All systems go for 2015 Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek

by Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Race Week 11 Jul 2015 14:44 BST 15-19 July 2015

Weather conditions

Phuket and the surrounding area are currently experiencing strong winds and weather forecasts predict this to continue through the weekend and into early next week. As a safety measure, Phuket's Marine Office 5 recently issued an order for all boats under 24 metres in length to remain in port and not put to sea.

Commenting on the order, Mr. Byron Jones, Managing Director of organisers Media Business Services Co. Ltd. (MBS), said "We are aware of the Marine Office 5's order and their concerns, and safety is also our top priority."

"At this stage we are monitoring the situation. Looking at long-term weather forecasts the winds are predicted to drop prior to Phuket Raceweek. If this is the case then there will be no impact on Raceweek and participants, and the regatta will go ahead as planned."

"We want to ensure a safe sailing environment and regatta experience for all and are monitoring a variety of sources of information on the current situation. We will keep sailors and participants updated through direct communications, the event website and our social media channels".

On your marks, get set...

Are you ready for Raceweek? Just one week to go and it's time to make sure all is in order. The Sailing Instructions are online here. Download them as a PDF file and read them at your leisure. The scheduled time of the warning signal for the first race each day will be 1000 hours, and check out the number of races for each class:

• For IRC 1, IRC 2, IRC Cruising, Corsair, Firefly and Multihull Classes there will be up to eight races, of which three races shall be completed to constitute a series.
• For the Charter Class there will be up to five races, of which three races shall be completed to constitute a series.

For the courses, you can also download them from the website here. There's a total of 43 courses for the Race Management to choose from and by the looks of the expected weather for Raceweek that course flexibility may well prove essential.

Check out the full programme of events here.

How can non-sailors get involved?

If you're a non-sailing family member, friend or you just want to get in on the action, there's plenty to do during the 2015 Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek.

Firstly are the parties. Four great beachside parties are the highlight of the onshore activities during Raceweek. Tickets are available party-by-party, or at a reduced price for a combined four-party ticket. Prices are as follows:

• Wednesday 15th only = 1,200THB
• Thursday 16th only = 800THB
• Saturday 18th only = 800THB
• Sunday 19th only = 1,800THB
• Combined four-party ticket = 4,200THB

Note: there is no party on Friday 17th.

Check the schedule for party times here.

As is tradition, Phuket Raceweek will have free-flowing beer, wine and spirits throughout all four regatta parties, courtesy of Official Suppliers Mount Gay Rum, Peroni Beer and Finca de Malpica wine.

If you're interested to catch-up on the days activities and find out all the sailing gossip, head down to Cape Panwa Hotel any race day in the early afternoon and enjoy ice-cold post-race beers at great prices. The Regatta Bar at the beach, is the place to gather off the water and chew the fat.

As co-hosts of the regatta, both Cape Panwa Hotel and Kantary Bay Hotel offer a wide choice of relaxing and dining options – day and evening – including some great spa offerings.

Regatta venue and shuttle buses

The "Regatta Venue Site Plan" is now live on the event website homepage – www.phuketraceweek.com. Click on it to enlarge and you can see the entire area layout at the beach front, the party area and Regatta Village.

For those using staying offsite and using the shuttle bus to and from the venue, please take note of the pick-up and drop-off points marked on the site plan.

Multihull Solutions Regatta Phuket

Phuket Raceweek wish all the multihulls competing in the Multihull Solutions Regatta Phuket 2015, held 9-12 July at Ao Chalong Yacht Club, the very best of luck, safe and good racing.

The most social regatta around

We've been telling the world about what a great place Phuket is to sail and if you wish to join us, please like, follow and share our social media channels and posts. And tell your friends.

For more information, visit www.phuketraceweek.com.