2013-14 Asian Yachting Grand Prix

AYGP Skipper & Yacht of the Year Awards

Foxy Lady 6 win by 2 seconds, you couldn't write a better script...
By AY MultiMedia
May 31st, Koh Samui, Thailand: Wow! What a fantastic ending to the Samui Regatta and the 2013-14 AsianYachting Grand Prix (AYGP). It's amazing how it all comes down to the last race at the last regatta. All the crews were out early and full of anticipation for the final showdown. While IRC 0 was still open for the taking, Bill Bremner's Mills King 40 Foxy Lady 6 wrapped up IRC 1 yesterday, with 7 wins in a row and gunning for their 8th win to claim the 2013-14 AYGP Skipper and Yacht of the Year title from Anthony Root's Archambault 35 Red Kite II, that has held the box seat for most of the season. PRO Ross Chisholm decided on trapezoid shape courses, to even out the difference between flying symmetric and asymmetric spinnakers.

Yesterday Bill Bremner's Mills King 40 Foxy Lady 6 miraculously made it seven wins in a row and sealed the IRC 1 title with one day to spare. Today its all about the remaining podium places and whether the all conquering crew on Foxy Lady 6 can win one more race and fore fill their seasons ambitions by claiming the 2013-14 AYGP Skipper and Yacht of the Year awards.

As the yachts circulated, Foxy Lady 6 was on the pace but hard for the spectators to judge if they have enough in reserve to win the race. Finally the radio announced that they have won the race by a mere 2 seconds from Roland Dane's Corby 36 Jessandra II and Anthony Root's Archambault 35 Red Kite II pulling up in third.

Last year Bill Bremner's Mills King 40 Foxy Lady 6 started their "Assault of the Gulf" and won both the Top of the Gulf and Samui Regattas. They continued the winning streak into the 2013-14 Season by convincingly winning the Raja Muda, King's Cup, Royal Langkawi and returned for the second assault at the Top of the Gulf and now the Samui Regatta. Like a Canadian cowboy would say "Not only did they grab the bull by the horns but got amongst it and kicked ass".

This seven regatta winning streak has been masterminded by Bill and Janis Bremner and superbly conducted by a mixed crew of Canadian, Singaporean, Philippine and Aussie sailing legends - Cap'n Bill on the helm, Steve McConaghy calling the shots, sail trimmers Janis Bremner, Andrew Chan, Stuy Lee and Scott Minton, Chas Mitchell on the bow, Benny Mawson in the pit, Dale Johnston on the mast and navigator Ko Chuan Yang. They will be celebrating long into the night.

2013-14 AYGP - 260 Yachts,12 Regattas across 6 Countries...
By AY MultiMedia
The main aim of the AYGP pointscore system, is to fairly grade Boat Owners and Skippers ability, in running racing campaigns through Asian waters during the 2013-14 Season. Ultimately the winning Skipper and Yacht will be crowned the 2013-14 Champion. Current standings for the AYGP Skipper and Yacht of the Year pointscore can be browsed by Skipper - Yacht and Regatta.

All skippers and yachts competing at any of the 12 selected five star AYGP point scoring events, have a chance of winning the prestigious AYGP Skipper and Yacht of the Year awards.and donning the Trend Fashions navy blue blazer at the gala Samui Regatta season ending prize presentation party.

Serious contenders for the title are already making plans for the year ahead. Ask any skipper and they will tell you "Winning the AYGP is the hardest task any racing crews can go though in Asian waters". They have to be in top form and compete with distinction in at least 6 regattas during the season, before Skipper and crew can anticipate celebrating the proudest moment of their racing careers and add it to their sailing CV's.

Regatta / Race Line-up for the season
Twelve (12) regatta/races make up the 5 star family of events that form the AYGP. By popular demand this season, the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club's biennial Vietnam Race and the Rolex China Sea Race return to the race lineup. The Neptune Regatta makes its debut and we welcome Indonesia with a stand alone regatta, into the five star family of events.

That makes it 5 on the East Asian Circuit (Hong Kong China, Vietnam, Philippines) and 5 in South East Asian waters (Malaysia, Phuket SW Thailand, Indonesia) finishing up with the centrally located Top of the Gulf and Samui Regatta in the Gulf of Thailand. Boat owners are not restricted to regional events and are free to compete on both circuits and in as many events they choose to contest. As the championship is open to multiple classes, the degree of difficulty has just increased to a new and extremely challenging level.

Western Circuit
Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek (July 17 - 21)
Raja Muda Selangor Int. Regatta (Nov 15 - 23)
Phuket King's Cup (Nov 30 - Dec 7th)
Royal Langkawi Int Regatta (Jan 13 - 18)
Neptune Regatta (Feb 2nd - 8th)

Eastern Circuit
China Coast Regatta (October 12 - 14)
Hong Kong to Vietnam Race (Starts Oct 17th)
Subic Boracay Race & Boracay Cup (March 1 -7)
Rolex China Sea Race (Starts April 16th)
Commodore's Cup (April 22 - 26)

Common final events
Top of the Gulf Regatta (May 1 - 5)
Samui Regatta (May 24 - 31)

Pointscoring System - “Six best regattas to count”
Applies to both Multiple Race Regattas and Single Race events.
All competitors receive 5 points for entering an event.
Points are awarded to the first five boats in each class and based on number of entries.
Bonus points are awarded for each race win and also based on the number of class entries.
One penalty point is deducted for disqualification (DSQ).

We will continue on with our "Work in Progress" policy that has served us well for the last 11 seasons. Further tweaking is expected to take place as the season unfolds and "Awarding more points to the Overall IRC winner in Single Race events, like the Rolex China Sea Race" is under consideration.

Over the years, Peter Ahern has won (2), Neil Pryde (4), Frank Pong (2) and Ray Roberts (3) have won the title and know what it takes to succeed.

See how the annual AYGP panned out over the years click on: 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 2013-14 Take a look at the AY Photo Gallery of Past Winners.

Goto the 2012-13 AYGP Roundup Gallery. and relive the Photo Highlights at 12 regattas, plus see how much fun these sailors have enjoyed throughout the year. Also check out individual regatta Photo Galleries which can be accessed from the comprehensive AY Photo Library.

Watch 2013-14 AYGP promo video by Media Partners MarineScene.Asia

Search the 2012-13 AYGP Pointscore by Skipper - Yacht and Regatta Results
Goto 2013-14 AYGP News: October - November - Post Raja Muda News - December - January - February - March - April - May - June

All the 2013-14 AY News, Views and Race Reports can be accessed Here...

AYGP Commercial Sponsorship Opportunity
Company's looking at increasing their presence in Asia, will be pleased to know that an interesting and unique opportunity exists, to gain direct exposure to the affluent and upwardly mobile sector of the Asian community. The Title and Trophy Sponsor, Media Partners, Advertising and Official Suppliers for the AsianYachting Grand Prix (AYGP) and the annual AYGP Skipper and Yacht of the Year awards are now available. Here...

The Sponsorship Experts, Paul Poole (South East Asia) Co., Ltd are promoting the AYGP to prospective sponsors and offering partnership opportunities on their website.

Check out the AYGP Sponsorship Entitlements and Rights on offer Here...