Asian Yachting Grand Prix Circuit Update
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Image courtesy John Smart
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By Captain Pugwash
Following the Top of the Gulf Regatta, in Pattaya, Thailand, in April, a meeting was held that brought together the organizers of most of the Asian Yachting Grand Prix Circuit regattas. The regatta organizers were joined by members of the yachting press, race officers, media practitioners and other interested parties. The Philippines was represented by (international racing champion) Jun Avecilla and (international race officer) Jerry Rollin.
As outlined by the meeting convener, Mr Bill Gasson, the purpose of the forum was to discuss the Asian Yachting Grand Prix Circuit and ways to increase the number of boats that can be included in the AYGP Championship. Currently 13 boats are eligible but only two compete for the championship.
Capt. Martins Rijkuris of Asian Yachting outlined the history of the Asian Yachting Grand Prix Championship. The Championships started with nine events in 2001 when he decided to form the circuit, applying points for skippers and boats in each regatta. In 2009, as there were only two boats competing, it was decided change the format to the best-of-seven results, and this year it was reduced to the best-of-six – the Vietnam Race was cancelled due to bad weather.
The problem is that most boats do not travel the complete Circuit from Hong Kong in the northeast, Singapore in the South to Phuket in the West. So it was proposed that there be an Eastern Circuit and a Western Circuit, with the Top of the Gulf and Samui Regattas where all boats come together.
Since the beginning, the Philippine President’s Cup Regattas has been included in the Asian Yachting Grand Prix Circuit. However, as this regatta was not held in 2010 the organizers of the Asian Yachting Grand Prix Circuit chose to include the Commodore’s Cup in its stead; the Commodore’s Cup is held every year in Subic Bay. Also, due to the popularity, amongst sailors from all over the world, of Boracay as a prime racing destination, with effect from 2011 the Subic to Boracay Race and the Boracay Cup will now also be included in the Asian Yachting Grand Prix Circuit.
It was agreed to look at how to extract points from each sailing event towards the Championship so that the overall results become more inclusive. Two experienced international race officers, Mr. Jerry Rollin and Mr. Simon James, were tasked to define a system to extract points from each regatta and then as an example extract the results from the 2010-2011 season for approval.
All should be finalized and published at the end of the Koh Samui Regatta (which is currently taking place). Koh Samui is the last of this Region’s seasonal events so the new arrangements will start thereafter.
The first event in the Asian Yachting Grand Prix Circuit 2011-12 will be the China Coast Regatta in Hong Kong, in October. Standby for the full programme of events as soon as it is confirmed.
Footnote: The case continues were the Manila Yacht Club (“MYC”) is suing Subic Bay Yacht Club, the Lighthouse Marina, the Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen Sailors, Jun Avecilia, Jerry Rollin and Jeremy Simpson. The MYC’s application to change the suit from a Temporary Restraining Order (“TRO”), to prevent the 2010 Commodore’s Cup taking place, to a suit for damages has recently been approved by the Manila Regional Trial Court.