PRESS ARTICLES - Asia-Pacific Boating February 2002

The December 2001 Phuket Invitational was a quiet affair this year, with numbers down in response to the September 11 events. Asia-Pacific Boating correspondent, Lori Ashton, was there.

The Phuket Invitational is the brainchild of Graham Frost, director of Phuket based South East Asia Liveaboards, SEAL. "We believe that South East Asia is one of the finest cruising areas in the world and many superyacht Captains have told us they share the same view" Graham offers.

As a two-time participant and veteran America's Cup sailor and skipper of the 35.43m Yanneke Too, 'Champagne' Charlie Dwyer certainly agrees, "we have been around the world, and everywhere we go, the owner says, 'This is beautiful. It's almost as beautiful as Phuket."

And they certainly made the effort to get to Thailand, as one of the last yachts out of the Red Sea on part of their third world tour, days before the insurers declared this area high risk matching it with absorbitant rates.

The Market Manager of Feadship, Hein Velema, who were the principal sponsors this year, had this to say of the event "The invitational is a unique occasion and, as the world's premier superyacht builder, we welcome the initiative to organize a rendezvous for superyachts in the region. Every year many of our yachts visit the Pacific Rim and all return with exciting stories and experiences. We hope that the Phuket Invitational encourages still more Feadships to discover new cruising grounds in Asia." Hein went on to say "The affairs of September 11 have deterred many yachts from participating this year, however our intention is to sponsor next year as our relationship with Asia continues to grow." Which is good news for the event.

Showboats International and the non-profit International SeaKeepers Society, encompassing 60 people from 16 countries who share a love for the sea and a passion to preserve the oceans, were among the co-sponsors.

The two-day event started with an informal barbeque at the Phuket Yacht Haven Marina. Andy Stephens, Marina Manager, with Karin Maule and Graham Frost formed the Phuket Invitational Organising Committee.

Le Royal Meridien Phuket Yacht Club hosted the race briefing the following evening, chaired again this year by Andy Dowden, of Phuket Marina Services. "Three starts over four hours, boys, will give us the opportunity for good fun and after all, this is about a display of magnificence." When asked about the weather forecast for the race day, Andy replied, "NE, NE, NE from November to April", encouraging laughter from guests, skippers and crew alike.

Under blue skies, sunshine and seven knots of wind, the racing commenced with Yanneke Too and Blue Gold battling I out for the honours. "Foremost," says Graham Frost of the sailing race, "the Phuket Invitational is not a serious competition. It is meant to be a social event, an occasion where owners, skippers and crew can meet together and share the experience."

This sentiment was echoed by Captain de Lange of Blue Gold who, shortly after the start, set everyone right by saying "We are racing now guys, but not sure where. It's certainly not about the race." The superyacht White Rabbit was watching from the windward mark.

The evening cocktail party was hosted by the International SeaKeepers Society aboard Sea Shaw - the owner is an active member - and casually aboard some of the other yachts while viewing one of the season's more special sunsets. The dinner party was co-hosted by Le Royal Meredien Phuket Yacht Club and Feadship.

Graham Frost thanked the sponsors and added, "Unfortunately widespread recognition that South East Asia is a safe, well-supported stunningly beautiful, and endlessly fascinating cruising ground is slow in coming and superyachts that venture this way are still considered by the majority of their colleagues to be intrepid. Phuket Invitational is, therefore, a thank you to you all for visiting Phuket and an opportunity for us to show the wider superyacht fraternity that there is life outside the Mediterranean and Caribbean."