Top Of The Gulf International Regatta 2006

[Jai Dee]

TOP OF THE GULF INTERNATIONAL REGATTA 2006

In conjunction with the Platu Coronation Cup and the Thailand Optimist National Championship

May 3 – 7, 2006

At the Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Jomtien Beach, Pattaya

The Top of The Gulf International Regatta is a series of races sailed off the Jomtien Beach on the Pattaya coast in the upper section of the Gulf of Thailand.

Jointly organised by Ocean Marina Yacht Club in conjunction with the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand (YRAT), Sattahip Naval Base and the Royal Varuna Club to mark the auspicious occasion of the Sixtieth Anniversary (Diamond Jubilee) Celebrations of His Majesty the King of Thailand’s Accession to the Throne, the Top of The Gulf International Regatta 2006 has been timed to co-incide with the prestigious royally-sponsored Platu Coronation Cup and the Thailand Optimist National Championship, making this one of the biggest sailing events being held in the Gulf of Thailand. The Thailand Optimist National Championship is a special category of races for promising young skippers age 8 to 12, designed to promote young talent.

The 2006 Top of The Gulf International Regatta will feature nine racing classes ranging from dinghys to Keelboats.

Class One: Keelboats

Class Two: Cruising Keelboat

Class Three: Sports boat

Class Four: Platus

Class Five: Ocean Multihulls

Class Six: Beach Catamaran

Class Seven: Dinghies

Class Eight: Optimists

Class Nine: Formula Windsurfers

The international regatta brings together some 400-500 Thai and foreign skippers and 250 boats representing teams from countries in the Asia Pacific region such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Philippines, Malaysia, Australia and host country, Thailand. Participating teams are vying for the four trophies that will be presented at the end of the event.

It is expected that the races will be sailed in sunny tropical weather conditions with flat seas and good winds. A thrilling kite surf demonstration adds another colourful dimension to the races. Social activities each evening will no doubt add a festive spirit to the series.

Designed to increase the popularity of sailing as a sport, the Top of The Gulf International Regatta series is being promoted as “one of the biggest international sailing events in the upper part of the Gulf of Thailand”. Event organizers are aiming to make the Top of The Gulf International Regatta series of races one of the events on the annual international sailing event calendar.

The introduction of the annual regatta is seen to be an important vehicle in the development of Thai expertise in sailing skills over the long-term and provides the much-needed impetus to cultivate a new generation of young skippers, leading to increased Thai participation in the sailing category in international competitions in the future. An increase in the frequency of scheduled regattas is also helping to promote the growth of marine leisure-related businesses in the Gulf of Thailand, covering sectors such as yachting, boat-building, hotel, real estate and marine tourism.

The 2006 Top of the Gulf International Regatta is being hosted by Ocean Marina Yacht Club & Ocean Portofino Condominium, mainly sponsored by Raimon Land and co-sponsored by Gulf Charters, Thai Airways International, Heineken, Coca-Cola, QBE Insurance, Hyro Consulting Thailand, Art Asia and the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

More information here and here.

Source: Tourist Authority of Thailand News Room