This year's third edition of Malaysia's premier sailing event promises to be even bigger than the previous years with more than 35 yachts already registered. A total of 55 yachts are expected to compete in this year's regatta.

BMW Malaysia Sdn Bhd Managing Director, Wolfgang Schlimme said the company was pleased to once again partner the RYLC in organising this prestigious event, raising the profile of Malaysia as a major sailing destination.

"The BMW Group is strongly associated with yachting globally, particularly in our involvement with the premier Oracle BMW Racing Team and also other events across the globe. Similarly, we are also committed to the sport here in Malaysia and we hope our global experience with yachting events will help increase interest in and the prestige of the local scene," he said.

The Royal Langkawi International Regatta is the brainchild of Y.A.M. Tunku Tan Sri Abdullah Tuanku Abdul Rahman, the Commodore and principal founder member of the RYLC. Inaugurated in 2003, the BMW RLIR 2005 is a part of the Asian Regatta Calendar drawing regular boats as well as new participants who actively race in regional yacht circuits.

The BMW RLIR consists of two main trophies - the Prime Minister's Challenge Trophy and the Commodore's Challenge Cup. The former is open to internationally registered yachts while club-registered cruisers compete in the latter category. Two other trophies - the Langkawi Sports Trophy and the Malaysian Multihull Challenge Cup - will be presented to winners of the sports boat and multihull categories.

In last year's event, the Peter Ahern-skippered Yo! emerged triumphant to claim the Prime Minister's Challenge Trophy while Guardian, under the guidance of Joao Sombra, won the Commodore's Challenge Cup.

Y.A.M. Tunku Tan Sri Abdullah Tuanku Abdul Rahman said: "Now into its third year, the BMW RLIR 2005 is already carving its niche within this region's sailing circuit. As the competition heats up in this year's event, we will strive to achieve our objective of raising the Malaysian profile within the Asian Regatta Calendar and give home grown talents a suitable platform to establish themselves."

The BMW RLIR 2005 is title-sponsored by BMW Malaysia Sdn Bhd and supported by the Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board, Lembaga Pembangunan Langkawi (LADA) and the State of Kedah.

For more information on the BMW Royal Langkawi International Regatta 2005, kindly visit our website at www.langkawiregatta.com.