel offers a selection of elegant, sea-facing suites and pool villas. All feature large private balconies and spacious, tastefully decorated interiors with all the comforts of modern day living, such as Internet connections, iPod docks, and DVD players. The six two-bedroom Pool Villas offer an infinity pool and sun deck in stylish privacy while the Panwa Lodge is a luxurious, three-bedroom, colonial style home located right on the beach.
