Monsoon Cup - Biggest Prize Money in Sailing!

by Rurrum on 29 Nov 2009 The Monsoon Cup 2009 has confirmed its position as the premier match racing event this year by offering the biggest prize purse in all sailing events worldwide.

This year the Monsoon Cup offers a total prize money of MYR1.57m (~US$454, 000).

The increase is a result of support from key sponsors for the Monsoon Cup which is the final leg of the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT). The winner pockets MYR360, 000 (~US$104,000) all the way to the last team (12th place) which receives MYR50, 000 (~US$14,400).

Monsoon Cup Race Advisor, Datuk Peter Gilmour said, 'This makes the regatta the biggest prize pool available throughout all sailing events in 2009. Importantly, the Monsoon Cup marks the final stage of the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) where the ISAF World Champion will be crowned.'

The Monsoon Cup which enters its fifth year will be staged at the Ri-Yaz Heritage Marina Resort & Spa in Kuala Terengganu in Malaysia from Dec 1st -6th. The inaugural event was held in 2005.

Gilmour noted that the increase in prize money is attributed to the increased sponsorship commitments from the key sponsors and the State Government of Terengganu in providing such outstanding facilities and intra-government support that takes the event to a new level.

The WMRT is the leading professional sailing series featuring nine World Championship events across the globe and the World Tour is sanctioned by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) with 'Special Event' status alongside such tours which include the America’s Cup and Volvo Ocean Race.

WMRT Tour Director Craig Mitchell said, 'We are excited to see Malaysia once again producing the biggest prize purse on the WMRT. Match Cup Korea overtook Monsoon Cup in 2007 but in 2008 the Monsoon Cup was on top again and now to add an additional 50% to the purse Monsoon Cup is an incredible development'.

'The racing teams normally utilise their prize money and individual team sponsor endorsement revenue that they earn in covering their expenses for airfares, accommodations, damages, race deposits and coaching to support them during the tour.' Mitchell said in a statement today.

The Monsoon Cup is a project of the Malaysian Ministry of Youth and Sports and it is proudly hosted by the State of Terengganu and is supported by key sponsors Richard Mille, TM, Cartrade Group (CTG), Astro, Firefly Airline, and Ri-Yaz Heritage Marina Resort & Spa.

For more information or media registration to access high resolution images go to www.monsooncup.com.my

WMRT 2009 Tour Standings (after 8 of 9 events)

Tour Standings - (After 8 of 9 events)
1. Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing 100 Points
2. Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 88 Points
3. Ian Williams (GBR) Team Pindar 75 Points
4. Mathieu Richard (FRA), French Match Racing Team Racing 74 Points
5. Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR 71 Points
6. Ben Ainslie, (GBR) Team Origin 65 Points
7. Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team 48 Points
8. Sebastien Col, (FRA) French Match Racing Team 41 Points

About the World Match Racing Tour:

• The World Match Racing Tour is the leading professional sailing series featuring 9 World
Championship events across the globe

• The World Tour is sanctioned by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) with 'Special
Event' status

• The World Tour awards over US$1.5million in prize money

• Points are awarded at each event culminating in the crowning of the ‘ISAF Match Racing
World Champion’

• Events utilize the same 'match race' format used in the America’s Cup with racing taking
place in identically supplied racing yachts which places a focuses on team work and skill.
Racing takes place close to the shore for the general public to follow the races as virtual on-
the-water stadiums.

• Media and television highlights coverage reaches over 600 million households in excess of
90 countries around the world

About The Monsoon Cup

The Monsoon Cup 2005 celebrated its debut as the 50th official event of the Swedish Match Tour (now known as the World Match Racing Tour), and serves as the Malaysian leg for the prestigious international sailing event. This professional sailing series was formed in 2000 to unite the world's best match-race regattas under one banner.
The World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) comprises nine events in nine specially selected locations around the world. As the leading professional sailing series in the world, the Tour events are recognized as must-attend regattas on the match-race circuit.

The Monsoon Cup 2009 will be held at Pulau Duyong, Terengganu, from the 1st to 6th December 2009. Website : www.monsooncup.com.my