Olympic hopeful, Mathew Mee to race at Phuket King's Cup Regatta

British youngster, Mathew Mee, member of the Skandia Team GBR Development squad and British Olympic team hopeful is planning to enter the 23rd Phuket King's Cup Regatta, held 28 November to 5 December 2009 at Kata Beach, Phuket, Thailand, with fellow team mates.

Despite his young age, Mee's trophy cabinet is already groaning under the weight of his accomplishments. Wins include the 2004 Merlin Rocket championships and more recently the GP 14 National Championship held in July 2009 at Llandudno in the UK, as well as good placings in the 2008 470 Olympic Class National Ranker for men.

Mee is no stranger to Thailand having competed in the 42nd Fireball World Championship held March 2008 at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club in Pattaya, Thailand. With crew mate Richard Wagstaff, they sailed superbly and took first place against 70 entries from 12 countries.

Weather conditions at the the 2008 Fireball Worlds were strong and variable and Mee's experience of sailing in Thai waters will likely help him at the Phuket King's Cup Regatta.

Mee is a member of the Skandia Team GBR Development squad and is hoping to represent Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics, to be held in the United Kingdom, helming a 470.

Considered by many to be the 'new Ben Ainslie', Mee and two team mates and Olympic hopefuls are joining two other friends to enter a Platu in the 2009 Phuket King's Cup Regatta.

'We are proud to have Matt and team racing our Platu 'Tuay Lek' at this years King's Cup,' commented Mike Downard, Managing Director of Sail In Asia. 'Tuay Lek is a fast 25-foot racer and we're hoping to see more Platus enter the regatta and maybe have a Platu Class this year,' Downard added.

Phuket-based Tuay Lek is sponsored by Coca Cola/Haad Thip Thailand, will be raced by an international team, using local sails made by Khun Ket of 'Local Sails' in Phuket.

'We believe in supporting the local marine industry and Khun Ket makes great sails,' commented Downard.

Tuay Lek won five out of five races in the 2007 Royal Langkawi International Regatta and took first place in the Platu Class, and in the 2007 Phuket Raceweek took home second place in the IRC 1 Class after losing out to Madam Butterfly on the last day.

In preparation for the Phuket King's Cup Regatta (and the London 2012 Olympics), Mee will be sailing on 'Sail Plane' at the 2009 Cowes Week and is hoping to turn in some good results.