Superyachts arrive for Phuket Rendezvous

PHUKET: Superyacht spotters in Phuket are in for treat this weekend as some of the finest luxury yachts in Asia ply Phuket’s west coast as part of the annual Asia Superyacht Rendezvous.

The Rendezvous, now in its 11th year, is the longest-running superyacht event in Asia and boasts the largest gathering of superyachts in the region, explained Nina Larsson, Public Relations and Event Manager for the Rendezvous.

Confirmed to join this year’s edition of the premier are the Sailing Yacht (SY) Asia, Motor Yacht (MY) Onyx, MY Maverick, MY Aveline, MY Hye Seas 2, MY Cavallino, MY Andara, MY Celebrity, MY Samax, SY Ciliam and the SY Silandra.

The event gets underway today with the marshaling of the superyachts in Surin Bay, where captains, crew and guests will head ashore to the Surin Hotel.

Race Director Andy Dowden will conduct the Captains’ Briefing at 6pm with sailing instructions for the next day’s course, before loosening his top button for the opening cocktail party on board the MY Andara.

“Andara Resort & Villas Phuket has customized two private motor yachts – the 28-meter Andara and the 35m Celebrity – to explore the coastline and visit nearby islands in absolute luxury,” said Ms Larsson.

“Finished to match the Andara standard, the yachts offer the same level of comfort and service while floating on the crystal clear Andaman Sea,” she added.

The superyachts will get underway at the respectable time of 10:30am tomorrow on their cruising course, to be set according to conditions on the day.

After a jaunt along Phuket’s west coast, the superyachts will reconvene back in Surin Bay in time for The Feadship Challenge and Cocktail Party.

Now a tradition at the Rendezvous, the “Challenge” is a gutter boat race in which crew from the competing yachts are required to construct a unique model boat from a simple kit and with only one team member’s wind power, blow it down a three-meter gutter course amidst cheers from all.

Teams will be competing for nothing less than the glory of being crowned champions for 2011.

The final day of the event this year will see crews contesting the Rendezvous’ first-ever “Treasure Hunt”.

“The Treasure Hunt is an exciting booty scramble that will take place both on land and in the water around the Surin Bay,” Ms Larsson explained.

“It will involve different stations with clues and riddles and will also involve the yachts, crew, owners and guests.” she added.

Mrs Larsson gave no hints as to either what the treasure hunt will require the teams to do or what the prize will be.

“Secrecy is utmost,” she smiled.

The latest fun contest to be added to the Rendezvous marks the event’s growth in appeal to superyacht owners over the past decade.

“While enjoying a luxury yacht setting, some of the Asia Superyacht Rendezvous superyachts stream out for the distinctly different cruising on Thailand’s Andaman coast following our event,” said Gordon Fernandes, General Manager of Asia Pacific Superyachts and co-organizer of the annual prestigious event.

“Owners, captains and crew love visiting Phuket as Southeast Asia offers so much in diversity and adventure. Phuket is stepping up to be the Monaco of the East,” added co-organizer Captain Charles Dwyer of the sailing yacht Yanneke Too, renowned in Phuket as one of the premier cruising yachts in the region.