Strong entry list for Top of the Gulf

by Bill Gasson/TOTG Media on 17 Apr 2010 The 2010 Top of the Gulf Regatta (TOG) will take place 30th April to 4th May, at Ocean Marina Yacht Club (OMYC) at Jomtien Beach, Pattaya, Thailand. Now in its seventh year, the global economic crisis has not slowed down the growth and interest in the Gulf of Thailand's biggest sailing event.

Entries for the big boat classes are up on last year, and the bar has been raised substantially. Ray Roberts is bringing his big boat - the TP52, Evolution Racing, instead of competing in the Platu-division Coronation Cup (which he raced and won last year). HiFi (Neil Pryde) is as yet unconfirmed, but really needs to be there... after beating Roberts into second place in the recent Rolex China Sea and the Subic Commodore's Cup that followed, Roberts leads the Asian Yachting Grand Prix by 19 points to Pryde's 18. And with just the Top of the Gulf and the Koh Samui Regatta remaining in the 10-event series, there's everything to play for.

2009 IRC Racing 1 class winner, Matt Allen, plans to return to defend his crown on his Beneteau First 44.7, Ichi Ban. After winning 8 races out of 9 at the 2009 Phuket King's Cup Regatta, he may not have his own way this year, with entries on the sheet from Ben Copley on his Swan 42 Katsu, and Mark Mizner's Babe.

Coronation Cup entries currently stand at 18, but as Kev 'the Ferrett' Scott says, 'there's always room for more, as long as we've got the boats.'

New OMYC Harbour Master Scott Finsten, is reported to be working hard on suitable berthing for the larger boats.

Evidently, word travels fast on the popularity of the TOG Regatta: a number of boats and crews from Singapore and Malaysia have entered, and the first official entry this year was from an Optimist sailor in Myanmar!

In addition to the international entrants, local Thai-based boats are looking to be out in force. Particularly in the Ocean Multihull class. Seven or more of the large Thailand-based fleet of Corsairs are expected to take part, and with a Phuket contingent and Henry Kaye's Seacart 30 Thor signed up, the Ocean Multihull fleet is presently standing at 13 this year.

There will be loads of Oppies, of course - the ankle-biter fleet is very much a feature of the TOG. Organisers are hoping that the 2008 record of 128 Optimist will be exceeded this year. In addition, a Laser fleet and some Byte II's are expected to join the 2010 TOG Regatta.

Despite the difficult times around the world, the TOG Regatta welcomes back major sponsors Ocean Marina Yacht Club, PTTEX and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and welcomes new major sponsor Lexus cars. Other sponsors and supporters include Bangkok Hospital Pattaya, Bank of Ayudhya, Coca Cola, Corsair Trimarans, Grampian Country Food Group, Gulf Charters Thailand, QBE Insurance, Nivea, OCEAN Portofino, Pattaya City, Raimon Land, Royal Varuna Yacht Club, Singha Corporation, SEAT Boats and the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand.

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

NB. Note from the Organiser:

IRC entrants are reminded that you MUST have a valid IRC certificate - if it needs to be renewed, there is a 5-day processing time. You can email you application to info@ircthailand.com. For those of you who wish to sail in a Performance Handicap Class, please advise Andrew Watt without delay (watta46@gmail.com).

We are endeavoring to finalise the classes, and are considering a Cruising Class under PHS. We are also trying to put together a Sportsboats/Dayboats class based on Australian ratings or PHS, but we do need your input.

If you are not sailing and would still like to assist on the water with race management please contact Scott Finsten for details.

Happy Sailing!

Bill Gasson