2008 - 09 AY Race Reports - News and Views articles

Changes to 2009-10 AY GP calendar of events
Each year the events on the annual AsianYachting Grand Prix Championships come under scrutiny, as this is the best way to determine the top Skipper and Racing Yacht of the Year in Asian waters. The top three Racing Class results at 10 major Asian Events held during the year are scored as a series. This year the Biennial HK to Vietnam Race has been dropped in favour of the Six Senses Phuket Raceweek which kicks off the 2009-10 Season from the 22nd - 26th July. The Rolex China Sea Race returns in April 2010 and becomes the tenth event on the program. All other events on the annual sailing calendar remain the same as last season. Check out the events and the pointscore as the championship unfolds at: http://asianyachting.com/news/AYGP09-10.htm

2008-09 AY GP Photo Gallery posted
All the best racing class shots and trophy presentations taken at the nine events that made up the 2008-09 AYGP have been posted Here... Browse the rest of the AY Photo Library where most of the major Asian Regattas since 2004, the 2008 Olympic Games, Volvo Ocean Race in Singapore and the annual AYGP Championships since the 2003-04 Season can be accessed from: http://asianyachting.com/photos/default.htm

AY Advertising rates dramatically reduced...
Due to the present global economic crises we have been forced to drastically reduce the advertising rates on the AY Website and spot ads at the bottom of the popular AY Race Reports. Along with improving the events profile and the growing stature of AY Media coverage, regatta sponsors seeking extra mileage for their dollar have realised how valuable the four advertising spots on the daily emailed Race Reports and published on the webpage edition can be for their overall marketing campaigns. Full Sponsor (Was US$500 - Now only US$300) per advertiser to claim a spot for the duration of the regatta. Check out the rates for the advertising spots in the monthly AY News & Views, Rotating Banners on the website and the AY Shopping Mall where special innovative marketing and inexpensive merchandising ideas like Sailing Gloves have been successfully used to enhance the value of their regatta sponsorship at: http://asianyachting.com/Mall/Advertising.htm

2008-09 Skipper and Yacht of the Year - Neil Pryde & Hi Fi
By winning the Sawadee.com Regatta, Neil Pryde and Hi Fi have scored a record 20 points in the 2008-09 AsianYachting Grand Prix Championships. They have dominated the racing class this season and scored podium places in all eight regattas that they have contested this season. Five wins, two second places and one third place is worthy of being crowned the 2008-09 Skipper and Yacht of the Year. This is also the third time Neil has won the prestigious award over the seven years it has been contested. He has shown a remarkable ability to successfully run a racing campaign in Asian waters over the last 20 years and long may it continue. Final pointscore and see how the championships unfolded at: http://asianyachting.com/news/AYGP08-09.htm

Sawadee.com Regatta 2009 - The winners are grinners...
06 June 09: Although there was a lull in proceedings yesterday, normal service was resumed today and two races saw the successful completion of the Sawadee.com Regatta - the 8th Samui Regatta and the 2008-09 Asian season. Several outstanding individual performances were rewarded by leading the overall class standings and although some classes have already been decided, others had it all to play for. Bright sunshine, blue sky and 8 to 10 knots of wind set the scene for the final showdown off Chaweng Beach. Having dominated the racing class Neil Pryde's Welbourne 52 Hi Fi run of five wins in a row was broken when the Fred Kinmonth/Nick Burns owned Mills 51 Fortis Mandrake claimed first place in Race 7 by a mere six seconds. Second place for Hi Fi gave them a run away overall win and they did not have to compete on the final race.Goto: AY Race Reports HERE... Browse the AY Photo Gallery

Raising Impy from her sandy grave...
22nd May 2009: On a recent visit to Palau Tioman Capt Marty was recalled to Pulau Rawa as Tengku Khairul decided to dig out his farther's beloved racing yacht Impy that has laid buried on the beach for the last eight years in front of his Rawa Island resort. At the height of the La Nina storms back in December 2000 the mooring line on the Jeanneau - Selection 37 broke and the rough seas drove her onto the beach in front of Le Club Rawa, breaking off the keel in the process. When the shifting sands returned the winner of the first ever Phuket King's Cup in Thailand was completely submerged up to the deck and full of sand inside to the gunnels. Complete story and Photo Edition at: http://asianyachting.com/Archive/Impy.htm

2008-09 AYGP Championships - 3 newcomers join the fray...
After the TOTGR three newcomers join eight other skippers and yachts that have scored points in the AYGP this season. Also for the first time the TOTGR has been added to the Championships which determines the annual Racing Class Skipper and Boat of the Year. The win for Matt Allen's Beneteau 44.7 Ichi Ban puts them in fifth overall, Pascal Leray's Jarkan 38 Breakaway in 8th and Gary Baguely's Holman & Pye El Coyote in 11th spot. Welcome aboard... Although Neil Pryde's Welbourne 52 Hi Fi with 17 points has scored a run away win this season several teams are looking at regrouping for next season and bragging rights still remain at the final regattas remaining this season. Points are awarded and updated after each event as the championships unfolds at: http://asianyachting.com/news/AYGP08-09.htm - AY TOTGR Photo Gallery

Top of the Gulf 09 - All over bar the bragging..
04 May 09: Despite some classes already decided all eyes were on the Platu fleet for the prestigious Coronation Cup. Ray Roberts Wikki Quantum Racing and Scott Duncanson's reigning TOTG champion The Ferret have been trading blows throughout the three days of racing with Roberts holding a slight advantage coming into today's final. As they congregated at the start line several attempts were made to cover Wikki Quantum Racing down at the pin end of the line. With seconds to go it was obvious that some boats were over the line despite warnings from PRO Gerry Rollin. As the horn sounded bow number 124 The Ferret and 125 Gulf Charters were recalled for being on the course side of the line. After exonerating themselves they started at the back of the 14 boat fleet and unless a miracle happened they were dead and buried. What an anticlimax. When the boats returned to the downwind mark who else other than Ray Roberts and Wikki Quantum Racing had taken a commanding lead and went on to win the race. Goto: AY Race Reports HERE... AY Photo Gallery

San Fernando Race 2009
10th April 2009: Purplefinder tracking shows that fleet leader Strewth experienced a drop in speed around 0700hrs this morning, which has picked back up to the 8+ knot mark, but which looks to have put the Race record out of her grasp. At 12:30:00 (Hong Kong time) there were still 26nm to cover to cross the finish line at San Fernando, giving an ETA in the region of 16:30:00, well outside the target finish time of 14:15:12. Looking a little further back in the fleet exposes some serious challenges to the IRC Racing Division title. Still 130nm out from the finish, Red Kite II is putting in a sterling maiden performance in the racing division, looking likely to finish around 12 hours behind the leader. With Strewth giving the Archambault 35 some 19 minutes an hour on IRC, watchers have been entertained well beyond the Line Honours gun. RHKYC Daily Reports & Final Results...

Body of missing yachtsman found in Thailand
31 March 2009 The body of 64-year-old Malcolm Robertson has been found by the authorities in Thailand a week after he went missing during a robbery onboard his yacht. Thai fishermen found a body 10 miles north of Lipeh Island in Satun, southern Thailand. The three Burmese fishermen arrested last week have now been charged with murder, having admitted boarding the yacht and robbing Robertson and his wife Linda. The Foreign and Commonwealth office is providing consular support to Robertson's wife who survived the attack with minor injuries and family members who have flown in from the UK. In the meantime the scene of the tragedy, the Adang Archipelago lies, as it always did, a quiet dream escape from the busy mainland of Thailand. Full details Here...

Warm climate retirement homes going cheap
As Port Dickson, Malaysia has not yet recovered from the early nineties building boom and subsequent 1997 Asian financial collapse, there is an excess supply of condominium apartments in housing estates and marina's, going incredibly cheap. Anywhere around Malaysian Ringgit MR 70k to 150k (US$ 19k to 40k) will get you a two or three bedroom apartment or house lot. More and more foreigners enjoy living in a warm climate all year round and have taken to basing themselves in sunny PD. Imagine if an air conditioned, 2 bedroom apartment, with all the furniture could be yours for RM90,000 (around Euro 20k)? Come try us out! Would suite retired couples looking for somewhere quiet to get them through the present economic crises. Goto: AY Real-Estate page Here...

Gulf of Aden Pirate Corridor - New coordinates in effect
February to April are the months when most cruising sailors are going east to west across the Indian Ocean, and set out to transit the pirate infested Gulf of Aden. At this time of year the trade winds in the Red Sea are favorable, and a boat will reach the Mediterranean just in time for the European Spring. Between August to November during the SW trades is when yachts are likely to make the return journey from west to east. As this area has become notoriously famous for pirate attacks, a security corridor International Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) has been established, and boats are advised to travel in convoys. New coordinates came into effect on 0001Z 01 FEB 09 See Map & goto Full Details Here...

Neil Pryde raps up 2008-09 AYGP Championship with 2 events left to run.
By winning the President's Cup and scoring podium places at all major regattas included in the AYGP Championship this season, Neil Pryde and his Welbourne 52 Hi Fi have rapped up the 2008-09 Skipper and Yacht of the Year award with two regattas left to run. Coming into the President's Cup, Ray Roberts and his DK46 Quantum Racing were the only team mathematically within reach of Hi Fi but Pryde's sheer tenacity and Hi Fi's dominance at events this season have made them worthy winners. Eight skippers and yachts have scored points so far in the Championships, that fairly grades competing boat owners ability to successfully run a racing campaign in Asian waters over the 2008 - 09 Season. Points are awarded and updated after each event as the championships unfolds at: http://asianyachting.com/news/AYGP08-09.htm

17th President's Cup - Neil Pryde is crowned 2009 PC Champion...
All eyes were on the battle between Ray Ordoveza's Excel 53 Karakoa and Neil Pryde's Welbourne 52 Hi Fi for first overall in the Racing Class. Both enjoy a good blow and the crew work has been exceptional to date. A bit of covering before the start then they were off. Ernesto Echauz's Sydney 46 Centennial helmed by Aussie Jamie Wilmot entered the fray and more than ever determined to defend the title. After three laps the boats had established there handicap spacing's and it was hard to determine a winner so the race committee were asked for results before the final race got underway. These were not forthcoming until the boats were half way around the final race. Neil Pryde stayed away from the pin end fracas and crossed the start line on port tack in clear air with pace to go on and score two wins on the final day to be crowned the 2009 overall winner. AY Race Reports Here... Boracay Race & Presidents Cup Photo Gallery at: http://asianyachting.com/photos/photo.htm?BoracayPC09

Sailor chick of the President's Cup.
It has been extremely difficult to chose from the three superb beauties that entered the competition but a decision has to be made. By popular demand Rona Martins (In red bikini) crewing on Paul Bankowski's Kerr 11.3 Jaywalker getsthe nod. Apologies must go to all the other crews that made a big effort to enter the competition. I did not know that winning a pair of AY Gloves could be that popular despite the tough sailing conditions. Anyhow if anyone knows Rona's address in the Philippines we will send a pair of the best to protect those little pinky's asap.

Manila to Boracay Race - Foxy Lady IV nails it on first outing
As the 200NM course was along the outer fringes of a broad low pressure system, the resultant scattered rain storms and shifty wind conditions left the bulk of the fleet at sea for a second night and struggling to reach Boracay in under 48 hours. Most skippers have stories where they were up with the leading boats in the early stages but a storm came across and they disappeared off the radar, never to be seen again. Others experienced isolated strong tidal flows while some boats sailed past only 100 meters away. Bill Bremner claims a tactical call by Andy MacPhail to go outside of the Bacos Islands gave them the jump needed to win the race on there first outing. AY Race Reports & Results Here...

Phang Nga Bay Regatta - Voted most picturesque regatta in Asia
30.1.09: The tiny Firefly Voodoo Child was the toast of sailors last night after running up a very credible performance during the four day annual Phang Nga Bay Regatta. Peter Ahern from Perth put up a huge performance on Y0!2, chalking a 1,1,2, and a 1 to take the Racing Division, 3 points ahead of rival Katsu (Ben Copley). Other notable performers over the week included Phoenix (Niels HS Degenkowl) snatching the Cruising A class on the last day, Remington (Jim Ellis) three wins to secure Cruising B two years in a row, Sunsail Princess Sharda (Luke Mills) in the Darwin One design Class and The Sting (Dave Wales) narrow one point win in the Multihull Class. Daily Race Reports, Final Results and photos are posted at: http://asianyachting.com/news/PNBR09.htm

The Impiana Adventure - Job well done...
31 Jan 09: After a little over 20 days of racing Andrew Findlay and the motley crew onboard the Beneteau 45f5 Impiana rejoiced with joy as they crossed the finish line in Bahia, Brazil. Job well done. Although on the final couple of days the sentimental South African entrant Voortrekker skippered by Marcello Burricks somehow found a new lease of life and sailed past them to snatch away fourth place and relegate Impiana down to fifth overall out of 10 starters in the Racing Class. This is a great result for basically a small cruising boat to be racing against internationally high profile race yachts, like Mike Slade's 100ft ICAP Leopard that took line honours 10 days ago and George David's 90ft maxi yacht Rambler that took the handicap honours. Neil Pryde's old boat Hi Fidelity now co-skippered by E De Villiers / G Sindler claimed third place a couple of days back and two boats have retired with damage. Four boats that they convincingly beat on handicap are out and out racing boats that regularly take the honours on the South African racing scene and will have to cough up a bottle of rum or two for the confident wagers they placed before the start of this Classic Race. Full C2B results and take a walk down memory lane by viewing the entire Impiana Adventure thus far at: http://asianyachting.com/news/Impiana.htm Cheers, Andy"

The Impiana Adventure - Cape to Bahia Yacht Race
For those that have not followed Andrew Findlay's adventure across the Indian Ocean to South Africa last year onboard his Malaysian registered Beneteau 45f5 Impiana may not know that they are presently running in fourth place in the Cape to Bahia Yacht Race (Formerly the Cape to Rio Race) which kicked off on Jan 10th 2009. As they had come all the way to race in this Classic event and did not want to join the cruising class and stop on the way for some sightseeing they opted for the Racing Class. Although Mike Slade's 100ft ICAP Leopard smashed the race record a week ago and David George's maxi yacht Rambler has rapped up Handicap Honours on Day 17 of the 3,330NM classic Andrew's Impiana has only 541 miles to go. Having been hampered by light winds on the last half of the race they have kept up with similar sized racing class boats and have come through unscathed from the hard going earlier. Neil Pryde's old boat Hi Fidelity now owned by E De Villiers / G Sindler claimed third place a couple of days back. There are four boats within fifty miles of each other approaching the finish line, Impiana has the lowest IRC handicap of them all. So go baby go! To follow there progress goto: http://www.heinekencapetobahia.co.za or take a walk down memory lane by viewing the entire Impiana Adventure thus far with photos can be found at: http://asianyachting.com/news/Impiana.htm Cheers, Andy"

2008/09 AY GP Championships - Only three events left...
Neil Pryde's convincing win on Hi Fi at the Singapore Straits extends there lead to 14 points, thereby turning the 2008-09 AYGP Championships into a two horse race. A close battle is taking shape at the top of the pointscore. Second place for Ray Roberts and Quantum Racing slows down there meteoric rise up the order but with five points separating first and second places overall they are the only boat within striking distance with three regattas left to run this season. Third place for Bill Brenner / Andy Cocks TP52 Foxy Lady gives them one point on there first outing and makes them the seventh boat to score this season after six events. This could well go down to the wire and is dependant on who turns up at the remaining three events - Presidents Cup in Boracay, the newly included Top of the Gulf Regatta in Pattaya and the season ending Koh Samui Regatta at the beginning of June. Points are awarded and updated after each event as the championships unfolds at: http://asianyachting.com/news/AYGP08-09.htm

SSR 09 - Photo Gallery posted online
Catch all the action from the wind strewn Singapore Straits Regatta. Also amongst the 85 images are highlights of the Volvo Ocean Race Re-Start and in the absence of a SSR media boat, many thanks must go to SSR PRO Richard Cai who arranged to stow me onboard the startboat Lady Olivier for the first two days of racing and to Herman Ho for the last two days in Batam. Surprisingly in the rough conditions most of the competitors appear at least once in the gallery at: http://asianyachting.com/photos/photo.htm?SSR09 If you would like to take a look at other regattas over the last few years go to the extensive AY Photo Library at: http://asianyachting.com/photos/default.htm High resolution copies are available upon request.

Singapore Straits Regatta - Glorious end to a fine regatta...
With 15 knots of breeze the twenty odd mile passage race from Batam, Indonesia to Changi Sailing Club in Singapore was completed in record time despite over ten miles of slogging to windward. The bigger boats had a chance to stretch there legs on the reaching legs that made up the rest of the race. In the Racing Class Neil Pryde's Welbourne 52 Hi Fi capped of a brilliant regatta with another win, thereby keeping a clean score sheet with seven wins out of seven races. After plugging away all regatta Fred Kinmonth / Nick Burns Farr-Mills 51 Fortis Mandrake finally jumped up into second place today which will no doubt please the crew after all there hard work. Third place for Ray Roberts DK46 Quantum Racing has them holding onto second overall but wondering what they have to do to beat a revitalized Hi Fi at the rest of the Asian regattas. Fourth place for Bill Bremner / Andy Cocks TP52 Foxy Lady IV earns them third overall and the crew have gained valuable experience on racing a TP52 in medium to strong winds. AY Race Reports Here... SSR 09 Photo Gallery Here

Volvo Ocean Race - Singapore Stopover & Restart Photo Gallery
The Volvo Ocean Race returned to the race track in spectacular style when the horn sounded at 1300 local time, signifying the start of the 2,500 nautical mile leg to Qingdao, China. Ken Read's Puma nailed the start from the middle of the line, closely followed by Torben Grael's Ericsson 4 taking the windward berth. Right from the onset the battle commenced in earnest and both had their bows ahead of the rest. Delta Lloyd, with new navigator Frits Koek in the chair, chose the pin end. Both Telefónica boats and Ian Walker's Green Dragon were in the second row as the gun fired and the fleet pounded up the first two-mile beat. AY was lucky enough to be onboard the startboat Lady O courtesy of SSR PRO Richard Cai and recorded some of the action which have been posted in the VOR 09 Singapore Photo Gallery Here... The rest of the action can be found at: http://www.volvooceanrace.org

Next up the Singapore Straits Regatta
Following on in quick succession is the Singapore Straits Regatta this weekend. We are especially looking forward to the Volvo Ocean Race restart and going to the completely refurbished Nongsa Point Marina in Batam. This year Changi Yacht Club plays host by returning to the traditional format of windward/leeward and passage races to be held both in Singaporean and Indonesian waters. The NE Monsoon winds have already arrived and expected to produce excellent sailing conditions for the Straits Regatta but will be a force to be reckoned with for the Volvo fleet on there 2500nm race (4 Sydney to Hobarts) to Qingdao, China. AY coverage begins on Friday and further details can be found at: http://www.straitsregatta.com

RLIR 09 - Photo Gallery posted online
One hundred and fifteen selected images have made it into the RLIR 09 Photo Gallery. The captain and crew of the Royal Malaysian Navy assault craft must be thanked dearly for there extreme maneuvering during the event. With 2 x 800hp jet propulsion units they not only can get very quickly out to the course and back but also managed to hold position so the photographers could capture some very close shots at the rounding marks and at the same time highlight the beauty of the Langkawi islands. I think most the competitors appear at least once in the gallery at: http://asianyachting.com/photos/photo.htm?RLIR09 If you would like to take a look at other regattas over the last few years go to the extensive AY Photo Library at: http://asianyachting.com/photos/default.htm High resolution copies are available on request.

2008/09 AY GP Championships - Ray Roberts closes in on leaders
A close battle is taking shape at the top of the pointscore. Ray Roberts and Quantum Racing are rising up the order in leaps and bounds after winning the King's Cup and the Royal Langkawi Int. Regatta. Two second places for Neil Pryde and Hi Fi has them firmly planted on top of the leaderboard, four points in front of Ray Roberts. Paul Winkelmann's TP52 Island Fling holds onto third place but it is unknown which other Asian regatta's they are likely to contest this season. Fred Kinmonth / Nick Burns Farr-Mills 51 Fortis Mandrake rejoins the fold at the Singapore Straits Regatta next week and Bill Bremner's TP52 Foxy Lady will be making there first appearance in home waters after being foiled by engine problems on the way to the King's Cup. Points are awarded and updated after each event as the championships unfolds at: http://asianyachting.com/news/AYGP08-09.htm

Sailor Chick of the Regatta
It has been very difficult to make a decision from the four chicks chosen during the RLIR 09. But eventually the Singaporean SMU Team skippered by Zijie Christopher Lim, who came from behind to clinch victory in the Sportsboat Class that got the nod. A couple of leggy students caught our photographers eye on the second day of racing and eventually it came down to Sherilyn Tan on the foredeck that becomes the Sailor Chick of the RLIR 09. Welcome aboard, the prize is a free pair of AY Gloves which can be picked up at the next regatta. A special page with the regatta winners for all to see has been created at: http://asianyachting.com/news/SailorChicks0809.htm

Royal Langkawi Int Regatta - Ray Roberts makes it four wins in a row
Race nine saw Neil Pryde's Hi-Fi slam home the advantage and take victory with the boss back on the helm. Peter Ahern's YO!2 has been plugging away all regatta and apart from the Race 2 win is not suited to the heavy going on the outside courses but reveled in the Bass Harbour flatter water to score two second places today. This left overall leader Ray Roberts Quantum Racing in third place and getting more worried by the minute. A huge gust came through minutes before the Race 10 start which had the skippers going each and every way but with only seconds left to start the breeze returned back to normal. At the same time Ray Roberts made his move to nail the line in front of his competitors. After the start line melee Neil Pryde was first to the top mark only for Hi Fi's keel to snag the anchor line and sail away with the buoy. This laid the way open for Quantum Racing to capitalise and go on to win the last race and rap up the series. AY Race Reports Here... Goto RLIR09 Photo Gallery Here...

The Impiana Adventure - Richards Bay and Durban
Andrew Findlay harbored a strong desire to do some serious ocean sailing and has taken his Malaysian registered Beneteau 45f5 "Impiana" across the Indian Ocean to South Africa and entered the Cape to Bahia Yacht Race (Formerly the Cape to Rio Race) which historically kicks off on Jan 3rd 2009. To date the Impiana Adventure has crossed the Indian Ocean via Chagos and Seychelles to Madagascar, then across the Mozambique channel in just under 5 days, arriving at Bazaruto Island on Saturday 25th Oct. Then onto Richards Bay, Durban and arrived in Capetown in December and presently being prepared for the C2B race. The full story so far with photos can be found by Clicking Here... Cheers, Andy"

Sailing Survey proves valuable for Tourism Industry
A team of six PR staff from Infinity Communications attended the first three days of the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta and conducted over 120 interviews with skippers and sailors. The primary aim is to acquaint all participants with the Top of the Gulf Regatta and secondary to gather general information on competitors trends at Asian events. The findings of this survey show that sailing events in Thailand generate a lot of revenue for Thailand's tourism industry. As a courtesy the results were initially shared with the PKCR and Ko Samui Regattas plus AY received a copy and have generated a page for all to see at: http://asianyachting.com/news/SurveyThailand.htm

2008 Rolex Sydney Hobart Race in under two days
Sun 28th Dec: At 09.34.14 AEDT Bob Oatley's, Reichel/Pugh, 30m (98-foot) supermaxi Wild Oats XI took line honours in the 64th edition of the 628 nm 2008 Rolex Sydney Hobart Race. This is Wild Oats XI's fourth straight line honours victory. 100 boats started on 26th Dec and with favourable downwind conditions the high tech racers have finished the race in under two days. Second boat home was Grant Wharington's Don Jones designed, 30m (98-foot) Skandia, which held the lead over Wild Oats XI for much of the race and had threatened to steal the show. With the clock ticking the race for the overall handicap vinner went on till 1000 AEDT the next day until it was confirmed Bob Steel's TP52 Quest had held off all threats to become the 2008 overall champion. Full results at: http://www.rolexsydneyhobart.com

2008 - 09 Volvo Ocean Race - AY Malacca Straits Updates
Telefonica Blue keep there heads to triumph on Leg 3
Monday, 22 December 2008 22:51:22 Asian Time
Telefonica Blue won leg three but close behind, PUMA has grabbed second place, while the Nordic crew on board Ericsson 3 pushed their stable mates and overall race leader, Ericsson 4 into fourth place for the leg. It was among the closest leg finishes in the race history, with the top four boats finishing within 20 minutes following nearly 10 days of racing. Bouwe Bekking from the finish line: "A very happy bunch here on Telefonic Blue. We kept our heads cool today, and as predicted it wasn't over until close to the finish. We had all the excitement in the last 50 miles, dodging fishing nets, zig-zagging around tugboats, hundreds of commercial ships, and then the wind which was ranging from 20 knots to nearly zero. A real test for all the guys minds, as our nice advantage over the others nearly vanished, but we pulled it off and all the guys did a marvelous job. A better Xmas present we couldn't have wished for." Goto all the 2008-09 VOR - Malacca Straits Updates or browse the VOR 08 Photos taken off Port Dickson on Monday 22nd morning Click Here

AY Photo Library - Christmas Image Giveaway
Christmas presents come early this year. All you have to do is check out the extensive AY Regatta Photo Library and if you find a photo you like, send us the details under the image and which gallery it came from, then we will send you "Absolutely free" the highest quality resolution that we have on file. You may think this offer makes diabolical business sense for an internet company to do in these financially tough times. But in a world which is ruled by the number of website page views and hits per day, we find the marked increase in web traffic as you browse the vast array of images available more valuable than the monetary value - After all it's Christmas. So what are you waiting for? Start clicking the mouse and sending your photo requests to: info@asianyachting.com We are ready and waiting to send your Christmas presents early. If selecting multiple images make sure your email box is empty or has storage capability to receive files up to 5 MB in size. Oh! I almost forgot with all this free Giveaway stuff on my mind - all our faithful subscribers are invited to share a few sailing yarns at the annual AY Boxing Day barbeque to be held poolside at PD World Marina on Friday 26th Dec and Merry Christmas from everyone at AsianYachting.

2008/09 AY GP Championships - Ray Roberts climbs the leader board
Quantum Racing's meteoric comeback at the King's Cup has earned Ray Roberts and Quantum Racing three valuable points in the annual AYGP Championships. Just in a nick of time if the defending champions are to give themselves any chance of retaining the Asian Racing Class Skipper and Yacht of the Year title. Second place for Neil Pryde's Hi Fi sees them take a commanding lead with nine points (Five points in front of Ray Roberts after 4 regattas) as we near the halfway point of the 2008-09 Season. Despite dropping to third at the KC, Paul Winkelmann's TP52 Island Fling still holds onto second place in the AYGP with six points (Three points of the pace) after winning the China Coast Regatta and placing second on the HK to Vietnam Race earlier in the season. Racing continues early January with the Royal Langkawi Int. Regatta and followed in quick succession by the Singapore Straits Regatta which has theadded spectacle of starting just five minutes after the eight Volvo Ocean Race yachts get away on Leg 4 Singapore to Qingdao. Points are awarded and updated after each event as the championships unfolds at: http://asianyachting.com/news/AYGP08-09.htm

Sailor Chick of the Regatta
Having decided to spice up the AY media coverage by introducing our very own AY Sailor Chick of the Regatta we awarded Phoenix bow-chick, Majbritt Degenkolw with the Sailor Chick of the Raja Muda. During the King's Cup selected contestants photos appeared at the bottom of the Race Reports and after great deliberation the Sailor Chick of the King's Cup is the lovely and cheerful Ashley Kearns gracefully helming Bad Habits in the IRC 2 class. They may not have won any trophies at the KC but being entrusted with Des Kearns completely refurbished Bad Habits which languished in the RSYC back boat park for many years, we award them for her bravery in a usually male dominated role and especially for giving the old girl a new lease of life. The prize is a free pair of AY Gloves which can be picked up at the next regatta or by contacting the AY Headquarters in Port Dickson, Malaysia. So girls, as the Asian Regatta Season is now back in full swing, if you see the media boat coming nearby, hitch up the skirt, strike a pose and if successful the image will automatically enter the competition and the eventual winner will be revealed after the event.

Phuket King's Cup 08 - Photo Gallery
Don't worry if you missed out on some of the fantastic King's Cup sailing action last week. We have posted 116 images in easy slide show format that takes you down memory lane, from start to finish including lots of close ups, Sailor Chick of the Regatta contestants, Navy Sail past and the Royal Awards Ceremony. View the PKCR 08 Photo Gallery Click Here... or if you like to flashback to any other Asian regattas held over the last few years check out the extensive AY Regatta Photo Library If you want any copies make sure to get involved with our Christmas Image Giveaway

Phuket King's Cup - Ray Roberts bags third Racing Class title
At the start of proceedings Paul Winkelmann's TP52 Island Fling sat on top of the table, two points in front of Ray Roberts DK 46 Quantum Racing and Neil Pryde's Welbourne 52 Hi-Fi that were tied on points with one race to go. Cautious starts were the order of the day and Neil Pryde's Hi-Fi had the jump on Paul Winkelmann's Island Fling around the top mark. Frank Pong's Jelik extended at the front of the fleet. Island Fling overtook Hi-Fi on the downwind and the now all to familiar order was reestablished. The elastic band effect between the boats and judging time and distance as the wind faded made it almost impossible to pick a winner. Jelik took line honours well out in front. When Island Fling and Hi-Fi crossed the line, the clock started ticking and the crews waited in anticipation for Mandrake and Quantum Racing to finish. As Quantum Racing crossed the line it was high fives all round and thumbs up to the media boat to indicate overall victory is in sight. Access AY Race Reports Here... or goto the KC Photo Gallery

WMRT - Monsoon Cup 08 - Elated Gilmour King of Monsoon Cup
King of the 2008 Monsoon Cup for the second time is Peter Gilmour and his Yanmar Racing team. Challenged on every part of the race course through four very tough races, Gilmour and his team of Yasuhiro Yaji, Rod Dawson, Thierry Douillard and Kazuhiko Sofuku, are deserved winners of the 2008 Monsoon Cup. It is a testament to the skills of this sailor that he was able to make the seamless move from Race Advisor to successful skipper. “I feel very elated. It has been a long few months for us to pull the event together and then the deck was pretty well stacked against me for doing well here. I have tremendous crew here, which kept me concentrating, kept me sailing. They are not too hard on me when I make basic mistakes like running into committee boats and just keep me rolling along. “Clearly we were very lucky to be in the final. We probably did not deserve to be on the race course, but here we are and we won the final. MC 08 Press Releases
WMRT - MONSOON CUP Asian Qualifiers 2008 - Swinton and Black Swan Racing into Monsoon Cup Press Releases here
WMRT - MONSOON CUP Malaysian Qualifiers 2008 - Nurul wins wild card into Monsoon Cup Press Releases here

Raja Muda Selangor Int. Regatta - Hi-Fi makes it four wins for Neil Pryde
Nature played into the hands of the organisers allowing them to hold three races in succession for the racing classes and complete the entire program for all classes. Final results hinged on today's performance and the fresh breeze saw the sailors out early fine tuning the crew drills before the high noon starting time. With the absence of Frank Pong, Philippine skipper Louie Perfectua went out to show that Jelik's Race 5 win from Penang to Langkawi was no fluke. Taking three resounding Line Honours victories, two Handicap wins and a third place today might be a case of when the boss is away the mice are at play. Despite Jelik's fine performance lifting them to second overall they could not shake off Neil Pryde's Welbourne 52 Hi-Fi, whose three early wins, three second and one third place was enough to become the 2008 RMSIR Racing Class champion. Access AY Race Reports Here... or go to: Photo Gallery

2008/09 AY GP Championships - After round 2
After two opening events in which Paul Winkelmann's TP52, Island Fling have scored first and second places, they stay on the top of the pointscore and advance with a narrow one point lead in the overall standings. Victory for Neil Pryde's Welbourne 52 Hi Fi in the Vietnam Race places them in second spot and in familiar territory having won the AYGP twice before. Despite having to withdraw from the Vietnam Race the Burns / Kinmonth Farr-Mills 51 Fortis Mandrake hold onto third place and Sam Chan's TP52 FfreeFire 52 round out the scorers to date. The action now swings over to SE Asia with the Raja Muda Regatta in November when they will be joined by defending champion Ray Roberts on Quantum Racing and the DK Yachts DK46 Janda Baik. Frank Pong is also expected to rejoin the fold in Malaysia and could go on to the winning ways that won him the 2006/07 title. Points are awarded and updated after each event as the championships unfolds at: http://asianyachting.com/news/AYGP08-09.htm

The Impiana Adventure - Mozambique Channel Crossing
Four years ago, Andrew Findlay harbored a strong desire to do some serious ocean sailing and is now taking his Malaysian registered Beneteau 45f5 "Impiana" across the Indian Ocean to South Africa, with the view of entering the Cape to Bahia yacht race (previously known as the Cape to Rio) which historically kicks off in early January 2009. Our crossing of the Mozambique channel took just under 5 days, arriving at Bazaruto island on the afternoon of Saturday 25th Oct. All going well, we should make Richards Bay before November. Full story can be found Here... Cheers, Andy"

Hi Fi wins VinaCapital Hong Kong to Vietnam Race
Early position reports, suggested that this was going to be one of the fastest Hong Kong to Vietnam races on record. However by day two it was apparent that the wind gods had declined to cooperate. Chasing a record of 42h 45m 41s, Neil Pryde's Welbourne 52 Hi Fi took Line Honours with an elapsed time of 56h 06m 37s. Hi Fi eased across the line under the cover of darkness, just 40 minutes ahead of Paul Winkelmann's TP52, Island Fling. There was a further four hour wait before Sam Chan's TP52 FfreeFire 52 came into sight, finishing just after the witching hour on Saturday morning. The corrected time positions followed the on-the-water order to give Neil pryde and Hi Fi the daily double. Goto RHKYC Race Reports

Total Lubmarine China Coast Regatta 2008 - Day 3
Blowing a hooley, Day 3 rounded off a fantastic (not to say exhausting) racing program in Hong Kong waters. The hardened sailors, relished the conditions and Paul Winkelmann's TP52 Island Fling added two more wins to their tally to go on and claim the Racing Class title. The Burns / Kinmonth owned Farr-Mills 51 Fortis Mandrake slotted into 2nd place and Neil Pryde's Welbourne 52 Hi Fi held on for 3rd place. Sam Chan's FfreeFire 52 had two of her best races of the series and ended up in 4th place. A fine three day's racing, which featured plenty of wind, plenty of fun and plenty of rum. What more could a yachtie want? Goto RHKYC Race Reports

Gulf of Aden Pirate Corridor - Waypoints for Sailors
February is the month when most cruising sailors set out to transit the Red Sea. At this time of year the winds in the south Red Sea are favourable, and a boat will reach the Mediterranean just in time for the European Spring. However, the challenge this year will not be just the Red Sea, but the pirate infested Gulf of Aden. For this, a security corridor has been established, and boats are advised to travel in convoys. Go to full details

Photo Galleries - 2007/08 AY Grand Prix Championships, Koh Samui Regatta & Phuket Raceweek
Refresh the memory by viewing the best photos taken during the eight regatta's that made up the 2007- 08 AsianYachting Grand Prix Championships. If you want to relive all the action at the Koh Samui Regatta or this seasons wet and wild Six Senses Phuket Raceweek the complete AY Photo Library with all the archived Regatta Galleries and slideshows going back to 2004 can be found at: http://asianyachting.com/photos/default.htm

Relive the Beijing Olympics

Photo Gallery: Medal Presentations here
Olympic Photo Gallery Days 1 - 3 here...
Olympic Photo Gallery Days 4 - 9 here...

Advertising in AY Race Reports
This Season we are going to focus more on the nine events that make up the 2008-09 AsianYachting Grand Prix Championships, from which the winning Skipper and Racing Yacht are derived each year. Along with improving the events profile, the race coverage will have specially designed templates and advertising spots on the webpage and daily emailed Race Reports. Following on from the success of the AY Olympic Reports some advertisers have signed up for a series of regatta's and we hope to nail an overall sponsor that would like to splash their branding on this series of Asian events. The AYGP has rapidly gained recognition and momentum recently, as it is considered the best way to gauge the most successful racing campaign run through Asian waters each year. Keeping in tradition with other Grande Prix sporting events, we are looking into awarding champagne prizes at the end of each of the nine events as well as the final in Koh Samui. More on AYGP advertising goto: http://asianyachting.com/Mall/Advertising.htm

The Impiana Adventure #2 - The Indian Ocean..
Four years ago, Andrew Findlay harbored a strong desire to do some serious ocean sailing and is now taking his Malaysian registered Beneteau 45f5 "Impiana" across the Indian Ocean to South Africa, with the view of entering the Cape to Bahia yacht race (previously known as the Cape to Rio) which historically kicks off in early January 2009. "G' day Marty, Despite all the Cruising Guides advising against taking a sailing boat around the top of Sumatra and traversing east to west across the northern parts of the Indian ocean this time of the year we are now 870NM East of Seychelles and the sordid details can be found Here... Cheers, Andy"

Six Senses Phuket Raceweek - Grand final day brings a magnificent end to windy regatta...
Although the SW Monsoon has moderated, there was still enough strength to send the boats on a coastal course around Ao Chalong and the decision was made to have an extra windward/leeward for IRC 1 & 2, Firefly One Design and Racing Multi's. Although the overall results in some classes where already known the crews still wanted to enjoy the fresh conditions in a competitive environment as they are not always available at other regional regatta's. For the first time Ben Copely's Swan 42 Katsu got the jump at the start and led Peter Ahern's Farr 40 Yo!2 down into Ao Chalong bay. As the Yo!2 crew recovered from the exuberant celebrations last night at the Ratri Jazztaurant and not wanting to spoil the clean score sheet, they fought their way back and reclaimed the familiar position at the head of the fleet. AY Race Reports Here...

Inaugural KFC Putrajaya Regatta 2008
One hundred and fifty sailors graced Putrajaya Lake in front of the new Malaysian administrative capital for the very first time. The Malaysian Yachting Association (MYA) have graded the event as part of there KFC National Ranking Circuit which ensures competitive and quality racing for all classes and participants. As the wind was up the race committee where keen to get racing underway, they fired off the two remaining dinghy races in quick succession. The Radio Controlled fleet also made the most of the fresh conditions and a full day of racing was completed. The dark rain clouds looked threatening all day and finally hit the race course just as the inaugural VIP and Sponsors keelboat race got underway. This did not deter them and a lap of the lake was completed in blustery wet conditions. AY Race Reports Here.. Goto Photo Gallery

PD World Marina Resort - Tender lodged
As a result of informing our subscribers that the PD World Marina Resort waterfront property and marina was up for tender, a syndicate of sailors, businessmen and land developers was formed and with less than a weeks notice, a tender was lodged for all the vacant land and water lots by the close of tenders on Friday 27th June. Amongst other things it is expected to turn part of the site into a decent pleasure yacht marine facility with 5 acres of hardstand area, workshops, paint booth, travel lift, chandlery shops, clubhouse and full marina berthing facilities. Over the next two weeks the successful tenders will be announced and we will attempt keep you updated on the progress at: http://asianyachting.com/Mall/PDworldMarina.htm

Ray Roberts Quantum Racing crowned Skipper & Yacht of the Year
As well as winning the Koh Samui Regatta, Ray Roberts and Quantum Racing has won three major Asian regattas and scored second place at two other events to become the 2007-08 AY Grand Prix Champion. Believe me this no easy task, after competing on six regattas out of eight selected events that comprise the annual championships and finishing either first or second on the podium makes them worthy champions. So as well as hoisting the beautiful Waterford Crystal KSR perpetual bowl, Ray Roberts and his merry crew doned the Armani Blue Blazer and drank from the Perpetual AY Cup traditionally filled with chilled champagne at the magnificent prize giving party on the lawns of the Centara Grand Beach Resort on Chewang Beach. Browse the final AYGP Championship scores throughout the year here...

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