NeilPryde Racing Series to join Thailand's Top of the Gulf Regatta

The NeilPryde Racing Series – a one-design windsurfing class world tour – will race in Thailand for the first time at the 2012 Top of the Gulf Regatta, Jomtien Beach, Pattaya, Thailand. The Series will race over the first two days of the Regatta, Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th May, and provide a spectacular display of close-quarter racing at Ocean Marina Yacht Club.

Launched in 2011, the NeilPryde Racing Series will hold its first stop of 2012 in Pattaya in conjunction with the Top of the Gulf Regatta. Subsequent sailing venues for 2012 include Istanbul (Turkey), Dunkerque (France), Porto (Portugal), Cardiff (Wales), Trapani (Italy), Nice (France), Hong Kong and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).

Designed by Olympic windsurf equipment supplier NeilPryde, the NeilPryde Racing Series uses the new, universal one-design ISAF windsurfing class, the RS:One.

The RS:One Class features a new, attractive, and dynamic race format making the racing a spectacle for the crowds. One sail, one board - everyone on the same equipment allowing male and female racers of all ages to compete together with equal chances.

Top Asian athletes will compete on the RS:One along with local windsurfing heroes and London Olympic Games representatives from Thailand. The winners of each division will share the US$3000 prize money.

Race Manager, Emmanuel Messiaen, said “We expect 20 to 30 racers in Pattaya, with a strong representation from Thailand, as well as racers from Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. Being a one-design class, we will supply the RS:One equipment and all will be equal. The winner will be the one who races the best over the two days.”

The Top of the Gulf Regatta is Asia's largest multi-class regatta, combining keelboats and multihulls with dinghies and beach catamarans, and new for this year windsurfing, in conjunction with the NeilPryde Racing Series and with support from the Windsurfing Association of Thailand.

William Gasson, Founder and Chairman of the Top of the Gulf Regatta Organising Committee, said “We're delighted to welcome the NeilPryde Racing Series to the Top of the Gulf Regatta this year. The Regatta aims to support all disciplines within the sport of sailing and this year we will have a diverse fleet on-the-water from boards to dinghies to beach catamarans, multihulls and keelboats.”

The Top of the Gulf Regatta will take place 4 – 8 May 2012 at Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Jomtien Beach, Pattaya, Thailand. The NeilPryde Racing Series will take place 5th and 6th May, with a possible exhibition night race with LED sails on the evening of Saturday 5th May.

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