Top of the Gulf Regatta http://www.setsailthailand.com/forum Sun, 08 May 2011 03:06:32 +0000 60 http://www.setsailthailand.com/forum/topic/2278-asian-regatta-forum-at-top-of-the-gulf/
Those that attract both local and overseas competitors on a regular basis include -

Thailand: Top of the Gulf, Phuket King’s Cup, Phuket Raceweek, Koh Samui Regatta, The Bay Regatta
Hong Kong: China Coast Regatta, China Sea Race (San Fernando Race), Vietnam Race
Malaysia: Raja Muda, Royal Langkawi Regatta, Borneo Cup
Philippines: Commodore’s Cup, Boracay Race, Boracay Cup
Singapore: Singapore Straits Regatta
China: China Cup

On Wednesday, after the Top of the Gulf Regatta, TOG Chairman Bill Gasson invited a number of interested parties to an informal forum to discuss regatta timing and race content, mainly with a view to making the events more ‘inclusive’ for qualifying yachts, especially with regard to the Asian Yachting Grand Prix league table run by Capt Marty Rijkuris. This championship has over recent years become a two-boat event.

Subjects discussed included uniformity of race formats and classes, regatta scheduling (for the most part, now well-established), and a notional split of the AYGP-listed events into ‘eastern’ and ‘western’ circuits.

‘Inclusiveness’ and encouragement of participation was the most widely discussed subject. There are a great many boats all over Asia that do not participate in the regional regattas. It was noted that a fair number of boats from – especially – Hong Kong make the trip south to compete in regattas in Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, but few, if any boats from those countries make the opposite voyage. Capt Marty reiterated the intention of the AYGP to “reward the boat and skipper that has run the best overall campaign in Asian waters”.

Other ideas aired included - the creation of multiple AYGP classes; extraction of results from similarly-banded and therefore comparable regattas; a points-recognition of participation in, as well as performance at, AYGP listed regattas; differential points scoring based on divison sizes; points scoring for home/away regattas; fully amateur crews; a centralised database and website system aimed at promoting all the regattas on the circuit; the role of the media in promoting Asian events.

Present at the forum were:

Bill Gasson (Chairman, Top of the Gulf Regatta)
Jun Avecilla (Commodore Subic Bay Yacht Club and Chairman, Subic Bay Commodore’s Cup, Boracay Cup, Boracay Race)
Grenville Fordham (Chairman, Six Senses Phuket Raceweek)
Wicky Sundram (General Manager, Royal Langkawi Yacht Club)
Zack Bashah (Operations Manager, Royal Langkawi Yacht Club)
Tudor John (Chairman, Neptune Regatta)
Alex Voss (Safety Officer, Neptune Regatta)
Matt Allen (Past Commodore, Cruising Yacht Club of Australia)
Jason Lim (Singapore Sailing Association)
Guy Nowell (Asia Editor, Sail-World.com)
Capt Marty Rijkuris (AsianYachting.com)
Roger McMillan (Editor, Australian Sailing)
Simon James (IRO)
Jerry Rollin (IRO)
Duncan Worthington (Infinity Communications)
Paul Poole (Paul Poole South East Asia Ltd)
Stephen Marsh (MRI)
Scott Finsten (Harbourmaster, Ocean Marina Yacht Club)

http://www.sail-world.com/index.cfm?Nid=83204&refre=y&ntid=12&rid=2]]> Sun, 08 May 2011 03:06:32 +0000 http://www.setsailthailand.com/forum/topic/2278-asian-regatta-forum-at-top-of-the-gulf/ http://www.setsailthailand.com/forum/topic/2275-the-2011-top-of-the-gulf-regatta/
The Top Of The Gulf Regatta was first established in 2005, and in 2011, the competition comprises 250 sailboats, over 500 contestants, and 12 types of sailboats with teams from the UAE, Singapore University, Hong Kong and a strong presence from Australia with Matt Allen, the Commodore of Australia’s Cruising Yacht club, who host the Sydney to Hobart yacht race along with his team with guest Grant Warrington aboard (Owner of Wild Thing). The challengers are seeking to claim 1st Prize in 3 Categories, the Optimist Cup, Coronation Cup and the Top of Regatta Cup. The sailboats are divided into 12 groups which are IRC Racing 1 Premier Class, IRC Racing 2, IRC Racing 3, Cruising Boat, Platu, Ocean Multihull, Hobbie Tiger, Hobbie 16, Monohull Dinky, Laser, Optimist.

]]> Fri, 06 May 2011 04:21:25 +0000 http://www.setsailthailand.com/forum/topic/2275-the-2011-top-of-the-gulf-regatta/ http://www.setsailthailand.com/forum/topic/2273-ichi-ban-wins-tog-3rd-year-running/


Photos by Infinity communcations



Full Results here...]]> Thu, 05 May 2011 16:15:34 +0000 http://www.setsailthailand.com/forum/topic/2273-ichi-ban-wins-tog-3rd-year-running/ http://www.setsailthailand.com/forum/topic/2272-team-premier-tp52-from-uae-takes-irc-overall-for-2011-tog/

Photo by Infinity Communications



Full results here...]]> Wed, 04 May 2011 16:34:45 +0000 http://www.setsailthailand.com/forum/topic/2272-team-premier-tp52-from-uae-takes-irc-overall-for-2011-tog/ http://www.setsailthailand.com/forum/topic/2271-2011-top-of-the-gulf-regatta-platu-class-overall-results/


Full results here...]]> Wed, 04 May 2011 12:48:50 +0000 http://www.setsailthailand.com/forum/topic/2271-2011-top-of-the-gulf-regatta-platu-class-overall-results/ http://www.setsailthailand.com/forum/topic/2269-a-united-nations-of-winners-at-the-2011-top-of-the-gulf-regatta/ Racing down to the wire in IRC Racing 1; New Coronation Cup champion crowned



Hi Fi, leading eventual IRC Racing 1 winner, Team Premier, over the line on the final day of racing at the 2011 Top of the Gulf Regatta. Photo by Infinity Communications.



Platus lining up for the start on the final day of the 2011 Top of the Gulf Regatta. Number 112, Magic Dragon, were eventually crowned winners of the 2011 Coronation Cup. Photo by Infinity Communications.

03 May 2011, (Pattaya) The final day of racing at the 2011 Top of the Gulf Regatta saw idyllic, tropical sailing conditions and lots to sail for with many classes going down to the wire. Over 30 nationalities enjoyed four days of testing racing off Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Jomtien Beach, Pattaya, Thailand.

The Top of the Gulf Regatta saw one of the largest fleets ever in Thailand (and Asia) with 49 entries in the keelboat and ocean multihull classes (course one), 61 in the beach catamaran and monohull dinghy classes (course two), and 129 Optimists (course three) – a total of 239 boats.

Courses two and three finished yesterday with winners being presented series prizes at the Gala Dinner sponsored by the Ocean Marina Yacht Club, with today the final day of racing for keelboat and multihull classes.

Regatta Race Officer, Simon James, managed to complete two races today for all keelboat and multihull classes, and squeezed in a third race for the one-design Platus.

The IRC Racing 1 class enjoyed the company of the International Jury with a series of protests, dismissals and hearings being re-opened, which resulted in a disqualification on Day 2 for Hi Fi (Neil Pryde) and a final protest being withdraw by Team Premier (Johannes Waimer). The outcome of this, and the disqualification was critical in the final top three placings.

In the two races today, Hi Fi pulled out all the stops taking two bullets in what were very close battles on the water, with Team Premier in second (both races) and Evolution Racing (Ray Roberts) in third (both races). The standard of racing was some of the best-ever seen in the seven years of the Top of the Gulf Regatta and with that comes pressure and a deep desire to win, resulting in 'battle by protest'. After all protests have been taken into account, the winner of the IRC Racing 1 class for the 2011 Top of the Gulf Regatta was Team Premier from Hi Fi in second and Evolution Racing, third.

In IRC Racing 2 Jing Jing (Rick Pointon) continued their charge taking two bullets today with Ichi Ban (Matt Allen) second in race one and Katsu (Ben Copley), third. Having the series already wrapped up, Ichi Ban came back to shore early and never took part in the second race leaving Katsu to take second from Dynamite (Brad Kirk) third.

The Sports Boats raced in conjunction with IRC Racing 2. Some impressive sailing from the crew on the Shaw 650 Pornstar (Kipsan Beck) saw them overtake the 45-foot Pasaya (Schle Wood Tan) on race one today, and take out the Sports Boat title from C U Later (Mikael Pophillat) in second.

Royal Thai Navy 1 (Nuttapol Srihirun) took two more bullets today in IRC Racing 3 and drop their worst finish, a second, to take the series. Hi Jinks (Shoun Toh), sailed by the SMU team, put in a consistent performance with two more second place finishes today to take second overall in the series. While in race one today Magic (David Bell) took third and Souay I (Jean Rheault) took third in race two. After the drop, Magic took third overall in the class series.

The Cruising class enjoyed the best of the Regatta's winds today and managed to complete two windward-leeward races. In race one, Amanda (Lennart Fahlgren) took first from Reef Knot+ (Simon Denny) in second and San Sanook (Andrew Watt) third. Race two saw a switch in the placings with San Sanook first, Amanda second and Reef Knot+ third. After consistently placing in the top two all series, Amanda took the class honours from San Sanook and Reef Knot+ in second and third respectively.

The one-design Platu class, racing for the prestigious Coronation Cup, went right down the line... and the protest room. A disqualification in the penultimate race for Lucky Lady (Kenta Inaba) meant they were bumped off the top spot. In today's first race, Magic Dragon (Maximillian Soh) took first from The Ferrett (Scott Duncanson) in second and another SMU Team entry The Weasel (SMU Team 2), in third. After a disappointing disqualification, Lucky Lady stormed into first in the final race, beating Naiad (Wiwat Poonpat) into second and The Fox (Rolf Heemskerk) in third.

After nine races, and with one discard, Magic Dragon were crowned Coronation Cup champions. After the last day's drama, Lucky Lady finished second and Naiad held on to third with a strong finish.

The Sting (James Haste) has lead the Ocean Mutihulls almost from start to finish at the Top of the Gulf Regatta. However, today they did not have it all their own way. A first in race one by less than a minute on corrected time was followed by a hard fought second in race two, falling short of the day's clean sweep by only 15 seconds on corrected time. Second in race one today was Bladerunner (Alan Carwadine) with Black Swan (Scott Galle) third. In the second race of the day Cedar Swan (Radab Kanjanavanit) took first from The Sting in second, with Bladerunner third.

The 2011 Top of the Gulf Regatta saw professional on-the-water race management, a team of Jurors of the highest calibre and some of the most competitive racing to be found anywhere in Asia. Combined with challenging sailing conditions, the Regatta has been chalked up as a success. Plans are already on the drawing board for 2012.

Series results at the 2011 Top of the Gulf Regatta, are as follows:
IRC Racing 1
1. Team Premier, Johannes Waimer (9)
2. Hi Fi, Neil Pryde (12)
3. Evolution Racing, Ray Roberts (13)

IRC Racing 2
1. Ichi Ban, Matt Allen (7)
2. Jing Jing, Rick Pointon (10)
3. Katsu, Ben Copley (17)

IRC Racing 3
1. Royal Thai Navy 1, Nuttapol Srihirun (6)
2. Hi Jinks, Team SMU (11)
3. Magic, David Bell (20)

Cruising
1. Amanda, Lennart Fahlgren (5)
2. San Sanook, Andrew Watt (7)
3. Reef Knot+, Simon Denny (13)

Platu (Coronation Cup)
1. Magic Dragon, Maximillian Soh (20)
2. Lucky Lady, Kenta Inaba (23)
3. Naiad, Wiwat Poonpat (24)

Ocean Multihulls
1. The Sting, James Haste (9)
2. Bladerunner, Alan Carwadine (14)
3. Cedar Swan, Radab Kanjanavanit (18)

For full series results in detail, go to http://topofthegulfregatta.com/results.shtml.

The 2011 Top of the Gulf Regatta is supported by the Principal Sponsor Ocean Marina as host venue. Co-Sponsors include Land Rover and Range Rover, Thai Airways, Gulf Charters and Mont Clair Wines as Co-sponsors. A large contribution was also made by an anonymous sailor this year. Other sponsors include Ocean Property Co. Ltd., Singha Corporation Group, Thai Numthip Co., Ltd. (Coca Cola), Lucaris, Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, Golden Foods Siam Ltd., Bank of Ayudhya Plc., Seat Boat Co., Ltd., Corsair Marine Thailand Co., Ltd., QBE Insurance (Thailand) Co., Ltd., Mõvenpick ice cream, Nivea, CAT Telecom, Media Representation International and Sail Quest. Media partners include Pattaya Mail, SEA Yachting magazine, Ensign Media and Mix 88.5 FM. The event is supported by the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand (YRAT), Royal Varuna Yacht Club and Pattaya City.

Website: www.topofthegulfregatta.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/TOG-Regatta/179908192379
Photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/infinityprcomms/TopOfTheGulfRegatta2011#

# # #

Media Contact
Chanut Nawnarong/ Nungruthai Julakul
Infinity Communications
Tel: +66 (0) 83 650 6848/ +66 (0) 89 512 7030]]> Tue, 03 May 2011 14:39:03 +0000 http://www.setsailthailand.com/forum/topic/2269-a-united-nations-of-winners-at-the-2011-top-of-the-gulf-regatta/ http://www.setsailthailand.com/forum/topic/2268-on-water-rivalries-reignited-on-day-three-of-2011-top-of-the-gulf-regatta/ Singaporeans to the fore with three teams taking first places on Day Tree



Ocean Multihulls line up for the start on Day Three of the Top of the Gulf Regatta 2011.

02 May 2011, (Pattaya) Day Three at the 2011 Top of the Gulf Regatta saw the wind Gods return with steady breezes throughout, rising to 12 knots towards the end, and blue skies all around showcasing what a stunning race venue the Gulf of Thailand really is.

A tete-a-tete continued in the protest room today as Evolution Racing filed a protest against yesterday's Jury decision to dismiss their protest. The upshot saw Neil Pryde's Hi Fi disqualified from yesterday's sole race, which sees they drop down the series rankings. However, the rumour mill is working overtime and a protest by Hi Fi is expected on the protest by Evolution Racing about the previous protest result by Evolution Racing. All may not be settled just yet.

Protests aside, IRC Racing 1 completed two races today. In Race 1, Hi Fi showed their class and lead from start to finish with Team Premier and Evolution Racing in second and third respectively. Team Premier went one better in the second race taking first place by two minutes on corrected time from Evolution Racing, with Hi Fi in third.

IRC Racing 2 also completed two races today and in the first race Ichi Ban continued her winning ways with another bullet. Jing Jing took second and Katsu third. In Race 2, all boats exceeded the time limit as per the Sailing Instructions, so timings were taken at the last mark. This meant Jing Jing knocked Ichi Ban off her perch and took first with Ichi Ban second and Katsu third.

Two races for IRC Racing 3 saw a twist in fortunes for Royal Thai Navy 1 who scored second in the first race and a fifth in the second race to drop them down the series standings. Hi Jinks, sailed by a team from Singapore Management University took first in Race 1 with Souay I in third. In the second race, Kirafiki took the honours from Hi Jinks and Souay I, in second and third respectively. Going into the final day, the series looks set to be a two boat battle between Hi Jinks and Royal Thai Navy 1.

Race Officer, Simon James, sent the Cruising class on a long distance race off and around the islands. After a good stretch of the legs, Amanda took first with San Sanook in second and Free Wind third.

The one-design Platu class, racing for the Coronation Cup, managed to complete three races today, bringing the series total to six. With an expected 10 to complete the series, the last day looks set to be busy to say the least for the race committee. In Race 1, Lucky Lady took the honours from Naida in second and series leaders Magic Dragon, raced by the ever-popular SMU team, in third. In Race 2 today, The Ferrett returned to their winning ways putting in a strong performance to take their first bullet of the series so far. However, their 'luck' ran out in the next race with a seventh. Second in Race 2 was Lucky Lady with Magic Dragon, third.

In the last race of the day for the Platu class, another of the SMU teams, Wikki, jumped up the rankings with a first followed by Lucky Lady and The Weasel in second and third respectively.

In the Ocean Multihull class, two races were completed with The Sting taking first in Race 1 from Sonic in second and Bladerunner third. In the second race of the day, Bladerunner returning to their winning ways with a first, Dash took second and Sonic third.

Final series resulted were today announced for Hobie Tiger/ Nacra F18, Hobie 16, Open Monohull Dinghy, Laser and Optimists.

In the Hobie Tiger/ Nacra F18 class, after a nine race series with one discard, Jason Waterhouse walked away with a clean sweep. In second was Morten Jakobsen followed by Aroon Ruengcharungpong in third.

Well known Thai Hobie sailor, Kritsada Vongtim, took the class honours with five firsts and three seconds after one discard. Tirapong Vatibunrueng took second from Chulapong Chanyim in third.

In the Monohull Dinghy class a series of 420s and 470s raced nine over three days with Navee/ Tanapong running away with first place, followed by Sittisart/ Peerapun in second and Sutee/ Atinat in third.

Thirty-five boats lined up for the Laser class including 2010 Asia Pacific Laser Champion Kirati Bualong. Kirati's skills proved too much for the rest taking the class title with an 18 point lead, followed by Kamonwan Chanyim and Nut Butmarasri in second and third respectively.

The Thailand Optimist Nationals came to a close today and without perennial winner Noppakao Poonpat, who has reached the class age limit A new winner was assured. 130 junior sailors from around South East Asia took part, one of the biggest ever Nationals fleet. Prizes for Overall, Girls and Under 12 were on offer.

Thailand outshone their neighbours taking the top three places in all divisions. In Under 12, Jarupong Meeyusamsan took first from Phuket Dinghy Series reigning champion Anapat Ngarmdee in second, and Kamonchanok Khlahan third.

In the Girls division, first place went to Chaninat Poolsirikot with Kanapan Pachatikapanya in second and Kamonchanok Khlahan third.

Overall results saw Pongsapat Pumyam take third with Sarawut Phetsiri in second. And the winner, crowned Thailand Optimist Nationals champion for 2011 was 13 year old Thai girl Chaninat Poolsirikot.

The last day of racing for the keelboats and ocean multihulls will take place tomorrow at Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Jomtien Beach, Pattaya, Thailand.

The 2011 Top of the Gulf Regatta is supported by the Principal Sponsor Ocean Marina as host venue. Co-Sponsors include Land Rover and Range Rover, Thai Airways, Gulf Charters and Mont Clair Wines as Co-sponsors. A large contribution was also made by an anonymous sailor this year. Other sponsors include Ocean Property Co. Ltd., Singha Corporation Group, Thai Numthip Co., Ltd. (Coca Cola), Lucaris, Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, Golden Foods Siam Ltd., Bank of Ayudhya Plc., Seat Boat Co., Ltd., Corsair Marine Thailand Co., Ltd., QBE Insurance (Thailand) Co., Ltd., Mõvenpick ice cream, Nivea, CAT Telecom, Media Representation International and Sail Quest. Media partners include Pattaya Mail, SEA Yachting magazine, Ensign Media and Mix 88.5 FM. The event is supported by the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand (YRAT), Royal Varuna Yacht Club and Pattaya City.

Website: www.topofthegulfregatta.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/TOG-Regatta/179908192379
Photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/infinityprcomms/TopOfTheGulfRegatta2011#

# # #

Media Contact
Chanut Nawnarong/ Nungruthai Julakul
Infinity Communications
Tel: +66 (0) 83 650 6848/ +66 (0) 89 512 7030]]> Tue, 03 May 2011 09:34:00 +0000 http://www.setsailthailand.com/forum/topic/2268-on-water-rivalries-reignited-on-day-three-of-2011-top-of-the-gulf-regatta/ http://www.setsailthailand.com/forum/topic/2267-a-new-champion-crowned-at-thailand-optimist-national-championship/ 13 year old Chaninat Poolsirikot schools 130-strong Optimist entries, winning by four points

Winner of the 2011 Thailand Optimist Nationals, Chaninat Poolsirikot (THA 188)

02 May 2011, (Pattaya) After nine races over three days, the 130 international junior sailors finished the Thailand Optimist Nationals in style, with tropical blue skies and steady wind and Thailand winning the top three places in all divisions. The Thailand Optimist Nationals is incorporated in the Top of the Gulf Regatta and organised in co-operation with the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand.

The Under 12s division, Jarupong Meeyusamsan showed his class to take first from Sutida Poonpat in second and top Samui sailor Natthakarn Punyawan in third.

In the girls division, Chaninat Poolsirikot scored consistently well to take a resounding victory over Kanapan Pachatikapanya in second and Kamonchanok Khlahan in third.

The Thailand National Optimist champions has a long and storied history with many of today's top Thai sailors having competed, and won, the perpetual trophy. In 1976 the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand started Junior Sailing, a programme to encourage and train young Thai sailors and send them to compete in international sailing events. In the same year, YRAT started what was then called the Optimist Thailand Championship Cup, known today as the Thailand Optimist Nationals. Now in its 35th year, the Thailand Optimist Nationals is as competitive as ever, with many leading Thai juniors, international teams and world champions competing for the title.

This year, 2010 Thailand Optimist Nationals champion and 2010 World Champion, Noppakao Poonpat, could not enter, no longer being eligible to race Optimists having reach the class age limit. This meant 2011 would see a new national champion and a new star take the headlines.

In 2010, Thailand won the Team World Optimist Championships and two members of that winning team took part in the Thailand Optimist Nationals over the last three days. Expectations were high for the two World Champions. After nine competitive races, Sarawut Phetsiri took second overall and Jirawat Jadklay fourth. Neither could match the five firsts and overall consistency of the series winner, 13 year old Thai girl Chaninat Poolsirikot, who won by four points and is the 2011 Thailand Optimist Nationals champion.

Sarawut Phetsiri took second and Pongsapat Pumyam third.

Prizes were presented at the Gala Dinner hosted by Ocean Marina Yacht Club with the new Thailand Optimist National champion being cheered by all the participants, big and small.

Racing continues for keelboats and ocean multihull fleets tomorrow, and the inaugural Thailand Open Opti Team Racing Championship also, with 8 – 10 teams expected.

The 2011 Top of the Gulf Regatta is supported by the Principal Sponsor Ocean Marina as host venue. Co-Sponsors include Land Rover and Range Rover, Thai Airways, Gulf Charters and Mont Clair Wines as Co-sponsors. A large contribution was also made by an anonymous sailor this year. Other sponsors include Ocean Property Co. Ltd., Singha Corporation Group, Thai Numthip Co., Ltd. (Coca Cola), Lucaris, Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, Golden Foods Siam Ltd., Bank of Ayudhya Plc., Seat Boat Co., Ltd., Corsair Marine Thailand Co., Ltd., QBE Insurance (Thailand) Co., Ltd., Mõvenpick ice cream, Nivea, CAT Telecom, Media Representation International and Sail Quest. Media partners include Pattaya Mail, SEA Yachting magazine, Ensign Media and Mix 88.5 FM. The event is supported by the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand (YRAT), Royal Varuna Yacht Club and Pattaya City.

Website: www.topofthegulfregatta.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/TOG-Regatta/179908192379
Photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/infinityprcomms/TopOfTheGulfRegatta2011

# # #

Media Contact
Chanut Nawnarong/ Nungruthai Julakul
Infinity Communications
Tel: +66 (0) 83 650 6848/ +66 (0) 89 512 7030]]> Mon, 02 May 2011 15:24:19 +0000 http://www.setsailthailand.com/forum/topic/2267-a-new-champion-crowned-at-thailand-optimist-national-championship/ http://www.setsailthailand.com/forum/topic/2266-australians-leading-the-way-on-first-day-at-top-of-the-gulf-regatta/

Ichi Ban, IRC Racing 2, on her way to two wins on Day One of the Top of the Gulf Regatta 2011.

30 April 2011, (Pattaya) Good steady winds saw all classes away cleanly on the first day of the 2011 Top of the Gulf Regatta (TOG Regatta). Held off Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Jomtien Beach, Pattaya, Thailand, winds ranged from 8 to 12 knots as all keelboats and ocean multihulls raced windward-leewards, except the cruising class which raced a longer passage race.

IRC Racing 1 class brings together an international fleet with Asian circuit regulars Evolution Racing (Aus), Hi Fi (Hong Kong), Wan Ma Rang (Thai) and relative newcomers Team Premier (UAE) and Zanzibar (Sing). Of the five, it's the first TOG Regatta for Hi Fi, Team Premier and Zanzibar. Hi Fi and Evolution Racing, pre-regatta expected to be duelling for the top positions were surprised on Day One as Team Premier fired a shot across everyone's bow with line honours and handicap in Race 1. In Race 2 Team Premier was beaten into second by Evolution Racing, with Hi Fi third.

IRC Racing 2 saw a nine boat fleet take to the startline with all eyes on Australian favourite Matt Allen and his crew on Ichi Ban. Tactics were the call of the day and Ichi Ban called them correct. Although pushed close in Race 1, Ichi Ban took line honours and class win on corrected time from Jing Jing (China) skippered by Rick Poulson, and Katsu (Thai), skippered by Ben Copley, in second and third respectively. In Race 2 Ichi Ban took his second bullet with Jing Jing steady in second place from El Coyote (Aus) skippered by Gary Baguley, in third.

IRC Racing 3 saw Royal Thai Navy 1, skippered by Damrong Sirisakorn, continued their winning form in Thailand regattas with a close fought win in Race 1 by 25 seconds on corrected time from Hi Jinks (Thai) skippered by Surapol Tippawongse in second, and Magic (Aus), skippered by David Bell in third. Race 2 saw the same place finishes, Royal Thai Navy 1 (1), Hi Jinks (2) and Magic (3).

The Sports Boat class are being run on the same startline and sequence as the IRC Racing 2 class, but with separate class trophies being given. Pornstar (Thai) skippered by Kipsan Beck took two bullets from C U Later (Fra), skippered by Mikael Pophillat.

The one-design Platu class lit up the course with some tight and entertaining racing, places being traded mid-fleet throughout race one. Magic Dragon, crewed by one of three SMU teams in the class, took to the front early on and rounded the windward mark first. She continued to stretch her lead throughout and easily took the bullet. Lucky Lady (Japan) skippered by Kenta Inaba, took second with Naiad (Thai), skippered by Wiwat Poonpat, in third. Last year's Coronation Cup winner, The Ferret, skippered by Scott Duncanson, came back from a poor start to take fifth, one place behind their perennial rivals The Fox, skippered by Rolf Heemskerk. Race 2 saw Naiad pull out all the stops to take first from The Ferret and The Fox in second and third respectively.

The passage race by the Cruising class saw the 11 strong fleet head offshore to out-lying islands. Amanda (Sing), skippered by Lennart Fahlgren, won the day on corrected time from Free Wind (USA) skippered by George Foose in second, and Reef Knot+ (Thailand), skippered by Simon Denny in third.

In the Ocean Multihull class, Radab Kanjanavanit skippering Cedar Swan (Thai) bounced back from a third in Race 1 to take the bullet in Race 2 and lead the series standing after the first day. A ripped mainsail didn't stop Sonic (Thai) taking first in Race 1 from Bladerunner (Thai), skippered by Thierry Cercleron in second. In Race 2 Bladerunner again took second from Dash (Thai), skippered Bob Garner, in third.

Day One saw some upsets and a number of regatta-newcomers leading in the series standings. Provisional series results for IRC Racing 1 are Evolution Racing (1), Team Premier (2), Hi Fi (3); in IRC Racing 2 Ichi Ban (2), Jing Jing (2), Katsu (3); in IRC Racing 3 Royal Thai Navy 1 (1), Hi Jinks (2), Magic (3); in Cruising Amanda (1), Free Wind (2), Reef Knot+ (3); in the Sports Boat Pornstar (1), C U Later (2); in the Platu class Naiad (1), Magic Dragon (2), The Ferret (3); in Ocean Multihulls Cedar Swan (1), Bladerunner (2), The Sting (3).

The 2011 Top of the Gulf Regatta is supported by the Principle Sponsor Ocean Marina as host venue. Co-Sponsors include Land Rover and Range Rover, Thai Airways, Gulf Charters and Mont Clair Wines as Co-sponsors. A large contribution was also made by an anonymous sailor this year. Other sponsors include Ocean Property Co. Ltd., Singha Corporation Group, Thai Numthip Co., Ltd. (Coca Cola), Lucaris, Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, Golden Foods Siam Ltd., Bank of Ayudhya Plc., Seat Boat Co., Ltd., Corsair Marine Thailand Co., Ltd., QBE Insurance (Thailand) Co., Ltd., Mõvenpick ice cream, Nivea, CAT Telecom, Media Representation International and Sail Quest. Media partners include Pattaya Mail, SEA Yachting magazine, Ensign Media and Mix 88.5 FM. The event is supported by the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand (YRAT), Royal Varuna Yacht Club and Pattaya City.

Website: www.topofthegulfregatta.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/TOG-Regatta/179908192379
Photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/infinityprcomms/TopOfTheGulfRegatta2011

# # #

Media Contact
Chanut Nawnarong/ Nungruthai Julakul
Infinity Communications
Tel: +66 (0) 83 650 6848/ +66 (0) 89 512 7030]]> Mon, 02 May 2011 15:21:26 +0000 http://www.setsailthailand.com/forum/topic/2266-australians-leading-the-way-on-first-day-at-top-of-the-gulf-regatta/ http://www.setsailthailand.com/forum/topic/2265-challenging-conditions-flavour-of-day-two-at-top-of-the-gulf-regatta-2011/

Team Premier, from the UAE, leads the IRC Racing 1 class after Day Two.

01 May 2011, (Pattaya) Shifty and light winds were the order of the day on Day Two of the 2011 Top of the Gulf Regatta, held at Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Jomtien Beach, Pattaya, Thailand. The conditions proved a test of tactics and team work (and patience) as all classes got away after a delay on windward-leewards. Race 1 for Ocean Multihulls and IRC Racing 2 saw the course shortened, while all other classes finished.

The wind Gods didn't return to the party and after a wait for the offshore winds to fill-in, PRO Simon James called it a day and cancelled the rest of the day's racing programme.

In IRC Racing 1, the tussle of the top three – Evolution Racing, Hi Fi and Team Premier – continued and ended in the protest room, with the protest subsequently being dismissed. Neil Pryde's Hi Fi crossed the line first and took the handicap honours from Ray Roberts on Evolution Racing and Johannes Waimer on Team Premier.

The IRC Racing 2 boats saw their planned three laps reduced to two as the wind died out towards the end of Race 1. While Katsu (Ben Copley) took line honours he was relegated to third on corrected time behind Ichi Ban (Matt Allen) and Jing Jing (Rick Pointon), first and second respectively.

In IRC Racing 3 Royal Thai Navy 1 (Damrong Sirisakorn) continued their winning ways with another first keeping a clean sheet of three-out-of-three so far in the series. Hi Jinks (Surapol Tippawongse) took second from Magic (David Bell) in third.

San Sanook (Andrew Watt) jumped up from a fourth yesterday to take first place on corrected time today in the Cruising class, from Amanda (Lennart Fahlgren) and Japanese entry Tai Two (Sadunori Osada) in third.

The Platus were looking forward to getting in two or three races today, but conditions only allowed for one and with some poor spinnaker work, a number of boats slipped down the placings. Magic Dragon (Maximillian Soh) and their SMU crew took their second first place with The Ferret (Scott Duncanson) in second and Luck Lady (Kenta Inaba) in third. After a fifth place in the first race of the series yesterday, last years Coronation Cup winner The Ferret, is getting her challenge back on track with two subsequent second place finishes.

The shortened course for the Ocean Multihulls didn't dampen the competitive enthusiasm with The Sting (James Haste) coming to the fore taking her first win of the series from Bladerunner (Alan Carwadine) in second and Cedar Swan (Radab Kanjanavanit) third.

The international fleet of 130 battling for the Thailand Optimist National championship title are giving no quarter. Due to the light winds today, only two out of three planned races were completed. Coming into the day leading the series standings, 12-year-old Pongsapat Pumyam could only manage a fifth and seventh in the tricky weather conditions today, but managed to hold on to his series lead by a single point. Sarawut Phetsiri kept the pressure on with a second and first today, tied in second with Chaninat Poolsirikot who scored a ninth and second place.

Provisional series results after Day Two: in IRC Racing 1 Team Premier (1), Evolution Racing (2), Hi Fi (3); in IRC Racing 2 Ichi Ban (1), Jing Jing (2), Katsu (3); in IRC Racing 3 Royal Thai Navy 1 (1), Hi Jinks (2), Magic (3); in Cruising Amanda (1), San Sanook (2), Free Wind (3); in the Platu class Magic Dragon (1), Naiad (2), The Ferret (3); in Ocean Multihulls Bladerunner (1), The Sting (2), Cedar Swan (3); in the Thailand Optimist Nationals Pongsapat Pumyam (1), Chaninat Poolsirikot (2), Sarawut Phetsiri (3).

Races continue tomorrow, 2nd May, off Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Jomtien Beach, Pattaya, Thailand.

The 2011 Top of the Gulf Regatta is supported by the Principal Sponsor Ocean Marina as host venue. Co-Sponsors include Land Rover and Range Rover, Thai Airways, Gulf Charters and Mont Clair Wines as Co-sponsors. A large contribution was also made by an anonymous sailor this year. Other sponsors include Ocean Property Co. Ltd., Singha Corporation Group, Thai Numthip Co., Ltd. (Coca Cola), Lucaris, Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, Golden Foods Siam Ltd., Bank of Ayudhya Plc., Seat Boat Co., Ltd., Corsair Marine Thailand Co., Ltd., QBE Insurance (Thailand) Co., Ltd., Mõvenpick ice cream, Nivea, CAT Telecom, Media Representation International and Sail Quest. Media partners include Pattaya Mail, SEA Yachting magazine, Ensign Media and Mix 88.5 FM. The event is supported by the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand (YRAT), Royal Varuna Yacht Club and Pattaya City.

Website: www.topofthegulfregatta.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/TOG-Regatta/179908192379
Photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/infinityprcomms/TopOfTheGulfRegatta2011#

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Media Contact
Chanut Nawnarong/ Nungruthai Julakul
Infinity Communications
Tel: +66 (0) 83 650 6848/ +66 (0) 89 512 7030]]> Sun, 01 May 2011 14:40:58 +0000 http://www.setsailthailand.com/forum/topic/2265-challenging-conditions-flavour-of-day-two-at-top-of-the-gulf-regatta-2011/