Light Winds But 8th Regatta Begins Smashingly

By Richard Blair

Although delayed while the PRO huffed and puffed up some breeze, the first day of the Royal Langkawi International Regatta got off to a rousing start with light breezes in Bass Bay. The windward-leeward course was laid out in a general east-west direction and the top division was led off with Evolution Racing tacking early to the south. The Second division started in a cluster while Katsu broke free with Phoenix in hot pursuit.

The Spots boats looked like Siamese quintuplets as they sashayed across all except for Navy 1 taking a solitary tack to windward. At the winward mark meanwhile, Boracay Jelik II pipped Hi Fi with Evolution and Zuhal undecided as to which should round first. And back at the start, where the wind was falling, the Multihulls were having trouble even drifting across the line.

But the Racers on their down-wind leg were sporting full spinnakers with Boracay, in the lead, cleanly slicing thru the Club and Cruising divisions as they started their beat up-wind at 11.30.

From there Evolution put on steam and almost caught up to the two leaders by the leeward mark. Boracay was executing a deft series of tacks to reach the mark first with Hi Fi reaching in from the north and Evolution gliding down from the south. It was a near thing but then on the upwind leg it was all Evolution and Boracay duking it out. They took the top mark for the second time as the multihulls were beginning their spinnaker runs and Katsu, on a shorter course, slipped across the finish line leaving everyone well back of her wake.

Then the Racers approached the top mark for the third time with Evolution shaving the mark from the west as Boracay cut in from the North and followed a sports boat around leaving Evolution to polish her rudder. Then followed a scramble as the Sports Boats, Premier Cruising and Club boats closed on the mark for the last run to the finish. The horizon filled with kites as they all charged the line and Evolution won line honours just ahead of Boracay and a minute later Hi Fi and Phoenix leading in the IRC1 Division.

Second Race
The second race got underway with slightly firming breezes with most divisions getting off neatly in close order. Zuhal was the first to break from the Racers trying Evolution's tack-tic to no avail despite the more easterly wind. Koull Baby led the Premier Cruisers across as the others maneuvered then the five Sports boats and it was a stronger start for the Multihulls except that Blue Moon was caught doodling far to the west of the line and took a long time to get into the race. Meanwhile Boracay on spinnaker was bearing down followed by Evolution and Hi Fi with Zuhal not too far behind.

Then the first IRC Premier Cruising boats Katsu and Koull Baby dueled for the leeward mark. Katsu got around first but then took the wrong tack letting Koull Baby ahead on the second tack. Meanwhile Boracay got a long lead over Evolution and Hi Fi who were doing a promenade waltz down the south side of the course.

Katsu crossed the finish line first again with Koull Baby nowhere in sight. Boracay led the racers in with no contest then Phoenix came across for the IRCs and Navy 1 led the Sports boats in followed by Hifi and Evolution. The first Club boat was Rapscallion on a course shortened for the last four divisions because of failing wind.

Royal Langkawi International Regatta 2010

The 8th Langkawi International Regatta launched on Monday, January 11, from the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club with a fleet of 26 Boats ranging from Racing Class to Club Cruisers, all sound and salty, vying for a treasure of brass including the 14 class awards and the two overall awards: the Prime Minister's' Challenge Trophy and The RLYC Commodore's Chalenge Cup.

Tipped by none other than the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato' Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak as 'one of the most anticipated annual events among sailboat and yachting enthusiasts', the 8-race series was the brain-child of the late YM Tunku Tan Seri Abdullah and is now under the aegis of YM Tunu Dato' Ya'acob present Commodore of the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club.

It is also recognized by Menteri Besar Chief Minister of Kedah, Dato' Seri Ustaz and current Minister of Tourism, Dato' Sri Dr. Ng Yen Yen, and Minister of Youth and sports, Dato' Ahmad Shabery Cheek.

The site of Langkawi Island has consistently provided skippers entering the races with good strong winds and clear sunny skies, and this year's start is no different. And close to the heart of all sailors is the evening schedule of parties and awards ceremonies taking place at the RLYC.