Youngest Malaysian Skipper in Asian Match Racing Championship

by Rurrum on 21 Nov 2009 Pulau Duyong, 21 November 2009 - Hazwan Hazim Dermawan at 21years of age was the youngest skipper to take to sea at the recently-concluded Asian Match Racing Championship in Pulau Duyong, Terengganu but that didn't stop him from winning against more experienced international sailors.

The Johor native and his Taring Pelangi team won five out of their 12 matches despite their lack of experience in the sport. He made his debut in last year's Malaysian Match Racing Championship when he was bowman for the Perak Sailing Team skippered by Nurul Ain Md Isa, who went on to become Champions of MMRC 2008.

Hazwan will skipper Taring Pelangi for the up-coming MMRC, his second chance to get a wildcard entry into the Monsoon Cup 2009, the finale of the nine-leg World Match Racing Tour (WMRT)

But sailing has been in his blood from schooldays when he started with dinghies at 11 years old at Sekolah Kebangsaan Pengkalan TLDM 2, Perak. However, he only started familiarising himself with keel boats two years ago.

“My favourite is keel boat, particularly the F36 because it is easy to handle and I just love match racing,' he said, adding 'Match racing would enable you to see your strength and weaknesses in handling the boat and also it has more team effort rather than one person only. Plus I love the tactical bit of sailing, its fun and challenging at the same time”

'I am at my best and happiest moment when I go sailing,' Hazwan added, saying he tried sports like football but his love for the sea was far more compelling.

The young man said his sailing idol is Australian Keith Swinton who skippers Black Swan Racing and was the AMRC 2008 winner.

Hazwan once raced against Keith Swinton at Monsoon Cup 2008 and would like to race against him again someday.

“I would love to race against him again but I think we need to equip ourselves with more knowledge and skills before we can challenge him,' he said while laughing.

The sailor also hopes to be able to sit in the ISAF ranking like Ben Ainslie and others someday and would like to race in Volvo Ocean race if he is given a chance.

He has previously raced in the Optimist World Championship in 2002 and
2002 and was placed 7th at the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship in Korea and 2nd at the Volvo Youth sailing ISAF World Championship in Singapore.

Hazwan also raced in the Asian Games 2006 in Doha where he was placed 4th in the 420 class.

He said it was his most memorable tournament because Asian Games, Doha had the most number of Malaysian participants.

“When I entered the stadium filled with people, it just gives me more energy to see them cheering for you” Hazwan added.

About the Malaysian Match Racing Championships (MMRC)

Back in 2006, the Monsoon Cup was the first race to have a series of qualifiers to encourage the participation of young, upcoming local sailors in the professional match race scene. Those qualifiers were the Malaysian Match Racing Championship (MMRC) and the Asian Match Racing Championship (AMRC).

From 4 teams at its inception in 2006, the Malaysian Match Racing Championship has now grown to have 12 local teams taking part in this year's event, taking place on 23-26 November 2009.

The winner will be the sole Malaysian representative at the Monsoon Cup, the final and deciding leg of the World Match Race Championships. It is a chance to compete with the world’s top match race sailors and win a prize money.

Malaysian Match Racing Winners:
2006 - Tiffany Koo (MAS) – Team Selangor Gapurna 1
2007 - Tiffany Koo (MAS) – UK Halsey Gapurna
2008 - Nurul Ain Md Isa (MAS) – Perak Sailing Team


About the Asian Match Racing Championships (AMRC)

The Asian Match Racing Championship (AMRC) was held on 9-12 November 2009. Participants of teams from various Asian Yachting Clubs vying for a spot in the Monsoon Cup, which is the final leg of the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT).
At its debut in 2006, the AMRC saw participation from five regional teams, including from Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong, racing in the world-class Pulau Duyong match race circuit, which is also the venue for the Monsoon Cup.
This year has seen a massive increase in interest with over 30 international teams applying for a chance to compete. But only seven selected teams were racing in the AMRC, including two from Malaysia.

Asian Match Racing Championship Winners:
2006 - Adam Minoprio (NZL) – BlackMatch Racing
2007 - Adam Minoprio (NZL) – BlackMatch Racing
2008 - Keith Swinton (AUS) – BlackSwan Racing
2009 – Phil Robertsson (NZL), Team New Zealand WAKA Racing

About The Monsoon Cup
The Monsoon Cup 2005 celebrated its debut as the 50th official event of the Swedish Match Tour (now known as the World Match Racing Tour), and serves as the Malaysian leg for the prestigious international sailing event. This professional sailing series was formed in 2000 to unite the world's best match-race regattas under one banner.
The World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) comprises nine events in nine specially selected locations around the world. As the leading professional sailing series in the world, the Tour events are recognized as must-attend regattas on the match-race circuit.
The Monsoon Cup 2009 will be held at Pulau Duyong, Terengganu, from the 1st to 6th December 2009.
_____________________________________________________________

For information on the World Match Racing Tour:
Yvonne Reid
Tel: +44 (0) 1590 679613
Mob: +44 (0) 7809 149268
E-mail: yreid@f10marketing.com
Website: www.worldmatchracingtour.com

For more information on the Monsoon Cup :
RURRUM Communications Sdn Bhd
Name : Audrey Lakai
Mobile : 012 309 4377
Email: audrey.lakai@rurrum.com