Top sailors from around the world heading to Top of the Gulf Regatta, 1st to 5th May 2014
BANGKOK – Top of the Gulf Regatta celebrates its 10th anniversary this year with top sailors from around the world heading to Pattaya, Thailand, to compete in Asia’s largest multi-class regatta from 1st to 5th May 2014 at Ocean Marina Yacht Club.
Regularly attracting in excess of 250 boats and more than 600 sailors from over 30 countries, Top of the Gulf Regatta is known around the world for its competitive sailing across a diverse fleet of boats, and this year organisers expect one of the most competitive fleets yet with boats and crew from Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and from as far away as England and USA.
“The 10th anniversary is shaping up to be one of the best yet. We have a strong line-up of international boats and crew who will be racing a large fleet of local talent across twelve classes this year,” said Mr. William Gasson, Chairman of the Organising Committee.
An iconic event in Pattaya’s sporting calendar, Top of the Gulf Regatta has become a ‘Festival of Sail’, bringing together a large fleet of keelboats and multihulls, dinghies, beach catamarans, windsurfs, the prestigious Coronation Cup and the Thailand Optimist National Championships.
With one of the Regatta’s aims to promote sailing in Thailand, organisers have worked closely with the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand for ten years supporting grassroots sailing in Thailand, and have given thousands of Thai youth sailors the opportunity to develop competitive sailing skills at an international-standard regatta. Thai youngsters have gone on to compete in regional and world sailing championships in recent years, as well as the Olympics.
Having introduced windsurfing to the Regatta a few years ago, organisers have this year brought the RS: One Asian Championship to Thailand – the first time this regional championship has been held in Thailand.
“We are proud to bring the RS:One Asian Championship to Thailand as part of the Top of the Gulf Regatta. This is the first time the championship has been held in Thailand and we are expecting over 30 national team sailors and Olympic hopefuls from around Asia to compete,” commented Gasson.
Top of the Gulf is the only regatta in Thailand to be operated from a marina and Ocean Marina Yacht Club, South East Asia’s largest marina and home of the regatta since the beginning, provides an ideal in-water and onshore base for the Regatta.
“Ocean Marina Yacht Club have been instrumental in the development of sailing in the Gulf of Thailand and in the success and growth of the Top of the Gulf Regatta over the past ten years,” said Gasson. “We look forward to working together and promoting sailing in Thailand for many more years to come.”
A strong fleet of international and domestic boats will compete at the 10th anniversary Top of the Gulf Regatta, held 1st to 5th May 2014 at Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Jomtien Beach, Pattaya, Thailand.
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