14th Raja Muda International Regatta 2003 - Race Report 3: Pulau Pinang To Langkawi

The 60nm Leg 3 from Pinang to Langawi is renown for having strong wind and this years race did not disappoint the crews. They started in a building North Easterly and 2 sail reached for most of the course before a couple of 20 knot plus storms crossed their path causing a reshuffle of places, giving an advantage to some and punishing others. The crews eagerness to get going resulted in Panic, Joan Marie, Pasaya and Stella being caught over the start line from which they never recovered plus Stardust and Chalupa also being recalled in the Classic Class.

In Racing Class 1A Ray Roberts Hollywood Boulevard took line honours but was relegated to 2nd place overall by Peter Ahern's YO! who matched the higher rated boat, almost boat for boat on the long reaching leg. Coming into this race Hollywood Boulevard, YO! and Neil Pryde's Hi-Fidelity where all tied on 5 points apiece at the top of the table. YO!'s win now gives Peter Ahern's crew a slender 1 point lead coming into the final 2 days of windward/ leeward racing that suites them and which they have won before here.

The all girls Dewi Bayu Team on Gotcha Lagi! pulled of a surprise win in Racing Class 1B and had they been only 1 minute and 20 secs faster would have beaten Yo! in the combined 1A and 1B overall results for this race which would go along way towards winning the prestigious gold and silver RMIR 2003 trophy. Although Jeremy Muller's Scallywag and Graham Linde's Sumatra have not featured in earlier races they finished up 2nd and 3rd respectively to close up the pointscore and make for an exciting finish in this class.

Taking the advantage of sailing a higher course early in the race placed Ian Nicolson's Intrigue of Stornoway in an excellent position when the storm hit to take a well deserved line honours win in the Premier Cruising class. Yachts racing in this class are very evenly matched and make an impressive sight as they travel along in close proximity where one little mistake can see the positions visibly change on the water. This time it is Keith Garry's Yendys that takes the handicap honours from Jon Wardill's Australian Maid who crossed the line only 23 sec's behind them and Intrigue ended up third on handicap.

After suffering some boatspeed problems earlier on Andrew Findlay's Pelangi came from way behind in the Cruising Class to clinch their 3rd win on handicap over Keith Browns faster Muzbnuts who took line honours. Warren Ritchie's Vela filled third spot and the yachts present overall standings are the same as the finishing order.

The battle in the Classic Class and Others resulted in everybody managing to finish in time and low and behold Chalupa skippered by K.P. Chin who was recalled at the start recorded their first ever win in a yacht race. Tunku Nazim's F31 took line honours and placed 2nd in front of Claus Karthe's Greensleeves who leads the overall standings.

Racing in the RMIR now shifts to 4 windward/leeward courses (weather permitting) for the racing classes and day races for the cruising class on picturesque Bass Harbour amongst the 99 islands that make up Langkawi. For the final showdown the best performers on the 3 passage races now have to change their racing strategy and crew skills if they are to stand a chance of going on and capturing the 2003 title.

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