17th Royal Langkawi International Regatta - Day 4

17th Royal Langkawi International Regatta - Day 4 © Andy Leong / RLIR 2019

Sailing teams are closer to cementing their overall positions in different classes at the Day Four race of the 17th Royal Langkawi International Regatta 2019, after two races for the day.

The first race of the day took place on a shorter Kuah Harbour race course while the second race was at the gusty West Coast race course - only for the second time ever - along with the scenic Pantai Telaga and Pantai Cenang stretch. The plateau boats did three races in Kuah Harbour only and did not sail on the west course today.

Much drama was there nevertheless, with the sailing teams now and then.

Fugazi Racing managed 43.5 kilometres in just over two hours albeit it being a longer course, finishing faster than its round the island race. On the other hand, Phoenix under IRC2 clashed into the marine police boat (start boat) and its crew escaped unhurt.

Tayfun Koksal, RLIR 2019 Regatta Director said in the Racing Class, it is obvious that Team Hollywood is in firm control as they have won eight races out of eight so far and it appears that they will lift the Prime Minister's Challenge Trophy on the closing day of the regatta tomorrow.

"Unfortunately, IRC 1 contender Char Chan hit a rock yesterday during the around the island race and were stuck for 10 minutes, and later had to retire from the race due to damage to their boat."

"This is such a pity as they are a competitive team and had great potential. Hopefully, they will be back to challenge for this trophy next year. Mata Hari KL Registry stands a good chance to win under its class for the 5th year in a row,'' he said.

The 17th Royal Langkawi International Regatta (RLIR) 2019 is ongoing in Kuah, Kedah between 8 and 12 January 2019.

Organised by the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club (RLYC), the RLIR 2019 has 35 new entrants and the re-emergence of veteran sailors from 8 countries - Australia, United Kingdom, United States of America, Russia, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, and Thailand.

Malaysia is represented by 19 sailing boats.

Participating teams compete in seven classes such as the Racing Class, IRC 1, IRC 2, Sportsboat, Club Cruising, Multihull, and White Sail.

Trophies and awards include the coveted Prime Minister's Challenge Trophy (Racing Class), the LADA-International Racing Class Challenge Trophy (IRC 1 Class), RLIR-International Racing Class Challenge Trophy (IRC 2 Class), the Commodore's Challenge Cup (Club Cruising Class), Langkawi Sports Trophy (Sportsboat Class), as well as the Malaysia Multihull Challenge Cup (Multihull Class).

RLIR 2019 is organised in partnership with Tourism Malaysia, the Ministry of Youth and Sports Malaysia, the Malaysia Sailing Association and the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA).

Overall standings after Race Day Four for all classes:

Racing Class (Prime Minister's Challenge Trophy)

• Team Hollywood, skippered by Ray Roberts - score of 7
• THA72, skippered by Kevin Whitcraft - score of 14
• SCS Janda Baik, skippered by Mohd Khairul and Shahril Zakaria - score of 26

• Mata Hari KL Registry, skippered by Vincent Chan - score of 11
• MegaZip, skippered by Alexey Mashkin - score of 15
• East Marine Emagine, skippered by Scott Noel Bradley - score of 21

• APW Endeavour of Whitby, skippered by Stuart Williamson - score of 10
• Phoenix, skippered by Niels Degenkolw - score of 13
• The Blue Angel, skippered by Jeremy Camps - score of 17

• Marikh, skippered by Hasani Hassan - score of 9
• Iseulta, skippered by Tristram Denyer - score of 11
• VG Offshore, skippered by Rama Menon - score of 12

• MSA Team, skippered by Muhd Uzzair Amin - score of 10
• Navy 1, skippered by Harisfabillah Muhamat - score of 16
• RSYC Team, skippered by Rizal Mahadi Sazli - score of 21

• Fugazi, skippered by Dan Fidock - score of 9
• Twin Sharks, skippered by John Newnham - score of 11
• Allegro, skippered by Bob McIntyre - score of 21

• Chantique, skippered by A'dale Adham Ayahudin - score of 6
• Eveline, skippered by Dato' Richard Curtis - score of 9
• Linda, skippered by Woodrow Jack Christensen - score of 14