2009/2010 AsianYachting Grand Prix Championship
July 2009 - Newsletter

AYGP gathering momentum
July 20: Welcome to the monthly AYGP Newsletter, where we will update you throughout the season with all the news, expert analysis, regatta results, progressive pointscore and off course post the popular photo galleries, taken at the ten regatta/races chosen this season that score points towards becoming the AY Skipper and Yacht of the Season.

We kick of early this year with the Six Senses Phuket Raceweek from 22-26 July, as organisers Image Asia agreed to join in and expect to see some increased AYGP action at the event. 2008/09 Champion Neil Pryde has deferred some modifications to his prized Welbourne 52 Hi Fi, till latter in the year, just to attend Phuket Raceweek for the first time. Similarly the 2007/08 Champion Ray Roberts has forgone defending the Sydney Gold Coast Race title, in favour of attending Raceweek and not letting Neil Pryde get the early jump as he did last season. Ray will be helming the re branded DK46 Evolution Sails (formerly Quantum Racing) which already has an outstanding racing record both in Australian and Asian waters. However they won't have it all there own way as regulars in the racing class include Peter Ahern's defending champion Farr 40 YO!2, and two time winner Scott Duncanson's super fast Phuket 8 Quantum Fusion M will be there to spoil the party. Ben Copely's Swan CS 42 Katsu has racked up a number of second places recently and is long overdue for a win. If Stuart Williamson's Beneteau 34.7 Skandia Endeavour of Whitby can repeat the performance they found in Langkawi earlier this year they could also be a thorn in the side of the favourite's.

If the wind is as strong at it was last year, the boat and crew that can handle the lumpy upwind conditions the best and thrive in downwind surfing conditions, found to seaward of the off lying islands (See SSPR 2008 Photo Gallery) are likely to end up on top of the podium. If it is light and fluky with scattered showers it is anyone's game for the taking. Course selection and weather conditions will play a big part and if PRO Simon James is in top form, we are sure to witness some extremely close and exciting battles over the four days of racing.

Over 300 sailors will be invading Six Senses Evason Phuket lower seaview terrace ‘Into the Beach’ which is the perfect setting for the regatta HQ, post-race bar and five nights of grand waterside entertainment. If you really want to enjoy a tropical regatta in warm Asian waters and pamper yourself with some sophistication and elegance onshore, then stay at the Evason during the event and embrace the Six Senses theme - Redefining Experiences. The combination of the two has not only produced Asia's most exciting and fastest-growing regatta but bought with it a new level of culinary delights and top class service to the party.

More SSPR 09 details at: http://www.phuketraceweek.com

Check out the 2009/10 AYGP pointscore as the championship unfolds at: http://asianyachting.com/news/AYGP09-10.htm

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