Record Number of Boats in Pattaya for Top of the Gulf Regatta

Australians Take the Honours at 2010 Top of the Gulf Regatta

Evolution Racing win IRC Racing 1. The Ferret win the Platu Coronation Cup.

04 May 2010, PATTAYA – Good winds and ideal sailing conditions greeted the sailors for the final day of races at the 2010 Top of the Gulf Regatta.

Two races were held for IRC Racing 2, Sports Boats, Ocean Multihulls and Platus today, with one race for IRC Cruising. For IRC Racing 1 they had to re-sail the second race from Day 1, in addition to the scheduled two races of today – two windward-leewards followed by a longer race was PRO Jerry Rollin's game plan.

A late charge was needed by Ichi Ban (Matt Allen) to try to knock Evolution Racing (Ray Roberts) off his perch. Race 1 of the day saw a clear start by the fleet and line honours for Evolution Racing but the win on corrected time was for Ichi Ban. Katsu (Ben Copley) took third. The same course for Race 2 and this time the startline was unexpectedly leisurely with Evolution Racing taking the pin-end and Ichi Ban keeping their distance at the opposite end. Evolution Racing again led the fleet around the course and again fell to second place on corrected time behind Ichi Ban, with Tantrum (Robert van Paridon) in third. The late charged by Ichi Ban was underway.

Going into the final race, which was a re-sail from the first day, and over a longer course, tension was high and the fight was on. Would the distance favour the TP52 (Evolution Racing) or would it give more time to the Beneteau 44.7 (Ichi Ban) to creep back on corrected time?

A little over 1hour 10mins after the start, Evolution Racing took line honours and first on corrected time to seal the series. Less than two minutes behind on corrected time was Ichi Ban, followed by Katsu in third. The second place for Ichi Ban put an end to their late challenge and what was so nearly a big upset. Maybe a TP52 and a Beneteau 44.7 can race in the same class under IRC afterall?

IRC Racing 1 series standings: Evolution Racing (8 points), Ichi Ban (9 points) and Tantrum (20 points), skippered by Robert van Paridon in third.

The win for Australian Ray Roberts (Evolution Racing) means he will be crowned Asian Yachting Grand Prix champion with one more event to go.

In IRC Racing 2, Royal Thai Navy 1 (Damrong Sirisakorn) continued their winning ways with two more bullets today, with El Coyote (Gary Baguley) taking two seconds and Magic Roundabout (David Bell) third in Race 1 and Le Vent (Pote Suyasinto) third in Race 2. Royal Thai Navy 1 (6 points) were out-and-out series winners having won every race, with a strong late finish from El Coyote (15 points) taking second place overall from Dynamite (19 points) (Brad Kirk) in third.

A longer course was sailed for the IRC Cruising class today, their last race in the series. The conditions favoured Reef Knot (Tim McMahon) who took a win by a little under two minutes on corrected time from Melissa (Tetsuo Ongino). Souay 1 (Jean Rheault) continued their consistency with a third place finish. Overall series results see Melissa (10 points) take first from Reef Knot (13 points) who took second place on countback from Kirafiki (Peter Herning) (13 points) in third.

The Sports Boats class went true to form with two more wins today for Porn Star (Kipsan Beck). Final series results have Porn Star (6 points) with a clean sweep from Vino (Ray Waldron) (12 points) in second.

The Ocean Multihulls saw Thor (Henry Kaye) take two more bullets today from Sonic (Kirati Assakul) who took two second places. Freee Wheeler (David Race) took third in Race 1 while Blade Runner V (Bob Garner) took third in Race 2. Final series results see Thor (11 points) take the crown ahead of Blade Runner V (19.5 points) and Sonic (20 points) in third.

After a DSQ for The Fox (Rolf Heemskerk) in the sixth race of the Platu series yesterday, The Ferret (Scott Duncanson) shot to the top to take a one point lead going into today's final races. Two races where scheduled and sailed. Race 1 saw individual recalls for The Ferret, and two other Platus, while The Fox got off to a good start at the pin-end. The Ferret returned to the start and then took off to the opposite side of the course (right side) in a gamble to make-up ground. The gamble paid off and The Ferret finished second behind The Fox with Nataya (SMU 1) in third.

The Fox and The Ferret went into the last race of the series on equal points. All was to play for as The Fox hit traffic on the startline and struggled to find clean air. The Ferret went ahead and lead the fleet to the first gate. The racecourse became a drag strip as The Fox chased The Ferret around until The Ferret crossed the line first, ahead of The Fox in second and Naiad (Wiwat Poonpat) in third.

Skippered by former youth Champion Australian Scott Duncanson, The Ferret (18 points) was crowned the 2010 Platu Coronation Cup champion, from The Fox (19 points) in second and Naiad (27 points) in third.

Prize-givings for all classes followed an elegant sit-down dinner on the lawn at the Ocean Marina Yacht Club.

The 2010 Top of the Gulf Regatta with 246 boats, was deemed a resounding success by all 600+ participants. Headquartered at Ocean Marina Yacht Club and now in it's sixth year, the Top of the Gulf Regatta is the only multi-class regatta of its kind in Thailand.

Sponsors of the 2010 Top of the Gulf Regatta include: Major Sponsors Ocean Marina Yacht Club,
PTT Exploration and Production Public company Limited (PTTEP), The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Lexus. Other sponsors and supporters include MaDuZi Hotel, OCEAN Portofino, Singha Corporation, Sun Cooler, Movenpick, Mont Clair, Bangkok Hospital Pattaya, Bank of Ayudhya, Coca Cola, Corsair Trimarans, Grampian Country Food Group, Gulf Charters Thailand, QBE Insurance, SEAT Boats, Ocean Glass, Royal Varuna Yacht Club, the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand and Pattaya City. 2010 Media Partners include Asia Pacific Boating, Ensign Media, SEA Yachting, The Nation, Pattaya Today and Mix88.5Fm Pattaya.

Website: www.topofthegulfregatta.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/TOG-Regatta/179908192379

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/107994397421689332858

Results: http://www.topofthegulfregatta.com/results.shtml

Day 3 in Thai

Strong Winds Back in Pattaya for Third Day of Races

at 2010 Top of the Gulf Regatta

Evolution Racing expected winners in IRC Racing 1.

Royal Thai Navy 1 unbeatable in IRC Racing 2.

03 May 2010, PATTAYA – The winds returned and all but the Platus sailed one long distance race today. The wind was consistent and sailors talked of some of the best sailing they have ever experienced in the Gulf of Thailand.

Principal Race Officer, Jerry Rollin, gave the grand prix IRC Racing 1 boats the option for two races today to make up for the decision by the International Jury to discard the second race on Day 1 and re-sail it later. No consensus was achieved on-the-water so a single long distance 30nm was raced. After a fiesty startline Evolution Racing shot out ahead and lead from start to finish taking line honours and and the win on corrected time. Matt Allen, skippering Ichi Ban held on to second to beat the other Beneteau 44.7 Tantrum, skippered by Robert van Paridon, into third.

Today's win for Evolution Racing (4 points) extends their lead going into the final day, and baring no disaster Evolution Racing is expected to be the series winner. Currently Ichi Ban (7 points) is second in the series with Tantrum (12 points) in third.

For tomorrow, IRC Racing 1 will re-sail the first day's second race at the end of tomorrow's scheduled races.

IRC Racing 2 stretched their legs on the long distance course today. Royal Thai Navy 1, skippered by Damrong Sirisakorn, took yet another first (five from five) with El Coyote, skippered by Gary Baguley in second and David Bell on Magic Roundabout in third.

Going into the final day, Royal Thai Navy 1 (4 points) is unassailable. Dynamite, skippered by Brad Kirk, hold second (10 points), El Coyote (11 points) third, and Magic Roundabout (12 points) are in fourth. Second and third places are still very much up for grabs.

IRC Cruising saw changes on the podium as Melissa, skippered by Tetsuo Ongino, finished first from Amanda, skippered by Christopher Lim, and Celere, skippered by Nigel Hopkins in third. Series results have Kirafiki (15 points), skippered by Peter Herning, ahead of Sansanook (16 points), skippered by Andre Watt, with Souay 1 (18 points), skippered by Jean Rheault in third.

The stronger winds today played into the hands of the Seacart 30 Thor, skippered by Henry Kaye, in the Ocean Multihull class, who romped home with a win by 10 minutes on corrected time to boost his claim on the class title. Blade Runner V, skippered by Bob Garner, came in second ahead of Sonic, skippered by Kirati Assakul in third. In the Ocean Multihull series Thor (9 points) is leading Blade Runner V (10.5 points) with Cedar Swan (13 points), skippered by Radab Kanjanavait, in third.

The Platu fleet completed three windward-leewards today and The Ferret, skippered by Scott Duncanson, saw a return to their winning ways with three bullets. A mix of errors, tough conditions and fatigue impacted on the overall leader board: In Race 1 The Ferret hit the pin end of the line hard and never looked back leading the fleet around the course. Naiad, skippered by Wiwat Poonpat, continued improving after their poor start to the Regatta and took second in the first race of today, with The Stingray, sailed by the SMU 2 crew coming in third.

After a disappointing fifth place in the first race today for series leader The Fox, skippered by Rolf Heemskerk, they improved in the second race and came second to The Ferret, with Naiad taking third.

Lining up for the final race of today, the leader, The Fox, needed to keep the pressure on The Ferret with a good finish to lead the championship into a close final day. Windward-leewards proved testing for all crews and with The Ferret taking their third race win today, The Fox put in a fifth place finish with The Stingray in second and Magic Dragon, skippered by Cris Way, third.

Going into the final day of racing tomorrow, The Fox (13 points) leads the Platu series from The Ferret (15 points), with Naiad third (21 points).

The Sports Boat class went according to script with Porn Star, skippered by Kipsan Beck, winning again and Vino, skippered by Ray Waldron, second. Porn Star goes into the final day unbeatable, leading the series on 4 points from Vino (8 points).

All classes eagerly await the final race day with the overall series prizes to be presented at the Ocean Marina Yacht Club Gala Dinner on the lawn in front of the marina.

The 2010 Top of the Gulf Regatta is being sailed off Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Jomtien, Pattaya, Thailand, from 30^th April to 4^th May.

Website: www.topofthegulfregatta.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/TOG-Regatta/179908192379

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/107994397421689332858

Results: http://www.topofthegulfregatta.com/results.shtml

Day 3

Thai Sailing Star Noppakao Poonpat Reigns Supreme in Pattaya

at the Thailand Optimist Nationals

03 May 2010, PATTAYA – The Thailand Optimist Nationals took place off Jomtien Beach, Pattaya, Thailand 1 – 3 May 2010, and welcomed a record line-up of 129 junior sailors from many countries. With ages ranging from a little over six years up to 16, the competition is of the highest caliber with national and world champions taking part.

In 1976 the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand started Junior Sailing, a program to encourage and train young Thai sailors and send them to compete in international sailing events. Subsequently in the same year, YRAT started what was then called the Optimist Thailand Championship Cup, known today as the Thailand Optimist Nationals.

Now in it's 34^th year, the Thailand Optimist Nationals is as competitive as ever with many of the leading Thai juniors and international teams competing for the title. This year there are participants from Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, India, and Belgium. As well as Thai teams from Samui, Phuket (Phuket Yacht Club), the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, Junior Sailing Squadron of Thailand (Sattahip Naval Base), Royal Varuna Yacht Club and Ocean Marina Yacht Club.

As the eight-race series progressed it became clear the competition for the top places had become a battle of the nations, pitching Thailand against Malaysia.

After a hard fought series the winner, for the third time, was Noppakao Poonpat (THA). Second place went to Tacharin Narbonne (THA) with Malaysian National Team sailor Ahmad Syukri Abduazizl (MAS). The top ten places were filled by six Thai sailors and four Malaysians.

Top Thai junior Optimist sailor is Noppakao Poonpat also won the female division from Chaninat Poolsirikot (THA) in second and Kanapan Pachatikapanya (THA) third.

In the Under 12 division, Pongsapat Poomyam (THA) took the honours from Jim Vincent (HKG) and Apiwat Sringan (THA) in second and third respectively.

Having won the Thailand Optimist Nationals three times, including in 2009, Noppakao Poonpat has gone on to compete in a number of international Optimist events. Her biggest win to date was Gold Medal in the girls division at the 2010 International Optimist World Championship in Brazil.

“I'm happy to win the Thailand Optimist Nationals again his year. It is the third time I have won and is my last year as an Optimist sailor,” commented Noppakao.

“I will race in two more championships this year – Asian Games and then the Worlds in Malaysia in December. After that I will move on to a bigger boat.”

With the help of YRAT and the Royal Thai Navy, Optimist sailing has grown in Thailand and today there is a strong core of junior talent. With approximately 200 Optimists in the country, the majority of which are owned by YRAT and based on Thailand's Eastern Seaboard, there is now a need for more boats around the country to grow junior sailing elsewhere in Thailand. While both Phuket and Samui were represented at this years Thailand Optimist Nationals, they currently lack the boats and a developed training program to grow a fleet of juniors and future sailing stars, and need further support.

The Thailand Optimist Nationals is part of the Top of the Gulf Regatta. Sponsors of the 2010 Top of the Gulf Regatta include: Major Sponsors Ocean Marina Yacht Club, PTT Exploration and Production Public company Limited (PTTEP), The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Lexus. Other sponsors and supporters include MaDuZi Hotel, OCEAN Portofino, Singha Corporation, Sun Cooler, Movenpick, Mont Clair, Bangkok Hospital Pattaya, Bank of Ayudhya, Coca Cola, Corsair Trimarans, Grampian Country Food Group, Gulf Charters Thailand, QBE Insurance, SEAT Boats, Ocean Glass, Royal Varuna Yacht Club, the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand and Pattaya City. 2010 Media Partners include Asia Pacific Boating, Ensign Media, SEA Yachting, The Nation, Pattaya Today and Mix88.5Fm Pattaya.

Website: www.topofthegulfregatta.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/TOG-Regatta/179908192379

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/107994397421689332858

Results: http://www.topofthegulfregatta.com/results.shtml

PHOTO CAPTION & CREDIT:

IMG_9495.JPG: Noppakao Poonpat leading the fleet on the final day. Photo by Duncan Worthington.

IMG_9877.jpg: Overall winner of the Thailand Optimist Nationals Noppakao Poonpat lifting the trophy. Photo by Duncan Worthington.

Day 2 in Thai

Challenging Winds Make for Challenging Racing on

Day 2 of the 2010 Top of the Gulf Regatta

Evolution Racing extends their lead in IRC Racing 1. Royal Thai Navy 1 keep a clean sheet.

02 May 2010, PATTAYA – The Wind Gods took a hiatus mid-race today at the Top of the Gulf Regatta, while the sun shone and tans were topped-up.

The light winds and directional changes made for a leisurely startline for all classes on Race 1. The wind died even further at the top mark to fill in later on the last leg to the finish line. The second race saw another light start for many classes and the Platu class was delayed until the wind picked up. As a storm worked its way towards the startline and brought the wind with it, PRO Jerry Rollin took the decision to get the Platus underway with a downwind spinnaker start. An interesting site as the fleet jostled for position at the line in 18+ knots of wind, while trying to set their spinnakers.

All classes completed two races today, except the IRC Cruising who undertook a passage race around the islands.

IRC Racing 1 saw Evolution Racing, skippered by Ray Roberts, take line honours and wins on corrected time in both races today, and currently leads the standings in the series. Ichi Ban, skippered by Matt Allen, took two second place finishes today to leave him in second place overall, while Tantrum, skippered by Robert van Paridon took third in Race 1 and AA, skippered by Phuket King's Cup Regatta President Kevin Whitcraft, took third in Race 2. After jury hearings Race 2 on Day 1 for the IRC Racing 1 class has been scrapped. In the series Evolution Racing leads Ichi Ban with Tantrum in third.

IRC Racing 2 was almost a carbon copy of the results from Day 1. Royal Thai Navy 1, skippered by Damrong Sirisakorn took two more wins making it four wins out of four races so far. In Race 1 Dynamite, skippered by Brand Kirk, took second place from David Bell at the helm of Magic Roundabout in third. Magic Roundabout finished third in Race 2 also, with El Coyote, skippered by Gary Baguley second. Series standings see Royal Thai Navy 1 six points clear of Dynamite and El Coyote in second and third respectively.

The performance-based handicap system for IRC Cruising is leveling the playing field. After a long and enduring passage race, the only one for the class today, saw Sansanook, skippered by Andrew Watt, take first from Reef Knot, skippered by Tim McMahon with Kirafiki, skippered by Peter Herning in third. Series standings: Kirafiki and Sansanook tied for first with Souay 1 third.

The one-design Platus were competing hard today in the Platu Coronation Cup, faced with a mix of light winds (4-5 knots), strong winds (18+ knots), a squall and some rain. The Race 2 start, with spinnakers a loft, sorted the men from the boys (and women from the girls) as a number of boats were left flapping mid-spinnaker hoist in the 18+ knots.

Hot favourite, and former winner of the Platu Coronation Cup, Scott Duncanson, skippering The Ferret is having an out-of-sorts series to date with errors plaguing his crew, leaving the series wide open. The Fox, skippered by Rolf Heemskerk continued her winning ways with two more today, while Naiad, skippered by Wiwat Poonpat, showed consistency scoring two seconds to move them up the series rankings after two disappointing results on Day 1. In Race 1 today The Stingray, skippered by SMU 2 took third while in Race 2 it was sister team SMU 1 sailing Nataya who took third.

Singapore Management University (SMU) have fielded three teams in the Platu Coronation Cup and are holding their own against crews from Thailand, Malaysia, Australia and Japan, including and all-female Thai team. One-design Platu racing has seen a resurgence in recent years with a large fleet in Pattaya. Thirteen boats are competing this year in the Platu Coronation Cup and the overall standings have The Fox ahead by 11 points with Magic Dragon, Skippered by Cris Way in second and The Weasel, another SMU team, in third.

The Sports Boat class saw Pornstar, skippered by Kipsan Beck, extend their winning ways with two more firsts today, leaving them leading the series with four wins out of four, from Vino, skippered by Ray Waldron.

The fluctuating winds today saw the Ocean Multihull class blown open. Dash Hound, skippered by John Coffin, took first in Race 1 from Radab Kanjanavanit on Cedar Swan, with Black Swan, skippered by Scott Galle in third. The strong winds in Race 2 suited pre-regatta favourite Thor, skippered by Henry Kaye, who took first place by 20 minutes on corrected time. Second place went to Blade Runner V, skippered by Bob Garner, with David Race on Freee Wheeler in third. In the Ocean Multihull series all is still to play for with just three points covering the top five. Cedar Swan is currently leading overall from Blade Runner V, while Thor has moved up to third.

The largest fleet of keel boats and multihulls, 51, ever seen at the Top of the Gulf Regatta join with fleets of Lasers, 420's, Hobie 16's, Hobie Tiger's, some Byte CII's and a record fleet of 129 Optimists to make the total number of entries 246. The Top of the Gulf Regatta is a one-of-a-kind multi-class regatta in Thailand which brings together more than 20 nationalities in a vast array of boat designs and specifications in what has become a 600 participant-strong festival of sail.

The 2010 Top of the Gulf Regatta is being sailed off Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Jomtien, Pattaya, Thailand, from 30^th April to 4^th May.

Website: www.topofthegulfregatta.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/TOG-Regatta/179908192379

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/107994397421689332858

Results: http://www.topofthegulfregatta.com/results.shtml

Day 1 in Thai

Tight Racing on First Day of 2010 Top of the Gulf Regatta

Top places being traded. Platu Coronation Cup highly-competitive.

01 May 2010, PATTAYA – The largest fleet of keel boats and multihulls in the Gulf of Thailand's premier yachting event, the Top of the Gulf Regatta, took to the waters today for the first set of races. A total fleet of 51 boats took part in two races on the first day with wind filling in after a light air start to make a successful first day of races.

Ocean Marina Yacht Club was abuzz this morning with people making final touches before heading out to the startline offshore for the first start at 11am.

The IRC Racing 1 class has attracted a number of the region's leading sailors to compete. The class title is expected to be hard fought by all and in the first race today Evolution Racing (TP52), skippered by Ray Roberts, took line honours but on corrected time came second to Matt Allen's Ichi Ban (Beneteau 44.7), with Tantrum, another Beneteau 44.7, taking third. The second race remains in the protest room. The 'case' will be re-opened tomorrow.

The IRC Racing 2 class saw close competition with only five and-a-half-minutes separating the top three in Race 1 on corrected time. Royal Thai Navy 1 (Farr MRX) took first place from Dynamite (modified Farr), with Magic Roundabout (Jeanneau 35) third.

Royal Thai Navy I continued in their winning ways in Race 2 with Dynamite again taking second from El Coyote in third. Royal Thai Navy I take the early lead in the series.

IRC Cruising are racing on a performance handicap system which made for some close racing today with less than five minutes separating the top three in Race 1. Celere, skippered by Nigel Hopkins took the honours from Kirafiki (Peter Herning) and Tai II (Sadunori Osada) in second and third respectively.

In IRC Cruising Race 2, Sansanook, skippered by Andrew Watt, took first place ahead of Souay 1, skippered by Jean Rheault in second. Third place went to Japanese entry Melissa, skippered by Tetsuo Ongino. Melissa is one of three Japanese crewed boats.

The Sports Boat class saw two race wins for Pornstar with Vino coming in second.

In the one-design Platu class, 13 entries lined up to compete in the Coronation Cup. In Race 1 Magic Dragon, skippered by Cris Way, came home first with The Weasel, crewed by one of three teams from Singapore Management University, second. The Fox, skippered by Rolf Heemskerk, finished third. In Race 2 things were shaken up with The Ferret, skippered by Scott Duncanson, taking first from Nattaya, another team from Singapore Management University and Puma, skippered by Koji Kikuchi in third. The Ferret leads the series standings at the end of Day 1.

The Ocean Multihulls also completed two races today. In Race 1 Freee Wheeler, skippered by David Race, took first from Sonic, skippered by Kirati Assakul, with Radab Kanjanavanit's Cedar Swan, in third. In the second race the pre-regatta class favourite, Thor, skippered by Henry Kaye sailed to a win. Blade Runner, skippered by Bob Garner cam second, ahead of Cedar Swan in third. Cedar Swan currently leads in the overall standings.

The junior sailors competing in the Thailand Optimist Nationals have come from far and wide with entries from Belgium, USA, India, Hong Kong, UK, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. A record number of 126 juniors are competing for the title over three days of racing at the Top of the Gulf Regatta.

Series standings at the end of the Day 1 saw Malaysian Ahmad Syukrii Abdul Azizi at the top after some tought racing. Local sailor from the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, Tacharin Narbonne, took second place with World Optimist Champion, the popular Thai girl Noppakao Poonpat in third.

The 2010 Top of the Gulf Regatta is being sailed off Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Jomtien, Pattaya, Thailand, from 30^th April to 4^th May.

Website: www.topofthegulfregatta.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/TOG-Regatta/179908192379

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/107994397421689332858

Results: http://www.topofthegulfregatta.com/results.shtml

News in Thai Language

Record Number of Boats in Pattaya for Top of the Gulf Regatta

Thai sailing world champions competing. Leading sailors from the region taking part.

30 April 2010, PATTAYA – The 2010 Top of the Gulf Regatta closed registration today with some new records to add to its growing list of achievements.

The largest fleet of keel boats and multihulls ever, a total of 52, will take to the waters tomorrow for the first race which will be held off Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Jomtien Beach, Pattaya, Thailand. Joining them will be one of the biggest one-design Platu fleets in Asia ever assembled, competing for the Platu Coronation Cup.

In addition to the big boat classes there will be a number of monohull dinghies, beach catamarans, Lasers and Optimists competing. In total over 200 boats and more than 600 participants and on-water personnel will take part in the 2010 Top of the Gulf Regatta, incorporating the Platu Coronation Cup and the Thailand Optimist Nationals, making it the largest multi-class regatta in Thailand.

Mr. William Gasson, Chairman of the Organising Committee, commented, “This year the Regatta has grown about 25%. Approximately 50-60% of the participants are Thai with 40% being residents of Thailand and international sailors. There are more than 20 nationalities competing.”

Continued Gasson, “In the Platu class many boats are chartered by international crews.”

A number of the top sailors and crews from around the region are taking part this year – some new and some returning to defend their title – while there is a strong showing from Thai sailors across all the classes.

The Beach Catamarans are split into two classes: Hobie 16 and Hobie Tiger/Open Beach Cat. A strong showing from sailors at Royal Varuna Yacht Club as well as sailors from overseas and elsewhere will see both classes highly competitive.

The Open Monohull Dinghy class will include a number of Byte II while the Laser class is expected to be highly-competitive with some top quality sailors competing for the class title.

Competing for the Thailand Optimist Nationals will be over 120 junior sailors from a number of countries. Rear Admiral Sunan Monthalpardin, Race Committee Yacht Racing Association of Thailand said, “There are approximately 120 Optimists taking part this year. There were teams coming from Singapore and Hong Kong but sadly they pulled out last minute. There are also two Thai world champions taking part this year: Noppakao Poonpat (2009 winner of the Thailand Optimist Nationals and winner of the gold medal in the girls division at the International Optimist World Championship in Brazil recently) and Keerati Bualong (Winner 2010 Asia Pacific Laser Championships (Laser Standard Rig).

The Top of the Gulf Regatta is hosted by Ocean Marina Yacht Club, with racing over four days in the Gulf of Thailand.

“We are very proud to be the official host of this international regatta since 2005. Our aim is to promote this area as Thailand’s yachting center. It’s a great event for Pattaya and Thailand. It continues to grow and this year we expect more boats than ever before and we are sure they will enjoy the facilities and hospitality of Ocean Marina Yacht Club,” said Mr. Kirati Assakul, Board of Directors of Ocean Marina Yacht Club.

Website: www.topofthegulfregatta.com

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Strong racing line-up for the 2010 Top of the Gulf Regatta

International crews arriving. Past winners return to defend their crowns.

26 April 2010, PATTAYA – The 2010 Top of the Gulf Regatta is ready to set sail. Hosted by Ocean Marina Yacht Club on Jomtien Beach, on Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard, international crews have started to arrive to compete in the largest regatta in the Gulf of Thailand.

Now in its sixth year, the Top of the Gulf Regatta continues to grow from strength-to-strength. Having established itself initially as an event providing junior sailors with international-standard competitive racing, the Regatta has seen rapid growth in the keel boat and multihull fleets making the Top of the Gulf Regatta a truly multi-class regatta and one-of-a-kind in Thailand.

The 2010 Regatta is expected to see highly competitive racing in all classes. The IRC Racing 1 class sees 2009 champion and 2009 Phuket King’s Cup Regatta class winner, Ichi Ban, skippered by Matt Allen, returning to defend his title. The Commodore of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia has become a regular on Thailand’s regatta circuit and he’ll be competing his Beneteau First 44.7 against another 44.7, Tantrum, as well as the popular Thai-crewed entry Lawana (X 512). Pushing hard for the title will be 2007/8 Asian Yachting Grand Prix champion Evolution Racing (TP52) skippered by Ray Roberts, the GP42 AA skippered by Kevin Whitcraft President of the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, Phuket stalwart Katsu (Swan 42) skippered by Ben Copley, and possibly a number of sports boats including Vino (Phuket 8).

The IRC Racing 2 class sees many returnees with more than 10 boats expected to compete for the class title this year, including the Royal Thai Navy Farr MRX.

The IRC Cruising class is expected to be the largest class with 15 boats currently entered or intending to enter over the coming days. IRC Cruising will this year race on a performance-based handicap system under the watchful eye of Michael Spies. Spies is the sailing master for Ichi Ban and brings with him experience from Hamilton Island Raceweek in performance-handicapping.

Principal Race Officer for the keel boat and multihull classes will be the returning Jerry Rollin, while the International Jury, who come from far and wind, will be Chaired by the able Bryan Willis.

A good number of multihulls are expected to hit the startline, approximately 14 have confirmed to date with 2009 champion Radab Kanjanavit hoping to skipper his Cedar Swan (F9-A) to a consecutive victory in the Ocean Multihull class. He will be pushed hard by a number of corsairs and by Phuket regatta veteran Henry Kaye on his Seacart 30 Thor, who raced a clean series to win the 2009 Phuket King’s Cup Regatta.

The hotly contested one-design Platu Coronation Cup welcomes an international fleet with three teams from the Singapore Management University challenging for the title against top crews from Thailand, Malaysia and Japan.

As well as the keel boat and multihull classes, the Top of the Gulf Regatta comprises dinghies and beach catamarans. Classes will include Hobie 16, Hobie Tiger, Open Monohull Dinghy, Lasers, and Optimists. The junior Optimist sailors will be competing in the Thailand Optimist Nationals.

The 2010 Top of the Gulf Regatta will be sailed off Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Jomtien, Pattaya, Thailand, from 30^th April to 4^th May. Over 200 entries are expected this year.

Sponsors of the 2010 Top of the Gulf Regatta include: Major Sponsors Ocean Marina Yacht Club,
PTT Exploration and Production Public company Limited (PTTEP), The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Lexus. Other sponsors and supporters include Thai Airways, MaDuZi Hotel, OCEAN Portofino, Singha Corporation, Sun Cooler, Movenpick, Mont Clair, Bangkok Hospital Pattaya, Bank of Ayudhya, Coca Cola, Corsair Trimarans, Grampian Country Food Group, Gulf Charters Thailand, QBE Insurance, SEAT Boats, Ocean Glass, Royal Varuna Yacht Club, the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand and Pattaya City. 2010 Media Partners include Asia Pacific Boating, Ensign Media, SEA Yachting, Pattaya Today and Mix88.5Fm Pattaya.

Website: www.topofthegulfregatta.com

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/TOG-Regatta/179908192379

Media contact
Chanut Nawnarong/ Nungruthai Julakul
Infinity Communications
Tel. +66 (0) 83 650 6848
Email: pr@infinity-comms.com