Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta 2015 – a pause for breath

by Guy Nowell, Sail-World.com on 24 Nov 2015 Last boat home into Pangkor after the race from Port Klang was the venerable Eveline, 100+ years on the timeline, and certainly never one to give up. This time, however, retirement was the only option as the breeze lightened at the end of the race and the cut-off loomed. Eventually they made the call, and the patient crew on the finish boat were able to go ashore after a watch of some 18 hours.

For the rest of the fleet, by then recuperation was the order of the day. It is more or less traditional for the crews arriving in the night to keep the party going as long as possible – and, yes, there was ‘beer for breakfast’ for many. Sunshine and sea breeze are a good way to start the day – or end the night.

The Jury heard a protest, not closeted behind closed doors but very much in the open, and the media department took advantage of the lull in activity to catch up with picture editing and write a story. And as dusk fell over the pretty Pasir Bogok anchorage everyone reconvened for the prizegiving party and (oh dear) the karaoke. Trophies and bottles of Old Pulteney single malt were duly dispensed, and after a certain amount of warbling (of highly variable quality) crews drifted off to bed and the prospect of another start at 1300h tomorrow (Monday).

The Raja Muda is a punishing schedule, with three coastal passage races and three days’ cans racing packed into just eight days. Add in four parties and a rickshaw race (discardable!) and there’s not much time left over. It’s easy to lose track of tine – “What day is it? Will be asked more than once by the end of the week. When you join it all together the event is not so much a series of sprints as a marathon. Race, pause briefly, party, and race again. It is a tactically and navigationally complex series, with highly unpredictable weather systems and strong currents, not to mention the ever present and unseen threat of fishing nets and the notorious Kra Bank. There are always holes, and sometimes they are big holes. It is hot, and enormously tiring. Nevertheless the event has many loyal adherents who have done it over and over again – Fred Kinmonth, co-owner of the GTS 43 EFG Mandrake has been here “about 20 times. I think. It is certainly challenging, and can be both infuriating and exhilarating. It is good racing conducted in a relaxed manner – the way sailing in Asia ought to be. It’s the best regatta in Asia.” Need we say more?

Tomorrow’s race starts at 1300h and takes the fleet 65nm further up the west coast of Malaysia to a finish at the southern tip of Penang.