RLIR 2003 - Day 2 Report
(Story by Asian Yachting)

The opening days racing enabled some crews to fine tune their approach and others to shake off the cobwebs after being dormant for several months since last years Kings Cup. With a steady 12 to 15k NWly blowing the stage was set for another wonderful day of racing as the competitors made their way out for the Simpson Marine and EFG Bank offshore passage races. For the racing classes it was their 3rd race and the Multihull and Cruising classes their second after a very festive mood was set at last nights Sheraton Perdana prize presentation.

Peter Ahern's Yo! once again dominated the racing class adding another win to his tally after a close tussle around the course with Neil Pryde's Hi-Fidelity who finished only 10 seconds in front of Luna Nuova skippered by Ray Roberts and his Aussie Workforce Marine racing team in third place.

The Cruising Racer Class A saw a change in fortunes as Clive Richardson's Marigold F1 was bumped up to the top of the podium and Jeremy Camps Cabaret 5 took 2nd place in front of Amir Zohri's Gotcha Lagi! this time. Despite being relegated to 3rd, Gotcha Lagi! still holds onto a slim points lead on the overall leader board.

The hotly contested Sports Class was finally joined by the just launched Phuket 8 who made quick work of the course in the brisk conditions. On her very first outing Scott Duncanson's Somtam Express took Line Honours from Mark Jewell's handicap winner The Dogs 11 but had to settle for a place well down the order due to her handicap configuration. M. Zaidi Md on KDP1 from the Royal Malaysian Navy toppled his counterpart Mohd Hamdan on KDP2 today but the ever consistent Hamdan still retains overall first place to be tied with the Dogs 11 after 3 races.

Tim Milner's Phuket based Charro took both Line and Handicap honours today to top the leaderboard from a fast finishing No Fixed Address now skippered and owned by Brent McInnes from Australia. Mark Horwoods Ceberus powered across the finish line to take third place in front of yesterdays winner Claes Nilsson's Papillon 11 by a mere 30 seconds.

Donald Radclliffe's Klondike once again opened up a commanding lead to win Cruising Class B by the preverbial mile from Michele Pippen's 2nd placed Simpatico and Eric Kading's Fat Cat. Jim Ellis's consistent 2 x 4th places sees him in overall third place despite the jostling for places in front of him.

In the Cruising Live Aboard class Kevan Perrins Rusalka stepped up to take 1st place from Grant Richardson's Eliott. Yesterdays winner R. Javis's double wishbone rigged Blue Jay managed a 3rd place today only to be piped by Rasalka for 1st place overall.

Finally in the Long Keel class 3 yachts managed to finish as the true classic yachts made an impressive sight going from one end of the start line to the other without making much headway to windward. David Kopec's conventional rigged Meander triumphed over Joao Sombra's Guardian and Frank Marrison's Jubilation.

At tonight's Simpson Marine sponsor party their new sales office at the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club will be officially opened by Commodore YAM Tunku Abdullah which will be followed by the usual festivities that sailors the world over have become accustomed to at Asian Yachting Regatta's. All classes have 2 races scheduled tomorrow so some moderation will be required to complete the regatta with a podium finish.
Ends

RLIR 03 Race Results at http://www.langkawiregatta.com/result/result.shtml