Charter a boat and join the Raja Muda International Regatta

by Event Media on 29 Sep 2007 For anyone with a sudden urge to participate in ‘Asia’s most tactical regatta’, or anyone who has been meaning to do it for ages and not quite got round to it – make up your mind now! This is one of the very best regattas in Asia, and there are several yachts available for charter posted on the regatta website - www.rmsir.com.

The Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta will take place this year from 16th to the 24th November, so there's still time to charter one of the boats available or even get your yacht there if you're not far away. The Regatta departs from Port Klang on the south west coast of Malaysia, and travels up the coast as far as that beloved spot for all cruisers, Lankawi.

Phoenix, an X-Yacht 3.4 tonner is in the list, and has been performing very well in recent regattas – definitely good for a crack at IRC Class honours.

And there are crew looking for places – so roll up, all those short-handed skippers.

The Regatta has added the Dorsett Hotel in Penang to its list of ‘recommended’ accommodation. The Dorsett has recently come under new management and had a complete face lift.

Background:

Established in 1990, it is Malaysia's oldest keelboat sailing regatta and one of the region's premier events, ranking alongside Thailand's Phuket King's Cup and Hong Kong's China Coast Regatta and China Sea Race It is more prestigious and challenging than other regattas such as Phuket Race Week, Singapore Straits Regatta and the Philippines President's Cup.

The only other sailing event in Malaysia of any stature is the 4 year old Royal Langkawi International Regatta. The Raja Muda is also one of the very few true offshore passage racing regattas in the region, the others being Australia's Sydney to Hobart and various coastal races, and Hong Kong's China Sea/San Fernando and Vietnam/ Hainan races.

The Regatta takes place each November over the course of 9 days, and is timed to finish a week prior to the Phuket King's Cup, as many yachts compete in both events. This year the Raja Muda Regatta dates are Friday 16th to Saturday 24th November. RMSIR opens in Port Klang on Friday 16th with a welcome party where the Regatta Patron, HRH Sultan of Selangor and/or another VIP such as the Minister of Tourism presents plaques and welcomes the participants.

On Saturday 17th the yachts, watched by the media, race 80+ miles overnight to Pangkor to arrive by Sunday morning. That evening there is a beachside prizegiving party attended by local Perak officials. On Monday 19th at midday the yachts race overnight to Penang to arrive on the Tuesday morning. In the afternoon there is a friendly Trishaw race followed by a hawker foods street party at the Tanjong City Marina in George Town.

On Wednesday there is race in the waters north of Tanjong Bungah followed by a prizegiving party at E&O Hotel, graced by a Penang VIP. On Thursday 22nd the yachts race overnight to Langkawi to arrive early the next morning.

Friday is a spare day for yachtsmen to relax, sight see, shop, play golf, etc. On Saturday 24th there are races within Bass Harbour, with local TV and other media in attendance, followed by the final gala prize giving dinner graced customarily by HRH Sultan of Selangor and other notables.