2009/2010 AsianYachting Grand Prix Championship
January 2010 - Update

We like to keep our readers up to speed, by producing monthly AYGP Newsletters and AYGP Updates before and after each of the ten selected regatta/races that score points towards becoming the AY Skipper and Yacht of the Season.

2009-10 AYGP Championships - Royal Langkawi Int Regatta
As most people in the northern hemisphere are shivering in freezing cold weather conditions, we are walking around the marina in T-shirt, shorts and thongs getting ready for next weeks Royal Langkawi International Regatta in Malaysia. This is the fifth event on the 2009-10 AYGP Championship, where Mohd Razali Mansor's Royal Malaysian Navy Farr 520 Zuhal will be taking on three stalwarts of the Asian racing class, that have dominated proceedings for the last decade or two. Neil Pryde, Ray Roberts and Frank Pong have each won the annual AY Skipper and Yacht of the Year awards at least once, worn the Blue Blazer plus drank from the Perpetual AY Cup traditionally filled with chilled champagne at the season ending celebrations on the magnificent lawns of the Centara Grand in Koh Samui. Razali's crew may have a mountain to climb to overcome these professional racing teams but the experience gained will surely help their competitive spirit and improve crew drills for the often new trainee's onboard.

Presently in the AYGP Championship points table, Neil Pryde is only one point behind Ray Roberts in the Skipper of the Year and his custom Welbourne 52 Hi Fi holds a two point lead over Roberts TP52 Evolution Racing in the Yacht of the Year. Frank Pong's 75ft R/P Jelik II scored 2nd place at the recent Phuket King's Cup and although entering this seasons pointscore a bit late, is capable of mounting a late charge as racing swings over to the South China Sea events next month. As we are now approaching the half way point of the season, there is still plenty racing to come and points for the taking. Judging by the way things have panned out after four AYGP events, the eventual winner is already on the scoreboard, but which one will it be? Follow your favourite boats progress throughout the season at: http://asianyachting.com/news/AYGP09-10.htm

Christmas Image Giveaway extended into New Year
The long awaited 20th Raja Muda Selangor Int Regatta, Phuket King's Cup Regatta and Extreme Sailing Series Asia - Singapore photo albums have been posted online. Click on the above links to go directly to the albums, then click on individual images to enlarge and browse slide show. 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 images that we have on file. So what are you waiting for? Start clicking the mouse and sending your photo requests to: info@asianyachting.com

Next up... Singapore Straits Regatta (Jan 25 - 30)
Held in a late January time slot as the NE Monsoon winds are expected to have set in and produce excellent sailing conditions. The regatta is a SingaporeSailing event and this year Nongsa Point Marina Resort plays host by introducing a bold new racing format and the entire event will be held in Batam, Indonesia. Foreign yachts are required to complete documentation for ‘Green Book’ and Sailing Permit to sail in Indonesian (Riau) waters by latest 11th Jan. All yachts with complete outbound immigration and port clearance documentation can leave for Nongsa Point from any location in their own time. Also individual US$10 Visa Fees for up to 7 days stay are payable on arrival in Batam. Four days of racing is scheduled from Wed 27th to Sat 30th Jan and three nights of entertainment at Nongsa Point will cap of a unique visit to Batam, which some sailors describe as the 'Center of the Universe'. This event also marks the conclusion of the three nations S.E.A. Perpetual Cup Series where the winner is awarded the Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy. More info, NOR and crewing positions can be found at http://www.straitsregatta.com Email: secretariat@straitsregatta.com or Changi Sailing Club at: enquiry@csc.org.sg Tel +65 6545 2876 Fax +65 6542 4235

Advertising on the AY Website
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