Raimon Land Boosts Pattaya Tourism by supporting TOTGR
09
By
Peter Cummins
Pattaya Luxury property developer Raimon Land has signed on to continue as a key supporter of Pattaya's annual Top of the Gulf International Regatta 2009, aimed at boosting the destination's tourism prospects and fulfilling the company's long-term corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme. This year's event will take place from April 30 to May 4 at the Ocean Marina Yacht Club located south of Jomtien Beach, and will again feature the HM The King's Platu Coronation Cup and the Optimist Thailand Nationals for single hull dinghies.
Pattaya
City Mayor Ittipol Khunpleum said 'That it is important for the government,
community and private sector to join hands in supporting important international
events such as this regatta to show the world that Pattaya is operating
as normal. Pattaya is one of Asia's finest beach resorts, and sporting
events like the Top of the Gulf International Regatta enable us to make
use of our valuable natural surroundings and showcase the great outdoors
lifestyle on offer here. We appreciate Raimon Land's continued support
of this event'.
Raimon Land Director of Marketing, Henri Young, said: 'We remain committed to supporting high-end lifestyle events in Pattaya - of which this is an excellent example - and to help boost tourism during the ongoing political crisis and stagnating world economy.
Raimon Land will return to the 2009 Platu Coronation Cup on the sails of The Lofts Southshore skippered by last year's winner, Scott Duncanson, who will face an expected fleet of 17 platus from six countries. Kevin Scott, the leading force among the big Platu fleet and activities at Ocean Marina, predicts a huge fleet in contention for the Coronation Cup.
The Optimist Thailand Nationals anticipates an entry list of more than
130 dinghies, and among the more than 25 top racing keelboats competing
in the international IRC race are Neil Pryde in Hi Fi, Peter Churchouse
onboard Moonblue 2, and Olivier Pou skippering Le Berrige III.
Among
Raimon Land’s Pattaya developments is Northpoint, the winner of
the Thailand Property Awards 2008 Best Condo Development (Eastern Seaboard).
The project’s 54- and 46-storey towers on North Pattaya’s
Wongamat Beach were topped off in December 2008 and construction continues
on schedule.
The regatta is timed to celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty the King of Thailand who is a regional Gold Medallist helmsman. The one design Platu fleet race for the Coronation Cup, and this year will see 2008 Champion Scott Duncanson sail against many of the region's top crews. The TOGR is the largest regatta in Thailand, and the Eastern Seaboard's major annual regatta. Principal sponsors, supporting Raimon Land, are host Club the Ocean Marina Yacht Club, the Bank of Ayudhya and PTT Exploration. This year's regatta is also supported by Thai Airways, Gulf Charters, Seat Boats, Grampian Foods, Singha Beer, QBE Insurance, Nivea, Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, Buzzcats Thailand and Corsair Yachts. Media partners are Asia Boating, The Nation, SEA Yachting and AsianYachting with valuable support from the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, Pattaya City, The Royal Thai Navy and Royal Varuna Yacht Club.
'We've
already had confirmations from Hong Kong's Frank Pong and Neil Pryde,
two of the regions's (worlds) top skippers.and many-time Asian Grand Prix
champion Neil Pryde', said event organiser Bill Gasson.
Another fact of TOGR is that there will be a full range of boats
on the water including the region's top Optimist racers, competing in
fleets of over 100 boats. 'Teen-age 'Terror' 2008 champion Noppakao
Poonpat won both the overall, Thai and the female class, so there will
be a major fight back by the boys to defend their honour in 2009.
Catamarans
and a wide range of dinghies account for many of the 300+ boats on the
water over the four day event, which also includes His Majesty the King's
own design the Super Moth, which is a stepping stone class for many sailors
prior to competing in the Olympics and regional classes.
The Asian Grand Prix Circuit comprises of a series of nine regattas, throughout Asia, held during the year, for the region's fastest boats. It's the sailing equivalent of the land-based Formula One circuit, with the TOGR incorporated with the Samui Regatta as one of the two final championship events.
As
well as the new Race division for the Grand Prix, the TOGR includes
many competitive divisions for all sizes and types of boats including
cruisers. IRC 1 keelboats will see regional hot shot Australia's 'Ichiban',
winner of the Samui and Kings Cup Regattas last year, making the trip
up to Pattaya to take on local craft from Ocean Marina Yacht Club, 'Magic
Roundabout' and 'Breakaway', plus a fleet of recently-launched new boats.
The small performance sportboats will see the largest fleet to date, with
entries coming up from Phuket and Samui to take on the aptly named Pornstar,
back from a recent rebuild. Multihulls have seen a lot of growth from
the recently launched Corsairs, and organisers are hopeful that the fleet
will be even larger this year.
Viewing of the spectacular regatta is open, close-up and free from the facilities at Ocean Marina.
For more information, please visit http://www.topofthegulfregatta.com or contact Bill Gasson at + 66 (0) 81 811 8930 or e-mail: gasson@buzzcats.com
TOTGR 09 Photo Gallery: http://www.asianyachting.com/photos/photo.htm?TOTGR09
Race
Report 4 & Summary: http://asianyachting.com/news/TOTGR09/4.htm
Race Report 3: http://asianyachting.com/news/TOTGR09/3.htm
Race Report 2: http://asianyachting.com/news/TOTGR09/2.htm
Race Report 1: http://asianyachting.com/news/TOTGR09/1.htm
Pre-Race Report: http://asianyachting.com/news/TOTGR09/0.htm
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