OVER 40 boats will compete for honors, including the favorites in each class, in the six-day Sawadee.com Regatta, which is set to take off on June 1, organizers said.

Now in its eighth year, Samui’s international yacht regatta has developed into one of Asia’s leading sailing events. A pre-regatta party on May 31 will provide crews with some time to relax before the first regatta challenge on June 1.

With the return of many regatta favorites, tough competition is expected in the six boat classes. Classes in 2009 include Racing, Premier, IRC, Bareboat, Sports Boats and Multihulls.

Neil Pryde’s Hi-Fi and Ray Roberts’ Quantum Racing will provide a formidable challenge in the Racing Class and will be joined by Boracay (Jelik II), Foxy Lady IV, Freefire 52, Mandrake, Katsu, Windsikher and Ichi Ban – making this a must-watch class.

Others returning to Samui to take up the challenge include Pornstar (Sports Boat Class), Constanza (Bareboat Class) and Cedar Swan (Multihull Class). In all, over 40 boats will compete for honors in their respective class, providing a fantastic on-water spectacle.

Known to bring in tourists and spectators and for its great evening parties and fun social events, the Sawadee.com Regatta this year will feature the second edition of the “Samui Junior Sailing Squadron Challenge” – an event that gives island children the opportunity to experience just what it’s like to be in a yachting race. The junior sailors will compete just off the beach in a challenge every bit as competitive as a full regatta.

The regatta week will also see the launch of the Sawadee.com Regatta Samui Bluewater Scholarship – a new scholarship program to support the education of selected local children at the Bluewater School.
Donations from crews and spectators and a first-time beach cleanup on the regatta lay day will raise funds for this scholarship program.

The regatta, which has a new title sponsor in Web Sawasdee Plc, one of Thailand’s leading inbound travel companies, and with support from Centara Grand Beach Resort, Dunlopillo and Singha, will also feature a 12ft Skiff Challenge in the run-up to the main regatta.

Callum Laing, Sawadee.com Regatta chairman, said, “Not only do we have a full fleet registered and already arriving on the island, but the social and party schedule is sure to make this one of the most memorable Asian sailing events of 2009. With the great on-water viewing opportunities, we know that spectators will be in for a real treat. I’m also particularly happy that we can give back to the community – a community that continues to support this regatta and that has helped make it the great spectacle that it is today.”