Please select your home edition
Edition
North Sails Loft 57 Podcast

Monsoon sailing school a breeze

by Charles Fernandez, The Star Online on 25 Aug 2009
Picturesque sight: MSS participants sailing in three keel boats in Putrajaya Lake with the administrative capital’s scenic bridges in the background. Rohaizat Md Darus
33 participants, aged between 18 and 63, now have a better understanding of what competitive sailing is all about after attending the inaugural Monsoon Sailing School (MSS) in Putrajaya recently.

The four-day clinic, held at the Putrajaya Maritime Centre, was organised to prepare them for what to expect if they qualify for the finals of the Monsoon Cup to be held at Pulau Duyong in Terengganu from Dec 1 to 6.

World-class coaches like Bill Gladstone and Charlie Enwright from the United States and Brad Sheridan from Australia were flown in for the classroom sessions and on-water training. They lent credence to the sailors’ preparation for the Monsoon Cup Malaysia Open Qualifier in November.

Among the teams at the MSS were the Malaysian Armed Forces teams Navy 1 and Navy 2, which are vying for a spot in the Monsoon Cup. The other teams comprised sailing enthusiasts from various parts of the country and participants from The Netherlands and Great Britain.

While all eyes are on the Navy boys, the Duyong Heritage Sailing Team (DHST), the recently crowned Heritage Bay Cup Round 2 winners from Terengganu, have sounded a warning and have set their sights on much larger seas. “We were ecstatic when we won the Heritage Bay Cup this year. The feeling was unbelievable and it just made us want to go further,” Mohd Saiful Bahri, 30, said. Their dream now is to sail in the Monsoon Cup.



The world-class event, to be held in Terengganu, is the final and deciding leg of the World Match Racing Tour and invites the world’s top match-race sailors to Malaysia in a battle of skills on the water.

DHST’s youngest member, Mohammed Nazairi Zaidi, 23, said watching the Monsoon Cup excitement in his own backyard had given him a taste of the sport.
The clinic was an exposure to a new level of sailing for the participants.
It gave them the opportunity to sail in F36 racing yachts – the same yachts used in the Monsoon Cup – that were brought here for the clinic. “We were able to put into practice all the techniques we learnt in the classroom during the practical sessions,” said Melvin Aeria, the presenter of the Monsoon Cup for four years. “I was especially excited to have hands-on experience in the F36, which I have seen in action many times at the Monsoon Cup. “As an MC for the Monsoon Cup, this experience is invaluable and the clinic helped me get a better understanding of match racing,” Aeria added.

Female participant Nazreen Abdul Ghani, 24, who sails at the Royal Selangor Yacht Club, said: “The clinic has made me a better sailor. “The coaches gave us an insight into various methods of match-racing. I am quite excited and have keen interest in participating in the Malaysian Open Qualifiers if I ever get the chance,” she said.

Full story:

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2009/8/25/central/4566767&sec=central

Armstrong 728x90 - Wing FG Board Range - BOTTOMSea Sure 2025Cyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTER

Related Articles

PredictWind launches PredictRain
New app From PredictWind delivers hyper-accurate, short-term rain predictions PredictRain is a groundbreaking standalone app that combines advanced AI modelling with intuitive tools to provide timely and precise rain forecasts for all types of outdoor activities.
Posted today at 4:51 am
49er & 49erFX Junior Worlds champions crowned
One final race before the storm kicked in at Øresund The final day of the 2025 Junior World Championship delivered high drama and even higher waves. As wind and rain swept across the Øresund, Race Committees managed to run one final race before safety concerns forced an early end to the competition.
Posted today at 4:43 am
Admiral's Cup: Emotional, Rare, Unforgettable
The 2025 Admirals' Cup set the stage for a bold new era in offshore racing Once the pinnacle of international offshore sailing, the return of the Admiral's Cup was a resounding success, setting the stage for a bold new era in offshire racing.
Posted on 4 Aug
29er World Championship at Porto Day 2
The breeze never quite showed up but the action didn't stop Day two of the Porto World Championships began with hope—and strategy. With light winds in the forecast, the race committee scheduled an early start in anticipation of a short sea breeze window.
Posted on 4 Aug
RS Aero World & Youth Worlds overall
The fine Brittany weather and afternoon sea breezes have provided excellent racing The stage was set for a dramatic final day showdown in Quiberon Bay, France, to decide the titles for the 7th RS Aero Worlds and 4th Youth Worlds.
Posted on 4 Aug
RS Feva Worlds at Aix-les-Bains, France Overall
Crowning of our 2025 World Champions As our World Championships drew to a thrilling close on Friday afternoon, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation! Sailors and families were buzzing with excitement as they prepared for their journey home.
Posted on 4 Aug
ClubSwan 28 American Series launched
US-based regatta series unites high-performance design with competitive racing. Nautor Swan today announces the launch of the ClubSwan 28 American Series in collaboration with Terry Hutchinson and American Magic, a new high-performance racing circuit designed to ignite competitive sailing in the U.S.
Posted on 4 Aug
Just another event?
Is Cowes Week still a pinnacle regatta? We've been blessed with incredible sailing so far this summer in the UK (for once) with great breeze much of the time, and some of the best events in the world gracing our shores. But, like with Storm Floris, there are clouds on the horizon...
Posted on 4 Aug
Safe Harbor Race Weekend starts Friday
Exciting racing, unforgettable shoreside festivities on tap Ever growing in popularity and caliber, the three-day Safe Harbor Race Weekend will host an impressive fleet of 73 boats on August 8 when it begins its fifth annual edition in Newport, R.I.
Posted on 4 Aug
Tenerife Windsurf Grand Slam Day 3
Pierre Mortefon draws first blood after the wind fills in late After a couple of days of waiting for the wind, Day 3 eventually provided the goods to end the wait for some official competition as the Slalom X got under way during the early evening in 15-18 knots of wind.
Posted on 4 Aug