Jeremy in Race to Win and End Women’s Dominance!

by Rurrum on 24 Nov 2009 Pulau Duyong, 24 November 2009 - Since its inception in 2006, the winner for the Malaysian Match Racing Championships (MMRC) have been monopolised by women sailors.

Tiffany Koo, Jeremy’s younger sister won it in 2006 and 2007 while in 2008 it was won by Nurul Ain. Today marks the first day of the fourth chapter with 13 teams vying for one spot in the main event – 2009 Monsoon Cup - from Dec 1-6 at Ri-Yaz Heritage Marina.
This time around, there are also two women skippers – Nuru Elia Anuar (Team Sail Putrajaya) and Nazreen Abdul Ghani, nicknamed Ayin (Asian Yachting Team).

The men sailors however, will be facing two challenges - to win MMRC and to break the monopoly of the women sailors.
Jeremy Koo, skipper of the Koo Racing Team – AC Law, said “It was time to end the dominance of the fairer sex!”.

“My young sister Tiffany won it twice in 2006 and 2007 followed by Nurul Ain (Perak Sailing Team) last year, and I hope to not only try and win the MMRC but also end the women’s stranglehold on this event,” said Jeremy, who won the gold medal for Malaysia in the 2001 Asian Sailing Championship in Pusan, Korea. He was also the champion in the Bytes World Championship in 2002.

A fulltime sailor based in Hong Kong and participating in most championships in Asia like the King’s Cup, President’s Cup, Street Regatta, Subic-Manila Race, Royal Langkawi International Regatta and so forth, Jeremy claimed that both Nurul Elia and Ayin are not n the same mould as the former women winners – Tiffany Khoo and Nurul Ain Md Isa.

Interestingly, Jeremy has imparted some knowledge on sailing to both Nurul Elia and Ayin some years ago.
“Come what may, my team is ready to go for a win and in the process end the women’s run of winning title,” said Jeremy, who made a deal with Tiffany that she participate in another tournament elsewhere while he comes here to make his mark in MMRC to continue putting his family name on the winners’ list.
“My team has experience, muscles, skills and brains and if we are able use the right match application, I see no reason why we cannot come out winners this year.”
He said the course is a bit short but it is very challenging – shifting winds, rain, strong undercurrents and depth.

“We are really enjoying it out here and real looking forward to gaining the final berth available to the Monsoon Cup,” Jeremy said.

For more information or media registration to access high resolution images go to www.monsooncup.com.my

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 13 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.

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.
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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 Malaysian Match Racing Championships/Monsoon Cup :
RURRUM Communications Sdn Bhd
Name : Audrey Lakai
Mobile : 012 309 4377
Email: audrey.lakai@rurrum.com