Phuket Kiteboarding at King’s Cup

PHUKET King’s Cup Regatta organizers have announced that the 2011 event will include a demonstation of the exciting sport of kiteboarding to be hosted by Kiteboard Tour Asia (KTA).

The introduction of this adrenaline-fuelled sport to this year’s event will enhance the Regatta’s 25^th anniversary celebrations and emphasize the recognition of kiteboarding’s development and popularity as a sailing discipline.

Kevin Whitcraft, President of the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta Organising Committee, expressed his enthusiasm for the introduction of kiteboarding to the Regatta’s schedule.

“We’re delighted to welcome an exhibition event by Kiteboard Tour Asia at this year’s Phuket King’s Cup. This is a bold step for us in terms of boardening the Regatta, and we hove this new element will have very strong appeal to kiteboarding enthusiasts and a younger sailing audience,” ecplained Kevin.

“Kiteboarding continues to grow in popularity in Asia, and Thailand in particular offers and accessible and exciting opportunity for anyone who wishes to see pro kiteboarding events,” he added.

Tour director of KTA, Willy Kerr, hopes the Regatta platform will help drive the sports’ following in the  region.

“This year’s Phuket King’s Cup Regatta will feature a thrilling KTA Race event which will be a unique addition on the Phuket King’s Cup. There is a growing interest in the sport across much of Southeast Asia, and we’re very excited to be able to bring this spectacle to people who may not be familiar with the styliish, cool fun of the professional kiteboarding scene.”

Twenty top-class kiteboarders are expected to take part, combining talent from Asia and international pro riders from the World Tour.

Two-time Asia Champion from Thailand, Narapichit “Yo” Pudla, will headline the surfing spectacle alongside two-time Asia Freestyle/Race Champion and two-time Japanese Freestyle Champion, Aya Oshima.

Other big names from the international circuit include; Ken Nacor, Philippines Champion and Asia Number 2; Beijing Olympics Silver Medalist (windsurfing), Ho Chi Ho; Turkish KTA Champion and Turkish Freestyle Champion Taner Aykurt; and Kathryn Bogwardt, 2010 and 2011 KTA Ladies Champion.

The Phuket King’s Cup Regatta first sailed in 1987 to celebrate His Majesty the king of Thailand’s 60^th birthday. With the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King, the Regatta is organized by the Phuket King’s CupRegatta Organising Committee under the auspices of the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, in conjunction with the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, the Rpyal Thai Navy and the Province of Phuket.
Phuket Kiteboard