Announcing the 21st Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta, 2010

by Jeff Harris, on 12 May 2010 In November 2010, one of Asia's oldest and most respected sailing regattas 'comes of age.' For the 21st consecutive year, the Royal Selangor Yacht Club (RSYC) in Malaysia is organising the latest edition of the Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta (RMSIR). This challenging international sailing event consists of three overnight passage races, over 200 miles in total, from Port Klang (near Kuala Lumpur) to Pangkor Island, Pangkor to Penang Island and Penang to Langkawi Island, plus two days of 'round the cans' harbour racing. Along the way, dinners and parties are organised almost every night, together with trishaw races, trips to heritage sites and lots of opportunities to socialise. For many crew members, these onshore activities can be almost as demanding as the sailing!

The RMSIR is one of the region's few offshore yacht races, along with the Rolex Sydney-Hobart and the Rolex China Sea Race, and is recognised by the prestigious London-based Royal Ocean Racing Club. Since its inception, the regatta has attracted a loyal band of followers who turn up year after year, often with bigger and better yachts each time. In 2009, almost 60 boats registered from 11 different countries, including Hong Kong, Australia, Thailand and Singapore, with crews representing 24 nationalities. Over 400 sailors and officials participated in the nine day event.

Coastal conditions in the Straits of Malacca set this event apart. Strong tides, unpredictable winds, shallow mud banks, fishing nets strung out across the course and 'Sumatra' storms that appear from nowhere all contribute to making the three night passages races uniquely challenging. Last year, thunderstorms and rain added to that mix for the first two days. Local knowledge certainly helps the navigator but it takes a combination of skill and luck to successfully decide if it's best to hug the coast, sail out offshore or take a more or less straight line up the middle. Most skippers also have to deal with very light winds at some point, and this is the time when concentration and stamina really come into play. On the upside, the sun shines regularly, the water is warm, and shorts and tee-shirts are the order of the day.

No matter what the weather conditions, the overnight bases of Pankor, Penang and Langkawi offer a tropical island experience for all who take part, including warm, clear water, exotic birds and coral reefs. Malaysian cuisine is world-renowned, so for many crew members the chance to try out spicy local delicacies like Roti Canai, Curry Laksa, Satay and Char Kway Teow is as important as the time spent on the water. In Penang, an intermediate prize giving ceremony and dinner is organised at the magnificent Koo Kongsai, a Chinese Clan Temple, where the audience are treated to a colourful cultural show.

Internationally acclaimed sailors such as Neil Pryde, Ray Roberts and Nick Burns/Fred Kinmonth are among former Raja Muda Cup winners who regularly enter their state-of-the-art racing yachts, with professional crews to trim and grind. Dr Jon Wardill has lost count of the times he has competed in his Cassidy 55 Australian Maid since the early 90s, and there are Singapore and Hong Kong based sailors who claim close to 100% participation over a twenty year period. Club sailors are also well represented in the seven classes - IRC I (Raja Muda Cup), IRC 2 (Jugra Cup), IRC 3 and 4, non-IRC cruising, Classic Cruising and OMR Multihulls. A unique aspect of sailing in the RMSIR is that local crews represent a microcosm of Malaysian society, with the same interesting ethnic mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian and expatriate members.

In 2010, the organisers are planning to make the RMSIR bigger and better than ever. Past entrants are actively encouraged to return and newcomers are being attracted. This year, an organising committee member is operating a 'matchmaking agency' to bring together new teams who may want to come to Malaysia to charter a boat and individuals seeking to join a locally based owner looking for additional crew. Groups from Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Europe have already expressed interest in this service and the organisers are keen to hear from any interested sailors and owners.

A brand new web site, www.rmsir.com, is now up and running to provide a wealth of information related to RMSIR, including the Notice of Race, Sailing Instructions, hotel details, charter and crew opportunities. During the event, a novel Live Tracking feature will allow internet users to pinpoint the positions of participating yachts operating AIS, DSC, SPOT messenger or GPSgate equipment. Friends and family back home will be able to see exactly where their team is placed at any time. This service doesn't stretch as far as the bar, however!

Many organisations have been loyal supporters of the event, including Tourism Malaysia, Selangor State, the Malaysian Yachting Association, Guinness Anchor Berhad, YTL Corporation, the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club, Langkawi Development Authority, Penang Port, Penang Global Tourism, Palmgold Corporation, Masteron Sdn Bhd and Limbongan Batu Muang. The regatta organisers are also actively encouraging new sponsors and partners to become involved. Tiger Beer will feature prominently in this Year of the Tiger, with free supplies available at every party.

RSYC has a tradition of encouraging and supporting young sailors. A programme is in place that offers free dinghy training to local youngsters, and RSYC youth teams participate in many national and international events. When available, excess funds from RMSIR are channelled to support these activities and to maintain the boats needed to develop sailing and racing standards. Promoting the sport of sailing by giving something back is a frequently stated aim of the organisers.

Eight days of racing always end with an evening social on the terrace of the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club, complete with a backdrop of the sun setting over surrounding islands. With speeches and prize giving out of the way, the real party starts on the dance floor. Crews banter about final results and taking each other on at the Kings Cup in Thailand, the next event on the Asian circuit. For long-time competitors and first timers alike, just completing the Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta brings a true sense of achievement.

Dates: 19 – 27 November 2010

For further details on all aspects of the 2010 RMSIR and to contact the organisers, visit the regatta web site at www.rmsir.com

The Regatta is organised by Royal Selangor Yacht Club: www.rsyc.com.my