Round-up after reaching half way stage of the season
By AY MultiMedia

First of all we wish our Chinese friends Gong Xi Fa Cai for their New Year.

As we are half way through the 2011-12 Season an interesting scenario is developing in the AYGP Championship. Although Neil Pryde heads the Skipper of the Year standings with 75 points he has competed in all six regatta's so far, which is the total number of regatta's that count towards the overall score. All he can do now is improve on the individual regatta points which will be only a small increment from now on in. Trailing by 26 points are co-skippers Fred Kinmonth/Nick Burns (49 points) after competing on four regatta's are still in with a chance as they are likely to compete on several more regatta's before the season finishes in June. Presently 186 skippers have scored points and in the running for the end of season trophy. Next in line and well within striking distance is Andrew Stransky (36 points / 3 regattas) and Alan Carwardine (34/2) from the Multihull Class, Stuart Williamson (33/4), Rick Pointon (32/3), Ben Copley (31/4), Sam Chan (27/3), David Ross (26/3) and Frank Pong (25/3) from the mixed IRC 1 & 2 Classes.

Next up is the Singapore Straits Regatta (Jan 26-31) which brings an end the Western Circuit and the last chance for South East Asian owners to improve their position at home before the season ending events Top of the Gulf (May 4-8) and Koh Samui Regatta (May 29 - June 3) in the Gulf of Thailand.

As some skippers have chartered or changed boats through the season, a slightly different scenario is playing out in the Yacht of the Year award. Neil Pryde's Hi Fi has 58 points with Hannes Waimer's Team Premier/Hooligan close behind on 51 points. After winning three regatta's Alan Carwardine's Stealth 12.6 Sidewinder is tied on 49 points with Fred Kinmonth/Nick Burns EFG Bank Mandrake that have three more regatta's to notch up a winning score. Depending on how many races are held at each regatta, if a yacht wins all the races they can score a maximum of 20 points, so being 30 or 40 points behind a yacht that has completed six events, they still have a chance as the season progresses.

After the Singapore Straits Regatta (Jan 26-31) racing swings over to the Philippines and Hong Kong. First up is the combined Subic to Boracay Race (Feb 24-26) and Boracay Cup (Feb 28 - March 3rd) followed by RHKYC - 50th Rolex China Sea Race (April 4th Start) and the Commodore's Cup (April 10-14) at Subic Bay in the Philippines. There is still a lot of water to flow under the keels yet and an excellent opportunity for HK and Philippine Skipper and Yachts to get on the score sheets. It must be remembered that the newly expanded AYGP pointscore is an ongoing experimental procedure and we welcome any constructive suggestions to improve it and take into consideration for next season.

The action packed Royal Langkawi Int. Regatta - AY Photo Gallery is posted online and following the Christmas/New Year Image Giveaway success we have extended it into the Chinese New Year. Its easy, check out the extensive AY Photo Library and if you find a photo you like, email info@asianyachting.com the details under the image and which gallery it came from. Remember to click on image to enlarge and click on arrow button (above) to activate slide show. We will then send you "Absolutely free" the highest quality resolution images that we have on file. It's that easy! So what are you waiting for? Start clicking the mouse, we are ready and waiting to send your New Year presents.

Search the 2011-12 AYGP Skipper and Yacht of the Year Pointscore by Overall Skippers - Yachts - Regatta Results

Looking for exposure - Sponsor the AYGP
Company's looking to further increase their exposure in Asia, will be pleased to know that the unique Title Sponsor for the AsianYachting Grand Prix Championship (AYGP) and Trophy Sponsor for the Skipper and Yacht of the Year awards are now available. As the competition is mostly conducted online, the Title & Trophy Sponsors entitlements and rights are posted at: http://asianyachting.com/AYGP/SponsorOpportunity.htm

Full details on how the AYGP works can be found on the microsite at: http://asianyachting.com/AYGP/2011-12.htm

All the 2011-12 AY News, Views and Race Reports can be accessed Here...

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This AYGP January 2012 Newsletter is proudly bought to you by the following supporters