2007 - 08 AsianYachting Grand Prix Skipper and Yacht Championships

Points are awarded based on the Yachts performance over eight selected 5-star AY Grand Prix racing class events (Malaysia 2, Hong Kong 2, Thailand 2 plus Singapore and the Philippines with 1 a piece) held each year (See below) that fairly grades the competing Skippers ability to successfully run a racing campaign in Asian waters over the 2007 - 08 Season.

At the final AY GP event in Koh Samui at the end of May the Champion Skipper dons the tailored Armani Koh Samui Blue Blazer and receives the Perpetual AY Cup traditionally filled with chilled champagne at a magnificent prize giving party on the lawns of the Centara Grand Beach Resort at Chewang Beach.

Goto the AY Photo Library for images of the 2003/04, 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 AY Grand Prix Champions presentation with selected shots taken during the season here...

Check out the Annual AYGP 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 and 2006-07 Champions

2007/08 AsianYachting Grand Prix Skipper and Yacht Rankings

Breaking News stories and Race Reports as the 2007/08 Season progresses

Latest News...

Ray Roberts and Quantum Racing crowned 2007-08 AY Champions...
As well as winning the Koh Samui Regatta, Ray Roberts and Quantum Racing have won three other major Asian regattas and scored second place at two other events to become the 2007-08 AY Grand Prix Champion. Believe me this no easy task, after competing on six regattas out of eight selected events that comprise the annual championships and finishing either first or second on the podium makes them worthy champions. So as well as hoisting the beautiful Waterford Crystal KSR perpetual bowl, Ray Roberts and his merry crew will don the Armani Blue Blazer and sipping from the Perpetual AY Cup traditionally filled with chilled champagne at the magnificent prize giving party on the lawns of the Centara Grand Beach Resort on Chewang Beach.

7th Koh Samui Regatta - All over bar the shouting...
Frank Pong's Jelik led the fleet around the course but with the 50 footers hot on his tail was bound to finish up done the order. So who was going to pick up the coveted title? Neil Pryde's Hi-Fi crossed the line one minute and twenty six seconds latter and looked to be in the box seat. Fifty five seconds latter Bill Bremner Foxy Lady IV breasted the line after recovering from being called OCS and as they trailed the overall leader by one point could be the biggest threat. Sam Chan's Ffreefire 52 was next, closely followed by the Nick Burns/Fred Kinmonth's co-owned Fortis Mandrake. Almost six minutes after Jelik crossed the line Ray Roberts Quantum Racing signed off for the last time. Simon James computer was running hot calculating the results. As there were no more races Ray Roberts top racing crew on Quantum Racing had done enough to capture first place in race six and thereby become the overall 2008 Racing Class winner. Second place for Neil Pryde's Hi-Fi lifted them to second overall. Fifth place today for Bill Bremner's Foxy Lady IV dropped them down to third overall.

Season ending Koh Samui Regatta brings out the best...
All the major racing class players in Asia are turning up in force at Koh Samui to make one last desperate bid to win an event before the 2007-08 season closes. After last years convincing win, Bill Bremner made the decision to get a bigger boat and returns with the fully syndicated TP52 Foxy Lady IV and expects to be hoisting high the beautiful Waterford Crystal KSR perpetual bowl for the second year in succession. Since going down to the wire in the last race of the 2006-07 season, Frank Pong and his 75ft R/P Jelik are the reigning AY Champions, will be going all out to add another prize to the ever expanding trophy cabinet. Even though Ray Roberts and Quantum Racing have already won the 2007-08 AY Skipper and Boat of the Year there is still the ‘KSR bragging rights’ to fight for. But the likes of Neil Pryde's Welbourne 52 Hi-Fi, Sam Chan's Ffreefire 52, the Kinmonth / Burns Mills 51 Mandrake and Chris Mead’s Corby 43 Full Metal Jacket will be pushing all the way to prevent Ray from lifting both trophies. Newcomers to the fold are Matt Allen’s Beneteau 44.7 Ichi Ban, fresh from her recent victory in Dubai at the Maktoum Cup and Ben Copley's Club Swan 42 Katsu that made their debut at the Langkawi Regatta earlier this year. AY Race Reports Here...

Ray Roberts Quantum Racing to be crowned Skipper & Yacht of the Year...
By winning both the Rolex China Sea Race and President's Cup Judes Echauz Sydney 46 Subic Centennial jumped up to third overall in the 2007- 08 AY Grand Prix Championships after contesting only two events during the season. Second place at the President's Cup for Ray Roberts on his DK46 Quantum Racing puts them five points in front of Frank Pong's R/P 76 Jelik. With only the Koh Samui Regatta left to run this season they have an unbeatable points lead and will be crowned the 2007-08 AY Skipper and Yacht of the Year at Koh Samui. This is no easy task as Ray and his very talented crew have scored three victories and two second places at eight of the selected top flight Asian events that make up the Championships. This is the first time they have won the coveted title in the five years it has been awarded, although they have come close on several occasions. Defending champion Frank Pong's R/P 76 Jelik started the season strong with two wins and a second place but failed to get on the scoreboard towards the end and has to settle on second spot this season. The annual AYGP Championships is the only system that fairly grades the competing Skippers ability to successfully run a racing campaign in Asian waters over the year.

President's Cup - Subic Centennial scores second Asian regatta victory in the same week
Coming into the final day Judes Echauz Sydney 46 Subic Centennial held a comfortable 6.5 point lead. When they corrected out with first place in race five the engraver got to work on the overall trophy. They are extremely happy as it is the second major Asian race/regatta victory for the Philippine boat in the same week. Ray Roberts crew on his DK46 Quantum Racing did their damndest to reduce the deficit with a second in race six and first place in the last race to end up with second place in the overall stakes. Once again only seconds separated the seven racing boats on corrected time to show just how hard it is to win a race, let alone the series in this class. Two third places for Chris Meads Corby 43 Full Metal Jacket lifts them to third overall after a very up and down regatta and no doubt has some further fine tuning to do. Frank Pong's Jelik was back on the pace but after the race four disappointment and with the drop race being introduced, missed out on a podium placing by half a point and finished up in fourth overall.

Rolex China Sea Race - Subic Centennial Overall IRC winner
The land-sea breeze off the Philippine coast saw fortunes won and lost for the potential handicap winners in this 565nm Asian classic. At the finish, local enthusiasm and passion for sailing is evident, so it seemed fitting that the overall handicap winner was a Philippine entry. Despite disappearing off the PurpleFinder yacht tracking radar on day one of the Rolex China Sea Race, Vince Fidel and Judes Echauz Sydney 46 Subic Centennial ghosted across the Subic Bay finish line, right on sunset three days latter. By completing the 565 nautical mile course, just under 7 hours after Neil Pryde's Welbourne 52 Hi Fi took Line Honours, Subic Centennial have done enough to convincingly take out the 2008 Handicap Honours. Paul Bankowski's crew made the most gains on the final day on the Kerr 11.3 Jaywalker to fill second place overall as well as claim the IRC Division B title. Chris Meads Corby 43 Full Metal Jacket excelled in the heavier conditions but after finding a private parking lot slowed there progress and relegated them to third overall by twelve minutes.

AYGP Championships - up and at it again...
After a lengthy break between regattas the 2007-08 AY Grand Prix Championships that determines the top racing class skipper and yacht each year in Asian waters, resumes this week, with the bi-annual Rolex China Sea Race and quickly followed by the President's Cup in the Philippines. Presently in the AYGP Championships Ray Roberts DK46 Quantum Racing (11 points) has a clear three point advantage over Frank Pong's 75ft R/P Jelik (8 points) who have been battling it out regatta for regatta during the 2007-08 Season. As they are not competing on the RCSR this leaves the way open for Neil Pryde's Hi Fi, Fred Kinmonth/Nick Burns Fortis Mandrake and Sam Chan's Ffreefire 52 the chance to improve there standings and stage a final push for the coveted title. However all this could change after the yachts arrive in the Philippines and get ready for the Presidents Cup in Subic Bay. Both Ray Roberts Quantum Racing and Frank Pong's Jelik are returning to the frey and expected to continue there head to head battle. Ray Ordoveza's Andrews/Excel 53 Karakoa is usually skippered by US racing legend Steve Benjamin and Ma.Fidel / Judes Echauz Sydney 46 Subic Centennial by Aussie Olympian Jamie Wilmot have won here before and may yet again throw a spanner into the works which is likely to affect the AYGP pointscore. Most the racing class from the RCSR have entered the President's Cup producing another impressive line up that will no doubt produce some exceptionally close racing. The skippers that can quickly adapt to the tricky Subic Bay conditions over the four-day, eight-race series that combines windward/leeward courses with passage races can expect to stand proud on the podium come presentation night.

14th Singapore Straits Regatta - Ray Roberts takes a Quantum leap forward...
After winning the Singapore Straits Regatta Ray Roberts and his DK46 Quantum Racing (11 points) take a clear three point lead over Frank Pong's 75ft R/P Jelik (8 points). They also took home the annual Sir Thomas Lipton Perpetual trophy which is awarded to the yacht which cumulatively places best at the Raja Muda, King's Cup and Singapore Straits regattas. Second place for Neil Pryde's newly converted Welbourne 52 Hi Fi Team Pryde sees them climb up to three points but with only three regatta's left to race this season will find it difficult to close in on the leaders. Third place for the Bremner/Cocks/Singh newcomer TP52 Foxy Lady IV is a welcome addition to the rankings and despite being out of reach of the leaders is expected to shine at the season ending Koh Samui Regatta (1st - 7th June). Apparently Ray Roberts may not be able to contest the China Sea Race and Frank Pong is expected to kick off a European racing campaign during Koh Samui. This leaves the way open for the likes of Sam Chan's TP52 Ffreefire 52 and the Fred Kinmonth/Nick Burns owned Farr/Mills 51 Mandrake to improve there standings and stage a final push for the coveted title.

Royal Langkawi Int Regatta - Ray Roberts Quantum Racing makes it 3 in a row...
Frank Pong's 75ft R/P Jelik and Ray Roberts DK46 Quantum Racing have been slogging it out regatta by regatta for the top spot in the AYGP Championships. After the King's Cup Jelik took a one point lead after Quantum Racing finished in second spot. With nine racing class boats turning up at the Royal Langkawi Int Regatta the heat was turned up and the pressure to perform even more difficult in a mixed field. After 8 extremely close races with several lead changes it is Ray Roberts on Quantum Racing that came to the fore and captured the title for the third time in succession. A couple of crowded start lines saw Frank Pong's Jelik who was leading the event relegated to second place and once again tied with Quantum Racing at the top of the AYGP Championships table (See below). Third place for Neil Pryde's newly converted Welbourne 52 Hi Fi Team Pryde sees the previous winner enter the pointscore race for the first time this season. Judging by their performance it won't be the last time and as they contemplate competing at all the remaining events this year it is very likely they will make a late charge for the 2007-08 title. Go directly to the RLIR 08 Photo Gallery

King's Cup - Frank Pong's Jelik regains the lead - AYGP Championships starting to take shape...
Frank Pong's convincing win on Jelik at the 21st King's Cup spirals them to the top of the 2007-08 AYGP Championships table with six valuable hard earned points. After three of the eight rounds of the AYGP Championships are completed, a three way battle is emerging at the top of the table. Second place for Ray Roberts Quantum Racing plus the Raja Muda win puts them in second place and only one point adrift of Jelik. Although Fred Kinmonth / Nick Burns co-owned Fortis Mandrake (3 Pts) did not score any points at the King's Cup they are within reach of the leaders and always ready to strike. Third place for Stephen Reith chartering the Sydney 40 Foxy Lady III sees them enter the pointscore race for the first time. The battle at the top is expected to continue at the Royal Langkawi Int Regatta and Singapore Straits in January. Competing yachts seem to enjoy different wind ranges, which will inevitably play a big role in determining who goes on to improve their position in the points table. Check out the KC07 Photo Gallery

Raja Muda Selangor Int. Regatta - Ray Roberts & Quantum Racing enter the frey early
After only two rounds of the 2007-08 AYGP Championships have been completed a three way tie exists at the top of the table. Ray Roberts win at the Raja Muda not only earns his DK46 Quantum Racing - 3 valuable points but enters the pointscore early in the season at the top. Second place for the Fred Kinmonth / Nick Burns co-owned Fortis Mandrake adds two points onto their third place at the China Coast Regatta to put them equal with Quantum Racing. 2006-07 AYGP Champion Frank Pong's Jelik win at the China Coast Regatta completes the present three way tie on points. Third place for the new factory owned DK 46 Janda Baik skippered by Khairul Shahril sees them enter the pointscore race for the first time. The battle at the top is expected to continue at the Kings Cup next week, plus at the Royal Langkawi Int Regatta and Singapore Straits in January. The yachts are all finely tuned and on the pace in different wind ranges, which will play a big role in determining who goes on to improve their position in the points table. Raja Muda Race Reports Check out the AY Photo Library pages or access RMSIR07 images directly at: http://asianyachting.com/photos/photo.htm?RMSIR07

China Coast Regatta - Frank Pong & Jelik continue on winning ways...
After a nail biting finish at the 2006-07 season ending Koh Samui Regatta to clinch the AYGP Championships, Frank Pong and Jelik have started the 2007-08 Season with a resounding win at the China Coast Regatta. First and fastest in five out of six races in the series. Only Sam Chan's Ffreefire 52 could intervene and take a race away to avoid a clean sweep. Held in strong winds up to 25 knots the 75ft Jelik revels in these conditions as her long waterline allows her to ride easier through the choppy seas and get up and plane downwind at speeds exceeding 20 knots. Although only minutes separated them on corrected time Sam Chan's Ffreefire 52 and the Nick Burns/Fred Kinmonth co-owned Fortis Mandrake traded second and third places behind Jelik to finish up with a one point separation and second and third overall respectively. This result will put the Hong Kong boats that are usually top runners during the season in a good position for the rest of the year. China Coast Race Reports

Check out the Annual AYGP 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 and 2006-07 Champions

Goto the AY Photo Library for images of the 2003/04, 2004/05 2005/06 2006-07 AY Grand Prix Champions presentation with selected shots taken during the season here...

Check out the Annual AYGP 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 and 2006-07 Champions

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