Raceday four got off to an early start in medium winds which intensified during the races to a full 23 knots, the strongest so far. As a result, the rounds were quick and sailing, exhilarating. All classes got off cleanly down a spinnaker run to 210 degrees on course #5.

Light winds on the first raceday had organizers worried as the 3rd BMW Royal Langkawi International Regatta got underway March 1. But the first race ran well with 10 knot breezes. The only mishap occurred when Pinocchio got her rudder tangled in the pin anchor line retiring her from race one.

Chris and Colin Hay are dream chasing in their boat Dream Catcher. In February 2003 they retired, sold up, and bought a 45ft Hardin cruising boat which they found on the internet. They came out and saw her in Port Dickson, decided Dream Catcher truly was their dream boat and soon afterwards took possession of her here in Langkawi.

Aseana Percussion Unit (APU) have been beating their way into people’s hearts throughout the regatta with their fusion of east and west ‘World Music’. The members of this very versatile and multi-instrumental playing band are Malaysian grown.

The International yachting Advisory Board has received important information from the World Nutrition Panel.

Being a newcomer to regatta life I was not truly prepared for the amount of stamina required to keep up with the 'apres yachting'! The nightly presentation dinners have tested not only my waistline, liver and rhythm but also my reflexes. No-one had warned me not to stand in the way of hungry yachties!

As the boats were about to start Race 4 an incident occurred between Fistral and Regolarita II. Regolarita II was to windward of Fistral and some other boats. As Regolarita II attempted to start, she bore away to leeward to make the starting line. Unfortunately Fistral and some other boats were to leeward.

An American from Cleveland, Ohio where Bush won the election - he won’t be blamed for that. In the early 60’s, in a junior dinghy regatta, he was first. That kept him going and he became a "regatta junkie". Well known in the US racing community he was hired by boat owners to race their boats as a professional in different classes.

The idea to build a lightweight sports racer came up among a group of yachtsmen in Phuket's Ao Chalong Yacht Club. The existing fleet was several years old and somewhat lack-lustre. Requirements were soon gathered and listed and concrete specifications developed.

First, I'd like to say thank you to those who've commented that they liked the offerings in the newsletter this week. It is very much a team effort and we have worked hard to try to provide you with something interesting and informative.

The editorial team behind Langkawi Eagle 2005...

Raceday 3 got off to a disastrous start when Rigolarita II hit Fistral amidships leaving a gaping hole about two feet above waterline at the start of the Cruising Class races. Rigolarita II herself suffered damage to her bow-sprit and the unfortunate incident took both yachts out of the race.

That tall ruggedly-seaworthy craft you may have seen guarding marks at the BMW Royal Langkawi International Regatta is known as a Makassar Schooner, one of a proud line of regional trading ships which used to ply the South China Sea during the wild and wooly days of the Spice Trade.

Sheila and Paul Brennan are well known faces around the marinas in Langkawi while Peter and Cheryl Ainsworth are in 'cruiser heaven' being in this part of the world.

Meet Alan Bligh our new MC. He left KL in such a hurry he forgot to pack his sea legs, but still managed to enjoy his day on Silolona, as he got into the spirit (or at least champagne) of the regatta in preparation for his debut this evening.

You should try to visit at least one of these night markets during your stay. This is where the locals do their shopping and it should suit the budget of your average yachtie! Sunglasses, watches, DVDs and other bits and pieces can be found amongst the fruit and vegie stalls.

Everyone knows how quick down the line Yo can be when handled correctly as it has been during this BMW Royal Langkawi International Regatta, but what everyone doesn't know... including its owners... is where its builder has disappeared to.

At most "do's" some yachties occasionally have something they don't like, or at worst something to complain about. Circulating around on Wednesday night I only heard lavish praise from everyone on The Four Seasons venue hosted by Malaysian Airlines. For me it was faultless and an 'experience' I will never forget.

The second raceday got off to a shakey start as a crewmember from Ulumulu slipped and fell during prerace rigging and incurred a painful ankle injury. Offloaded he was quickly rushed by police boat to the hospital with hopes of a quick recovery.

"Laundry!" was the first response I got when I asked this question. For those who want a little more in life on the LAY DAY here are some suggestions.

David Richards and Geoff Cruse are the regatta's official measurers. When these guys say 6 inches, they mean 6 inches literally!

The king of Malaysian herbs is the root Tongkat Ali. It is often referred to as the Malaysian answer to viagra! Tongakat Ali is a potent and natural aphrodisiac which has been used in this region for centuries.

For those who have not already found out for themselves, our 'very easy on the eyes' MC is Lina Teoh. The former Miss World Second Runner Up (third place, if you are having problems working that out!), is a very well known face here in Malaysia.

Save your beer can/soft drink tabs. The yacht Lighten Up is collecting these for an organization in Thailand who use the metal to make prosthesis for amputees. Keep an ear out for collection details at each of the presentation and dinner venues.

After the exciting morning on a multihull yesterday, I found out just how short-handed Reinhard was as he and Philippe sat there alone looking a little forlorn. With only three we could not crew the boat. So, if anyone wants to crew, Pythius Aura is down dock D on the left.

The first Raceday of the BMW Royal Langkawi International Regatta 2005 got off to a start at 10:10 hrs Tuesday, with 10 knot winds out of the northeast. The morning courses (#1 and #2) were laid out with a beginning up-wind leg straight into the breeze and then a down-wind run to the finish.

Sue & Brian Berger are first timers to the BMW Royal Langkawi Regatta. Sue is one of the friendly faces at the Skipper Bag Counter while Brian is crewing on Switch Blade. They began sailing with charter boats in Greece, Turkey and the Caribbean whilst living in Egypt.

Skipper Kazuo Kuramochi, Commodore of the Moroiso Yacht Owners Club of Japan, claims his team of well lubricated engineers and teachers are a shoe-in for first place honours. "We gonna win." he yells over mumblings of 'banzai' and 'doko, imasuka? (where am I)' "We got Beer Power!"

Just in case you thought all that merriment was playing with your vision, let us set your mind at rest. Pink buffalos do actually exist in Langkawi. They are albino buffalos and the unusual colour of their hide is the result of a genetic defect.

It dawned on me this morning, (ha ha), that one interesting aspect of reporting and getting amongst the fleet is the opportunity I get to 'test drive' various boats that I've not had the chance to sail before and give you the report -- perfect!

All participants welcomed to the BMW Royal Langkawi International Regatta 2005.

Wicky Sundram, General Manager of the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club says that the BMW Royal Langkawi International Regatta 2005 will be the best of the series of three so far especially in terms of sailing quality.

In Phuket it was not easy at short notice to join a boat on the Rebak Champagne Run 2005.In Phuket it was not easy at short notice to join a boat on the Rebak Champagne Run 2005, finally Rainer Reinhard from Pytheas Aura offered me a lift.

At 10 a.m., February 26, Rainer, his wife Lek and two crew (Moon and Alvin)...

Langkawi has a legendary reputation - literally! The island is steeped in legends, which are made all the more real because its people truly believe in them!

Most people who come to Langkawi learn of the legend 'The Curse of Mahsuri'.

The Rebak Champagne Run was first instigated in 2003 by The Royal Langkawi Yacht Club as a feeder race, and it also presents a good opportunity to prepare and practice for the following main event, the BMW Royal Langkawi Yacht Club International Regatta.