The RLIR is the brainchild of Tunku Tan Sri Abdullah Tuanku Abdul Rahman, the commodore and pricipal founder member of the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club (RLYC).

While the events have been drawing regular boats and new participants who actively race in the regional yacht circuits, the participation of youth sailors in the IRC Class has drawn equal attention.

Heading the list will be debutants Royal Selangor Yacht Club (RSYC), who have been entering youth crews in the Raja Muda Regatta for the past four years.

Six young students will be competing in their boat, Gapurna Mas Ayu II, which has been chartered from RSYC members.

RSYC are setting up a regular Youth Training Programme in Port Klang, under the instructions of senior coaches from the UK-based Royal Yachting Association.

Among the the RSYC crew members for the RLIR are Looi Sing Hoe (23), who comes from a family of well- known KL-based sailors. He has had 10 years' experience in Optimist and Laser dinghies that has taken him to the SEA Games and previous Raja Muda Regattas.

A student of Kemayan ATC, Sing Hoe will be the boat's skipper.

Ong Khong Shing (22), who has also been sailing for 10 years, has won awards for dinghy sailing in many regional events. He is a veteran of two previous Raja Muda Regattas and is a seasoned keelboat sailor.

Khong Shing hopes to own a racing boat upon graduation.

Kedah are set to field another youth team, while confirmation by an English side was expected last night.

The RLIR consists of two main trophies – the Prime Minister's Challenge Trophy and the Commodore's Challenge Cup.

The former is open to international- ly-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 the winners of the Sports Boats and Multihull categories.

Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, will be attending the Grand Prize Presentation ceremony on Thursday to present his Challenge Trophy.

The Peter Ahern-skippered Yo! is not competing this year for the PM's Challenge Trophy after a hat-trick of wins.

The race is now expected to be even more competitive with boats like Zuharam from Royal Malaysian Navy, Mahligai (Britain), Ericsson V060 (Britain) and Bolero (Holland) set to put up a strong challenge.