A press conference was held on Friday afternoon, April 29, at Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Pattaya to announce the official start of the 2011 Top of the Gulf (TOG) Regatta.
Talking to the assembled media, William Gasson, Founder and Chairman of the Regatta Organising Committee said, “We are proud to see the growth of the TOG from a local regatta organized by yachting lovers to the event it has become today – with over 600 sailors representing 30 countries this regatta is now Asia’s largest and contributes significantly to the local economy and local businesses.
“We welcome all the big keel boats and other classes of craft to the regatta, many of which have come from far and wide, but for us (organising committee) we like to think that the most important category is the Optimist fleet which provides junior sailors with their first taste of sailing competition and the chance to hone their skills. They are the future of sailing in the Kingdom,” added Bill.
The organising committee of the 2011 Top of the Gulf Regatta pose for a group photo at a press conference held Friday, April 29 at Ocean Marina Yacht Club,.
He went on to thank all the sponsors of this year’s event without whom the regatta would not have been possible before the microphone was passed over to two of Thailand’s young junior sailors who repesented the Kingdom with such distinction at the World Championships in Langkawi, Malaysia earlier this year.
At the end of the press conference, those in attendance were invited to sign a book of congratulations to celebrate His Majesty the King’s 84th birthday this year. The book is open to all those taking part in the event to sign and will be presented to His Majesty at the end of the regatta.
The first races of the 2011 Top of the Gulf Regatta begin on Saturday morning, April 30, and will conclude on Tuesday, May 3.
