Monsoon Cup officially opened

by Rurrum Communications on 3 Dec 2008
The 4th edition of the Monsoon Cup was officially opened by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin today amidst sirens and drum beats breaking the silence and drowning the sounds of waves along the shores of Pulau Duyong.

It was a symbolic opening ceremony which started at Shahbandar in Kuala Terengganu with the normal pomp and pageant before the Monsoon Cup was ferried on a Royal Malaysian Naval vessel to Pulau Duyong, accompanied by an armada of boats and four yachts, symbolizing the fourth edition of the cup.

Prior to the arrival of the armada, a team of Formula Future world champions kept the fans at the Marina in Pulau Duyong thrilled with their spectacular dare devil maneuvers.

The team comprised three-time world champion in class 1 and 2, Shazwan Mohd Noor, Mohd Zafri Ammar, the 2008 Class 1 world champion, Nik Danial Afiffuddin, 2008 Class 3 champion, Mohd Faizullah Ramli, 2007 Class 1 champion and Tengku Alauddin Mahmud, winner of the 2008 Sukma gold in Terengganu.

A group of young sailors on dinghies were also on the entourage that followed the naval vessel and according to Terengganu Watersports Association honorary secretary Adlin Masood, the exposure would do them a world of good.

'Watching world class sailors in action at their own backyard would act as an inspiration for young aspiring sailors to emulate their feat,' said Adlin.

Meanwhile, Tuanku Mizan who arrived with Raja Permaisuri Agong Nur Zahirah, sounded the siren to mark the start of the Monsoon Cup which features 12 world class teams.

The Monsoon Cup is also the last stage of the nine-leg World Match Racing Tour and one that would decide the world champion.

Monsoon Cup TV Coverage

Asia’s ESPN Star Sport telecast each night at 10.30pm highlights from the day’s racing.

Broadcasters for Live coverage on Saturday and Sunday and highlight shows from Tuesday through to Friday include ESPN Star Sports, Eurosport, Sky New Zealand, Showtime Arabia, Setanta, SuperSports Network TV, Eurosport Asia Pacific, American 1 Sports TV, Eurosport.com, Sports Max Caribe, Eurovision, BT Vision, Viasat VOD, Moto TV.