Ray Roberts guides Ulumulu to a win in Borneo

by Asian Yachting/Sail-World on 27 Apr 2005 Not only are there trophies galore at the Borneo Cup, but competitors have won the hearts of the locals, gained some new friends and been treated to some of the warmest hospitality they are ever likely to experience.

This is considered the way forward in Borneo; the people are extremely proud of their achievements and are now ready to show the world.

Troy Yaw's mainly home grown team on Ulumulu are emerging heroes in Miri, forging ahead as Malaysia's only full blown racing class competitor.

Carrying the distinctive colors of Sarawak and named after the Mulu National Heritage Caves, they have competed at six major regattas since purchasing the yacht, taking every opportunity to promote their State and Miri Marina during these events.

Ulumulu lost only one race, and that by 36 seconds, to Chris Goodwin's Ambil Angin. It left the only blot on Yaw’s score sheet since showing tremendous improvement under well known Australian skipper, Ray Roberts’ guidance.

Ulumulu recorded a run away win in the IRC Racing class to lift the impressive Borneo Perpetual trophy for the second time.

In Club Racing division, Paul Scholten, sailing two-handed with Steve Corrigan on Burragah, clinched the overall title with 1- 2 results in the final two races. They had done enough in the earlier races to leave Bob Green's Star of Siam from Brunei in second spot.

A scratch crew led by Richard Kho from Kutching sailed the Tourist Commissions Sarawak Seahorse into third place.

In the Cruising class, Michael Batham's Sea Quest broke the tie coming into the final day, with two convincing wins over Dennis Shepherd's Southerly Change. This left Ron Fitzpatrick's Columbus, the early leader, in third place after suffering damage and forcing its retirement from two races.

Holding seminars to discuss future regatta developments in the region, along with looking at how to improve on the present entries, seems to have become the flavour of the month in Asia.

Recently at Boat-Asia in Singapore, and more recently here in Borneo, representatives from local yacht clubs, sailing associations and boat owners have thrown around a few ideas.

The overall consensus is to develop sailing on the local scene by introducing keelboat racing, and by making some yachts available for charter, giving competitors the opportunity of flying in, doing the regatta and returning home, thereby avoiding lengthy and expensive yacht deliveries.

Chairman of the Borneo Cup, YB Lee Kim Shin, likes to take a hands-on approach. He suggested forming an Asian Yachting Federation to bring race committees together to work out a suitable calendar of events.

As most representatives were present, greater cooperation was agreed to when selecting dates and promoting all classes, be it dinghy, keelboat or catamarans.

At the Borneo Cup, Troy Yaw announced that he had purchased Alan Bond's former America's Cup 12 metre yachts; Australia’s 111 and 1V, with the intension of introducing match racing and corporate team building from his Miri Marina later in the year.

This move is definitely a first for South East Asia, showing the progressive thinking and daring nature of the people involved. It could also firmly plant Miri on the world stage and put future yacht races in Borneo in good hands.

Full results and tourism links: www.borneorace.com

*Amended by Sail-World