Phuket gets a new Triathlon

PHUKET, 

Hot on the heels of the London 2012 Olympics, the Governor of Phuket together with the Absolute World Group, International Sports Events Consulting (ISEC) and the International Triathlon Union (ITU), announce Phuket will host the Absolute Phuket ITU LD World Series Triathlon 2013. One of only eight in the prestigious ITU Long Distance World Triathlon Series, the Phuket Triathlon will take place 4^th and 5^th May 2013 in Patong.

The event expects over 600 athletes including top professional athletes, Olympians and World Champions who will line-up alongside amateurs to participate in Phuket’s first ITU triathlon event, the Absolute Phuket ITU LD World Series Triathlon 2013.

The Absolute Phuket ITU LD World Series Triathlon 2013 is strategically positioned in the global triathlon calendar, at the beginning of the Europe and USA seasons, and will attract many elite and amateur triathletes to compete in Phuket’s warmer climate, together with a large showing from Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Korea, Japan, Australia and Thailand. More than 25 countries will be represented in the first year.

 The Course.

The course runs though Phuket’s stunning coastline and west coast beaches of the Andaman Sea. Athletes start with an open water swim off Patong Beach, transition to their bikes and race south past Karon Beach to Kata Beach, and back – a technical and hilly route, where one lap is approximately 25km. The run is a flat road race around Patong, heading south along the beachfront, with one lap approximately 5km. The finish will be on Bangla Road, in the heart of Patong.

Taking place over the weekend of 4^th and 5^th May. Consisting of three disciplines – swim/ bike/ run – the two days will include a number of distances and race formats, including Sprint (750m/ 20km/ 5km), Olympic Distance (1.5km/ 40km/ 10km), team relay, celebrity relay and ITU Kids. On Sunday 5^th May, the main event will be the Double Olympic Distance race (3km/ 80km/ 20km).

Kathu Street Culture 2012

Kathu Street Culture

gets going with a huge paarde in the centre of Kathu Phuket.

Today saturday the 4th August was the opening with a beautiful parade of the Street Culture Kathu fair which is open until the 6th .

Please take the time to look at the gallery we have just uploded.

Phuket Raceweek Final day

22 July 2012 (PHUKET)

The best was saved for last as the final day of the 2012 Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek saw 10-12 knots of breeze gusting to 15, and some spectacular competition around the southern islands of Phuket, which brought to an end an exciting and successful week.

Two races – a windward/leeward and an islands course – for all except the Classics was the decision by Race Officer Simon James for the Cape Panwa Hotel Race Day, and the fresh breeze delivered some great sailing, and surprises to the results table.

IRC Racing.

Jing Jing (Rick Pointon) went into the last day with a clear lead in IRC Racing I and IRC Overall classes, and looked unlikely to give it up. In the stronger winds, the all-new Aquila Reichel Pugh 45 Katsu (Ben Copley) performed well and put in solid last day performance scoring two firsts, pulling them up the leader-board into second overall in IRC Racing I. Despite a 2,3 on the day Jing Jing won both IRC Racing I and IRC Overall comfortably. Wan Marang (Kevin Whitcraft) finished third overall in IRC Racing I.

Sportsboats.

In the Sportsboats class, racing went down to the wire, the winner being decided on the final race. A first in Race 1 left the Phuket 8 Surf Patrol (Ray Waldron) in a strong position, however, on the longer course Race 2 they were beaten by the Welbourn 25 Brace! Brace!! Brace!!! (Paul Murphy), with its Dynamic Stability System. But that was not enough to knock them off the top spot and Surf Patrol won the series by two points with Brace! Brace!! Brace!!! in second and Longitude (Rolf Heemskerk) third.

Skandia Endeavour of Whitby (Stuart Williamson) and Phoenix (Niels Degenkolw) started the day tied on points with all to play for in IRC Racing II. However, surprises were yet to come. Skandia Endeavour of Whitby won the first race but placed fifth in the last race, letting Ruby Tuesday (John Vause) in with two second places today, enough to take the title by a single point. Phoenix were third overall.

Two points separated the top three in IRC Cruising going into the last two races today and all was set for a climatic encounter. A collision at the pin-end of the startline between Jenzminc VI (Andy Brennan) and Dreamtime (Rob Azzopardi) added to the intensity. Sail in Asia (Mike Downard) won line honours and the win on corrected time in Race 1, and held on to beat Remington (Jim Ellis) buy one minute on corrected time in Race 2 to win the series by two points. Remington were second overall and Dreamtime third.

In the Firefly One-Design class Voodoo (Hans Rahmann) had already wrapped up the title yesterday with a masterclass of multihull sailing. They went on to score another first today to underscore their superiority. Moto Inzi (Roger Kingdon) scored a 4,1 to finish second overall with Twin Sharks (John Newnham) in third.

Multihull.

The Andaman Cabriolet catamaran DaVinci (Mark Pescott) had already won the Multihull Racing title yesterday with an unbeatable run of first places, and today continued their impressive form with two more wins, making it eight from eight. Add to that five from five at the Phuket Multihull Regatta one week ago and DaVinci are 13 races undefeated. The other Andaman Cabriolet design, Nina (Rob Cullen), finished second overall ahead of Sweet Chariot (Henry Kaye), who enjoyed today’s stronger winds, in third.

In the Classic class, the top two were tied on points and all could be lost (or gained) on the final race. McBob The Boat (Joe Gruba) threw away their chance by finishing fourth, leaving the door open for Sirius (Simon Morris) who won today and topped the series with 4 points.

34 entries and over 500 participants from around the world took part in the 2012 Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek. Final prizes were presented by at a lavish beachside party at the Cape Panwa Hotel.

Website: www.phuketraceweek.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/phuketraceweekregatta
Photos: www.phuketraceweek.com/high_res_media_download.htm

Media Contact:
Duncan Worthington (English)
Infinity Communications
Tel: +66 (0) 81 893 4006
Email: bdm@infinity-comms.com

Youth sailing in Phuket

Phuket FM Radio and Sunsail get together to promote Youth sailing in Phuket

Absolute World Group

Absolute World Group Promotes Mike Hall to

Managing Director Asia Pacific

(8 May 2012)  Inline with the recent completion of their Bali operation and continued expansion throughout Asia Pacific, the Absolute World Group are delighted to announce the promotion of Mike Hall, the Group’s current General Manager for Thailand, to Managing Director Asia Pacific.

Mike Hall joined the Absolute World Group in February 2011 and has worked alongside the Group’s strategic Management team to spearhead a range of exciting initiatives from new sales operations to lead generation programs to resort openings, whilst managing an extensive sales force across Asia.

Mike Hall is one of the early pioneers of vacation ownership with a wealth of global experience in resort and vacation club operations. He has also worked with fractional sales in the marine and real estate industries, which has proved instrumental in the set up of Absolute Fractionals Marine Division and the recent shared ownership launch of a stunning Elan 42 Motor Yacht in Thailand. His international business acumen from time at companies such as Ford Motor Company Europe, ensures Mr Hall is well positioned to continue the Absolute World Group’s growth as one of Asia’s leading vacation ownership organisations.

Bryan Lunt, Absolute World Group Chairman & CEO said,“Mike joined us at a time when global markets have been experiencing a downturn, however he has continued to drive growth of the Absolute World Group in key areas such as Bali and Australia and to that effect, he has been deservedly promoted and will continue to assist in our growth throughout Asia.”

Phuket International Women’s Club

Monthly Newsletter May 2012

Phuket International Women’s Club (PIWC) is a social network providing educational opportunities for needy children. A not-for-profit organization, the club was set up in 1989 and has been growing ever since. It promotes friendship among women of all nationalities- including welcome support and information to newcomers living in Phuket, Thailand

Current Monthly Activities

Regular Weekly activities

Health and Fitness Festival 2012

Health and Fitness Festival 2012

FRIDAY 11th MAY

19:00 Mangosteen: Media Launch and Official Opening

SATURDAY 12th MAY

08:00 Nai Harn Lake: Yoga Class – Ocean Bloom / USA

10:00 Atmanjai: Hard Core Training – Ocean Bloom / USA

10:00 Mangosteen: Adapting principles of Ayurveda & Yoga in ones lifestyle – Dr Subash / India

10:00 Serenity: Organic Cooking Class

12:00 Atmanjai: Zumba Class – Sophie & Elise

13:30 Atmanjai: Kundalini Yoga Class – Sukh Aman Kaur / UK

15:00 Atmanjai: Fit Heart, Mind & Soul – Dr Judy Hinwood / Aus

15:00 Mangosteen: Satvik food – Food and cooking concepts for a Healthy Detoxed Self – Dr Subash / India

15:00 Serenity: Raw Nutrition – Sylvie / USA

19:00 Serenity: Pool Party

SUNDAY 13th MAY

08:00 Nai Harn Lake: Yoga Class – Ocean Bloom / USA

10:00 Atmanjai: Busting Negative Health Habits – Tim Robins / UK

10:00 Mangosteen: Eye yoga – Yoga for the eyes strained by screens – Dr Subash / India

10:00 Serenity Organic Cooking Class

11:00 Mangosteen: Hands on experience in performing The Indian Head Massage – Dr Subash / India

12:00 Atmanjai: Theory of Meditation – Tobi Warzinek / Swiss

14:30 Atmanjai: Expect a Miracle School – Dr John Hinwood / Aust.

19:00 Atmanjai: Meditation – John Campbell / UK

TICKETS Bt2,200

EARLY BIRD PRICING FOR RESIDENTS Bt1,900.

Iron Kids Phuket 2012

Phuket Cricket Sixes 2012

“MG7 Crowned Champions at the Phuket International Cricket Sixes”

US$6,000 raised during ACST Phuket Cricket Week for Junior Cricket Development

MG7 from Kuwait were last night crowned Cup champions for the first time of the 9th annual Phuket International Cricket Sixes following their victory in the Cup final over compatriots the Skylarks.

Finals day of the 9th Phuket International Cricket Sixes was played under glorious sunshine at the Kata Group Sports Ground in Chalong, Thailand. The twenty-four teams competing in the ICC award winning tournament were ranked one to twenty-four and placed in Cup, Bowl, Plate and Spoon divisions following the completion of the rain affected Round One.

At the end of Round One Shepperton Sharks from Australia were ranked in first place after an impressive unbeaten run. Curtin Victoria Park were ranked 24th.

In Cup action, MG7 from Kuwait had earned themselves a place in the final with a solid victory over Gauhati Town from India. Gauhati put on a modest 34 runs which Audi and Faisal smashed off in just 10 balls.

Skylarks, also from Kuwait, made it an all-Kuwait final with their victory over St Frances de Sales. St Frances struggled to 35 runs against accurate Skylark bowling, Hammer top scoring with 24 runs. Skylarks knocked off the required runs with an over to spare.

The Cup final was a very one sided affair once MG7 had posted a challenging 85 runs. Audi, who was named Player of the Final and Player of the Tournament, retired on 30 not out and was supported by Ahmed and Casino. Skylarks in their innings quickly lost their star batsman Razzak for just 2 runs and then collapsed all out for just 28 giving MG7 their first Cup victory in Phuket. The trophy was presented by Khun Andrew of the Kata Group.

Southern Stars lifted the Plate trophy following a very narrow win over St Frances. St Frances had notched up 58 runs, Big Job top scoring with 25 runs. The Stars won the final with a single off the last ball of the match having Pinky to thank for guiding his side to victory with 33 not out. Pinky was named Player of the Final.

The Bowl final was an entertaining affair between the CBB SCs and the Singapore Slingers. Batting first the Slingers, featuring Vicky and Rajesh, put on 68 for 4, Karthik scored 23 and Mahesh 20 for the Singsongers. Reds then led the CBBers to the win with 31 not out as the Sixes veterans won with an over to spare. Reds was awarded the Player of the Final trophy.

The Spoon trophy was won by Baulkham Hills CC with 3 balls to spare against Pinjarra CC. Latts top scored for Pinjarra with 28 not out as they posted a handy score of 71. However their fellow Aussies timed their run chase perfectly led by Player of the Final Wijesekara who scored 33 not out.

The Sixes Gala Awards Dinner attended by all the teams and officials was again held at the Kata Beach Resort and was kindly sponsored by the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

190,000 Baht Raised for Junior Cricket
It was announced at the dinner that the fund raising activities organised by Carolyn Latter had, thanks to the generosity of the teams, raised a massive 190,000 Baht (approx US$6,100), the highest amount ever raised and easily topping the 158,000 baht raised in 2011. The money raised is administered by the Phuket Junior Cricket Development Fund and used for local activities and programs which benefit the development of junior cricket in Phuket.

The Phuket International Cricket Sixes was the final event of ACST Phuket Cricket Week, a series of cricket tournaments, functions and parties organised by the Asian Cricket Sixes Tour. Thirty six teams plus supporters and officials participated.

For further information see www.phuketsixes.com or contact mark@cricketsixes.com

Phuket Ironkids a successful ‘trial’

Phuket News: Sunday 22nd of April saw the first of the 2012 Phuket Ironkids tests, or trials as the pros call it in preparation for the main Ironkids event in December.

The Phuket Weather has been unusually wet this last week but this morning saw fine sunshine and everyone had a great time.

Further results and information to follow but in the meantime we have uploaded some pictures here and here.