play time benny teo reports on the region’s latest sports news
RUN AWAY
Each year, quiet Nakhon Phanom in north-east Thailand fills to the brim with athletes keen to take part in the province’s annual triathlon. Approximately 300 men and women from all over Asia make the plunge into the fast-flowing Mekong River for a 2km swim, followed by a daunting 65km bike race on a circuit that follows a winding riverbank road right into the heart of town. Competitors then have to tackle a gruelling 12km run to the finish.
The event is considered a highlight on the international circuit and is sanctioned by both the International Triathlon Union and Triathlon Union in Asia. 20-21 March, www.tourismthailand.org
SAIL AWAY
The 32nd America’s Cup may be held within the confines of Spanish Valencia, but halfway around the world, along the coast of Thailand, there are a host of regattas and other seaside celebrations. The past three months have witnessed a number of exciting annual events that include December’s Phuket King’s Cup Regatta (www.kingscup.com) and the Phuket Invitational Superyacht Rendezvous (www.phuket-invitational.com).
The former is Asia’s biggest and most popular international sailing jamboree, while the latter is an exclusive event held at the equally exclusive Amanpuri Resort. Keen yachtsmen should make a note of the following highlights taking place in the coming months.
Top of the Gulf Regatta (3-7 May)
Set alongside the pristine beaches of the Gulf of Thailand during the first week of May each year, this event combines multiple racing classes, from dinghies to keelboats. Hosted by the Ocean Marina Yacht Club, the Regatta features social activities each evening that add a festive spirit to the series. www.topoft.hegulfregatta.com
Koh Samui Regatta (21-27 May)
Each May for the past four years, sailors from all over the world have gathered in Samui in the name of competition and enjoyment.
This event is a must for anyone who is searching for good sailing conditions in an idyllic location, with great restaurants and parties every night. Watch from the shore or charter a boat and get out on the water too! www.samuiregatta.com
Evason Phuket Race Week (27-30 July)
A week-long race off the island’s eastern coast. Based at the luxurious Evason Phuket Resort and Six Senses Spa, this is the perfect opportunity for yachting enthusiasts across the region to compete in a range of categories – from top racing yachts to live-aboard cruisers and charter boats. www.phuketraceweek.com
HAVE A BALL
Hong Kong is the birthplace of International Sevens rugby, and its stadium is still the most high-profile stopover on the tour.
This year’s event is set to be even more special, as the Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens are celebrating 30 years of this rugged sport here in the region (30 March-2 April, www.hksevens.com).
Comprising 24 teams and contested over three days, the competition sees the top eight teams scufle for the Bowl Championship,
while the next eight compete for the Plate and the bottom eight for the Cup. Quarters, semis and finals for each division are all played on an exciting last day.
A week later, teams travel to Singapore for the Standard Chartered Rugby Sevens at Singapore’s National Stadium (8-9 April, ww.singaporesevens.com). There ’ll be a host of activities for spectators, including a fancy dress competition and an O[fb03] cial Sevens Party Street at Clarke Quay.
THE JOYS OF SPRING
As the newest golf club in South-East Asia, Amata Spring Country Club is also one of the most exclusive. The club hosted the Royal Trophy tournament in January, which pitted the best in Asia against a European team led by the legendary Seve Ballesteros. While Europe may have won, it was Asian golf and Amata Spring itself that ultimately benefited the most from the worldwide media exposure.
Stretching over a sprawling 7,300 yards of lawn, the Schmidt-Curley-designed golf course is built around a 60-acre lake and features Asia’s only floating green on its 17th hole. A truly unique golf experience is to shoot the 130-yard green and then take a ferry, complete with uniformed boatmen, across for the putt.
Managed by IMG, this exclusive private club restricts membership to only 200 individuals. Joining fees start at 1.5 million baht for the first 50 members and climb thereaft er to as high as 3 million baht. Tel +66 (0)38 468888, www.theroyaltrophy.com
STRAIGHT THINKING
Having a hard time with long and straight drives off the tee? Get yourself Touredge’s revolutionary new Bazooka QL (Quick Launch) driver. Titanium construction reduces weight in the face and crown, allowing dual tungsten weight screws to be placed in the rear sole and heel. This gives a deeper centre of gravity and helps close the club head at impact to reduce or eliminate the age-old slicing problem. www.touredge.com
THE LONG AND SHORT
As the Irish say, “99% of putts that don’t reach the cup don’t go in, and the other 1% are always short”.
The bottom line is that golf beginners should always play to go beyond the hole. Misses should ideally stop 18 inches aft er the hole, but practice makes perfect. It’s better to be long by three feet than short by six inches. At least you know that the miss might have gone in, had it been lined up correctly.
From www.free-golf-tip.com
NEW RELEASE
GOLF, A Tribute (Europe), the world’s biggest golf book, has made its way to Asia. Golfing great Seve Ballesteros presented a copy of this limited edition series to HM The King of Thailand at the inaugural Royal Trophy tournament at Amata Spring Country Club, which was accepted on his behalf by Principal Private Secretary Mr Arsa Sarasin. This special gift was a humble show of appreciation for His Majesty’s donation of the Royal Trophy, the principal award for the winning team at this golf competition between Europe and Asia.
Limited to 3,000 numbered copies and signed by both Seve Ballesteros and renowned photographer Kurt Deruyter, GOLF, A Tribute measures a huge 70cm by 60cm when closed and contains a selection of Europe’s most beautiful golf courses.
An Asian edition is currently in the making and expected later in the year. www.golfatribute.com
