ไทย
Phuket, 24 February 2026: The 29th edition of The Bay Regatta, an international sailing competition, concluded successfully with Team Hollywood from Australia defending its championship title in the Performance Monohull class. The event once again reinforced Thailand’s position as one of Asia’s premier marine sports tourism destinations.
A total of 34 yachts and professional sailors from across the Asia-Pacific region and Europe competed in the four-day Passage Race format, connecting Phuket, Phang Nga, and Krabi from 18–22 February 2026.
Promoting a Sustainable Sailing Tourism Model
For 29 years, The Bay Regatta has been organized by Regattas Asia, distinguishing itself from typical regattas through its unique “moving regatta” format. Instead of operating from a single home marina, competing yachts sail an average of 25 nautical miles per day, docking at a new destination each evening.
This format helps distribute tourism revenue across multiple locations along the race route, benefiting hotels, restaurants, tourism operators, and marine service businesses in each province. The model generates direct economic circulation within local communities while promoting sustainable sports tourism.
Since its inaugural edition in 1998 (B.E. 2541), The Bay Regatta has aimed to showcase the natural beauty of Phang Nga Bay and the islands of Krabi. Now entering its 29th consecutive year, it stands as one of Southeast Asia’s longest-running sailing events.
This year’s participants included sailors from Australia, Hong Kong, Estonia, Germany, the United Kingdom, and other Asia-Pacific countries—reflecting strong international confidence in Thailand as a global marine tourism and sporting hub.
International Standard Competition Across Five Classes
While tourism plays a significant role, the regatta maintains rigorous international racing standards. The 2026 edition featured five competitive classes:
- Performance Monohulls
- IRC Racing
- Monohull Cruising
- OMR Multihulls
- Cruising Multihulls
Team Hollywood (Australia) secured the Performance Monohull championship with a clean sweep of all three completed races, successfully defending its title.
The IRC Racing class delivered the closest contest of the regatta, with Gern Kard (Estonia) clinching victory on countback.
Other class winners included:
- Kimikimi (Hong Kong) – 1st Place, Monohull Cruising
- Parabellum (Hong Kong) – 1st Place, OMR Multihull
- Zephyrus (United Kingdom) – 1st Place, Cruising Multihull
The final day’s race from Ao Nang to Chalong Bay was canceled due to insufficient wind conditions, with overall results determined from the first three days of competition.
A World-Class Sailing Route
A defining highlight of The Bay Regatta is its breathtaking race route, navigating through the iconic limestone karsts of Phang Nga Bay, Koh Yao Yai, and the stunning island landscapes of Krabi—widely recognized as one of the most beautiful sailing routes in the world.
The regatta begins at Ao Po Grand Marina in Phuket, with daily finish points including Koh Yao Yai and Ao Nang in Krabi, seamlessly connecting Thailand’s premier marine tourism destinations.
For nearly three decades, The Bay Regatta has been consistently managed by Regattas Asia, demonstrating the strength of its sponsor network, private sector partnerships, and local community support.
The 30th edition is scheduled for 17–21 February 2027, marking three decades of offshore passage racing in the Andaman Sea.
The Bay Regatta is not only an international sailing competition—it is a model of sustainable integration between sport, tourism, and local economic development, continuously delivering unforgettable experiences for sailors from around the world.
Sponsors and Partners
Ms. Orawintanee Wattana, Organizer of The Bay Regatta and Director of Regattas Asia, stated:
“The 29th edition of The Bay Regatta received tremendous support from a broad network of partners across the marine, tourism, hospitality, and local business sectors. We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand for their invaluable support.”
Supporting partners include Tourismthailand.org, Vacation Village Krabi, Raymarine, Bangkok Airways, Port Takola, Haad Thip Public Company Limited, Really Good Deli, UK Sailmakers, Singha Corporation, Blue Bay Resort Koh Yao Yai, and many others.
For full race results and additional information, please visit: www.bayregatta.com
