End of May – AsianYachting Grand Prix – News 2016/2017 AYGP Skipper & Yacht of the Year “Hardest sports trophy to win in Asia”

Root & Manning’s Black Baza, crowned AYGP Skipper & Yacht of the Year again
By AY MultiMedia
May 31st 2017: Our moment of glory at the Samui Regatta, came at the combined gala prize presentation party, on the magnificent lawn setting in front of Centara Grand Beach Resort on Chaweng Beach. After winning overall and class titles at the 2016 Hong Kong to Hainan Race and the San Fernando Race, plus IRC 2 on the Subic to Boracay Race and Cup during the 2016/17 Asian Yachting Grand Prix season, Steve Manning & Anthony Root’s Ker 42 Black Baza, were crowned the 2016-17 AYGP Skipper and Yacht of the Year with the Perpetual AYGP Cup filled with champagne, hand crafted take home trophy and donned the specially tailored Trend Fashions Navy Blue Blazer, which is the “hardest sports trophy to win in Asia” and the highlight of the AYGP season.

16th Samui Regatta 2017 2016/17 AY Grand Prix Event AY Race Report 5 & Summary

No let up on final day…
Victory for THA 72, Loco, Lady Bubbly & H30 Multihull Solutions
Black Baza crowned 2016-17 AYGP Skipper & Yacht of the Year
By AY MultiMedia
May 27th, Koh Samui, Thailand: Despite winners for three of the four classes having been decided, the entire fleet were back out on the water, to contest two windward/leeward races and complete the regatta. Overcast sky and 8 to 10 knots from the South West, did not disappoint and yet again defied the bleak weather forecast. Racing in very close quarters, it’s impossible to tell the race winners, until the number crunching takes place. Unprecedented it turned out that THA72 and Zannekin corrected out in IRC 0, with exactly the same time on the first race, as did Loco and a much improved Ramrod in IRC 1 on the same race. This sealed the deal on the overall titles and the celebrations started in grand style.

16th Samui Regatta 2017 2016/17 AY Grand Prix Event AY Race Report 4

A day of two halves…
By AY MultiMedia
May 26th, Koh Samui, Thailand: Overnight the South Westerly returned and by start time the fleet headed off with speed, this time on a passage race to the South of Samui. As they approached the furthermost turning mark, the breeze faded away and left them struggling to make headway, in an adverse current. The back markers closed in and when the breeze returned, the race restarted. Good for the low rating yachts, as they all drift at the same speed and more time added to the race, is in their favour. When it all became painfully slow, the wind returned and a lengthy drag race under spinnaker ensued, as the higher rated yachts tried in vain to get their time back by the finish line. This resulted in a change in the winners circle and apart from the IRC 1 class doesn’t effect the overall leaders.