Offshore racing comes to Singapore

2005 event prelude to big cash prize race in 2006

A new major international yachting event is soon to take place in Singapore. The Corum Phuket to Singapore Yacht Race (PSYR) is gearing up for its inauguration in January 2005. Organised by the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club (RSYC) and sanctioned by Singapore Sailing Federation with Corum Singapore as the title sponsor, this is the prelude race to the Singapore International Yacht Challenge (SIYC) for the Singapore President’s Cup which will be taking place in 2006.

Held over 8-15 January 2005, this non-stop race will start off at Nai Harn Bay in south of Phuket and finish in Singapore waters. The participating yachts are expected to complete the race in four to five days. The organisers are expecting a fleet of 15 in this non-stop 540 nautical mile race.

The event is designed to introduce two new elements to South East Asian yacht racing - long distance multi-day coastal racing and significant prize money. A grand new trophy on par with RSYC’s Sir Thomas Lipton Cup (1926) is being commissioned for this event and will be endorsed as the Singapore President’s Cup.

The race will be run as a single RORC-IRC class, with prize money awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and line honours. The prelude race in 2005 will see a cash purse at S$10,000 while the SIYC in 2006 has a proposed purse of S$100,000.

Rear Admiral Teo Chee Hean, Singapore’s Minister for Defence and Honorary Member of RSYC, a keen supporter of sailing, will grace the event as the Guest-of-Honour.

Organising Chairman Kent Goeking says of the event: "We are very pleased with the early positive response from both competitors and sponsors to this event. Apparently the concept of a high profile, prize money and non-stop South East Asian yacht race has caught the attention of the international sailing community and all signs point
to a successful event."

Corum, the purveyor of Swiss quality watches, has also confirmed title sponsorship for the event, says Corum's spokesperson: "We are pleased to be part of the Corum Phuket to Singapore Yacht Race. And our Corum Admiral's Cup is a token of victory and celebration. Over time, it remains one of the most coveted universal symbols for nautical sports admirers and enthusiasts alike. We wish all participants a
winning challenge."

Mr Low Teo Ping, President of Singapore Sailing Federation added his support: "Singapore Sailing Federation is pleased to endorse and provide the sanction for the Corum Phuket to Singapore Yacht Race, a locally organised international event.

"The growth potential of keelboat sailing in Singapore is enormous and with an event of such magnitude, we can attract more international racing yachts to race and cruise in Singapore and South-East Asian waters. This can only be good for the future of sailing here and the marinas and yacht clubs in Singapore will stand to benefit from it."

Title sponsor : Corum Singapore (Pte) Ltd
Co-sponsors : Davidoff (distributed by Luxasia Pte Ltd), Sebastien’s
Bistrot, Singapore Sports Council & Singapore Pools
Host Marina in Phuket : Yacht Haven Marina Phuket
Official Beer : Singha
Official Boating Media : Asia-Pacific Boating
Official Logistics Provider : Schenker Stinnes Logistics
Supporting Sponsor : Neil Pryde
Sanctioned by : Singapore Sailing Federation