15th Top of the Gulf Regatta to Take Place in Pattaya, Thailand 30 April - 5 May 2019

Organisers of this year's Top of the Gulf Regatta in Pattaya, Thailand have said that there'll be more than 700 competitors representing 30 countries from around the world taking part.

More than 200 boats are expected to compete in up to 16 classes, ranging from Optimists (racing in the Thailand Optimist Open Championship) to dinghies, one-design Platus, keelboats and multihulls, as well as RS:One windsurfs and an IOM Radio Controlled class.

Organised and hosted by Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Pattaya, the regatta is an important sports tourism event on Thailand's East Coast contributing more than an estimated 20 million Baht to the local economy, and providing international competition for Thai sailors of all abilities and ages.

“The Gulf of Thailand is an excellent place for sailing – we have good winds all year round and the warm weather makes it popular with sailors from all over the world,” said William Gasson, Co-Chairman of the Top of the Gulf Regatta Organising Committee. “Top of the Gulf Regatta operates to international standards providing Thai sailors with an opportunity to race in an international event against international competition. We expect Thai national team sailors in the Optimist and dinghy classes, as well as the RS:One windsurfs, and they will likely be competing against national team sailors from neighbouring countries.”

New to the regatta this year is a Para Sailing class – four days of racing will follow a three-day pre-regatta clinic lead by a training officer from World Sailing. Ocean Marina Yacht Club have supported Disabled Sailing Thailand's initiative to make sailing more accessible since its beginning, and have provided a home for the development of the S\V14 two-person dinghy – a boat designed specifically for Para Sailors. At the beginning of this year they went one step further and bought eight S\V14s and are providing them free of charge for use by Para Sailors at the regatta. This will be the first fleet of its kind in the world and interest is high with Para Sailors from France, Australia, South Africa, Japan, Indonesia, Estonia, Philippines and Thailand expressing their intent to compete.

“We have long supported grassroots sailing in Thailand, providing an opportunity for youngsters to develop their sailing skills and grow into capable sailors and in some cases, World Champions,” said Kirati Assakul, Director of Ocean Property Co., Ltd and Co-Chairman of the Top of the Gulf Regatta Organising Committee. “With our investment in eight S\V14s we wish to make sailing even more accessible. Our initial aim is to offer people with disabilities a chance to get out on the water safely. We are currently working with the Thai Paralympic Committee to introduce more people to the sport and long-term we wish to support the establishment of a Thai national Para Sailing team and see Thai Para Sailors competing on the world stage.”

Following its expansion last year, the Ocean Marina Yacht Club is the largest marina in South East Asia and has expansive in-water and onshore facilities are ready to host this award-winning event.

Scott Finsten, Harbour Master of Ocean Marina Yacht Club, said, “Ocean Marina Yacht Club have been host of the regatta since day one. Our team have 15 years of experience organising this event and many years of experience organising other large scale events at the marina. We are ready to deliver a competitive and fun event to the highest standards, and everyone at Ocean Marina Yacht Club are looking forward to a successful 15th year.”

The 15th Top of the Gulf Regatta will take place at Ocean Marina Yacht Club from 30th April to 5th May 2019.

Team Hollywood TP52 (IRC1) - Interview with Ray Roberts, Owner / Captain

PODCAST

As there are so many pictures from the Top of the Gulf Regatta 2019 they have been uploaded to different pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6, Page 7, Page 8, Page 9 and Page 10. See also: Ray Roberts to Open Sailing Schools in Thailand - Exclusive Video Interview, Team Hollywood Unbeatable! Results from Top of the Gulf Regatta 2019, Day 4: Racing at Top of the Gulf Regatta 2019 in Pattaya, Thailand, Day 3: Racing at Top of the Gulf Regatta 2019 in Pattaya, Thailand, Day 2: Racing at Top of the Gulf Regatta 2019 in Pattaya, Thailand, Australians Dominate First Day of Top of the Gulf Regatta 2019 in Thailand, Para Sailing and the S\V14 -  Interview with Yacht Designer, Maarten Voogd, 15th Top of the Gulf Regatta to Take Place in Pattaya, Thailand 30 April - 5 May 2019, Disabled Sailing Thailand - Interview with Peter Jacops and Pictures from Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek 2019.

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