14th Raja Muda International Regatta 2003 - Leg 2: Pangkor Island to Pulau Pinang

The predicted weather conditions did not eventuate forcing the race officer Jimmy Farquhar to delay the start a little to allow the sea breeze to fill in, before they got on with the days proceedings. This leg from Pankor to Pinang is usually a 60nm drag race but as the wind was on the nose most of the race, it turned into a close hauled tactical battle along the Kra Bank for the leading class 1 racers. After experiencing near drifting conditions within sight of the finish line a few minutes of excitement prevailed as a tropical thunderstorm descended upon them which successfully rearranged the finishing order and the resultant lull in the breeze afterwards made it a slow and tedious finish for the trailing fleet.

In Racing Class 1A this time, the tables where turned in favour of Keith Moore's DK 43 Pla Loma after handicaps are applied. Neil Pryde's Hi-Fidelity managed to clinch Line Honours from Ray Roberts on Hollywood Boulevard by a mere 40 seconds before hitting the finishing mark and managed to finish up in 2nd spot. Peter Ahern's YO! crossed shortly afterwards taking 3rd place and Hollywood Ray made the best of a unfavourable situation to end up 4th.

The Malaysian youth team on Panic in Racing Class 1B made up for their first race disapointment with a resounding line and handicap win over the rest. As the light breeze faded during the early hours of the morning so did the hopes of the remaining boats left on the water. Bill Bremner's Foxy Lady snuck into 2nd place with Jeremy Muller's Scallywag the the all girl crew on Gotcha Lagi! lucky to cross the finish with only 36 seconds remaining before the 24 hour time limit expired.

A simular fate fell on the Cruising Class and Andrew Findlay's Pelangi was the only finisher in the time limit to record his second first place victory. All others where allocated a DNF (Did Not Finish).

Jon Wardill's Australian Maid scored their second bullet, this time from Hans Hvide's Swann 68 Irvmiren and the Keith Garry skippered Yendys to take a commanding lead in the Premier Cruising class.

In the Classic Class race one winner Claus Karthe's Hans Christian 48 Greensleeves from the Philippines added a further win overnight to lead the overall standings. The Royal Malaysian Navy's entry Dondang Sayang skippered by Malik Sulaiman took second place in front of Tunku Nazim's F31. After being awarded a OCS for being over the start line early in Race 1, Dato' Richard Curtis's 100 year old Bristol Pilot Cutter Eveline made up for it to be placed 5th this time out.

Leg 3 is a 60nm sprint from Pinang to the legendary Islands of Langkawi which hopefully will produce some quick times for which this leg is famous for. The changing fortunes so far has produced a mixed bag of results which has evened up the pointscores in some classes as we proceed into the final passage race of the series.
Ends

Goto the Website Edition with photos at: http://asianyachting.com/news/RMIR03.htm