RMSIR 2012 - The excitement never stops

by Shawn Rathgeber on 21 Jun 2012 It’s been a long wait, but in approximately four months yachtsmen from all over the world will gather at the Royal Selangor Yacht Club (RSYC) in Port Klang to participate in Malaysia’s oldest keelboat sporting event, the Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta (RMSIR).

Now in its 23rd year, the regatta has attracted a loyal band of followers who turn up year after year, often with bigger and better boats each time. They come from Hong Kong, Australia, Thailand, Singapore and further afield, with crews representing 24 nationalities. Teams are made up of both professional and non-professional sailors, with the latter being the majority.

The offshore keelboat race organised by the RSYC, in association with the Royal Ocean Racing Club, will take place from 16 to 24 November comprising a total of 240 miles with stops on the unique tropical islands of Pangkor, Penang and Langkawi. Founded in 1990, the recurring annual event is a mix of overnight passages and harbour races, while not falling short of social events such as luscious dinners, convivial parties and, of course, the legendary Rickshaw Race in Penang. Indeed, there will be lots of opportunities to socialise and according to participants from past RMSIRs onshore activities can be just as demanding as the sailing.

Yachts competing will range from top class IRC1 racers to beautiful classic cruisers with long overhangs dating back over 100 years. Skippers and crew will have to cope with the unpredictable weather, changing tactics and heavy shipping traffic in the Straits of Malacca, making the regatta a matchless experience. To be sure, the month of November typically marks the height of the northeast monsoon on Peninsular Malaysia where sailors can expect anything from glassy waters and light breeze to a sea heaving with two metres of swell or higher and 30 knot squalls blowing off the coast. In other words, these northeast monsoon months bring conditions that are challenging enough even for seasoned sailors.

The island hopping regatta will commence in Port Klang, a town located just 42 kilometres from the county’s capital Kuala Lumpur. The capital is not only the financial centre of Malaysia, but also a unique city for tourism that offers iconic attractions, bustling entertainment and shopping facilities. Here crews can do some sightseeing prior to departing on the first overnight passage to the scenic tropical island of Pangkor situated approximately 90 miles north of Port Klang.

Pangkor, with its charming mix of fishing settlements and resorts, will then welcome the sailors in the modern Pangkor Marina where tired crew can simply enjoy the fine beaches and resort amenities to recuperate from the first leg. A highlight for many skippers is a visit to the world renowned resort of Pangkor Laut located on a separate privately-owned island nearby. Described by many as a hidden gem, Pangkor Laut boasts magnificent beaches, stunning views over infinity pools and stilted accommodation over the water. A combination of luxury, natural beauty and age-old wilderness woven together produce an environment of tranquillity where sailors can relax before the second offshore passage race which leads up to Penang goes underway.

In Penang, the fleet will berth at the newly installed Straits Quay Marina which offers a comprehensive mix of retail outlets and attractions – from boutiques to bistros, seafood restaurants to seaside cafes, a promenade, a performing arts centre, coupled with spectacular views of the Andaman Sea at its doorstep and a clear sight of the historical George Town skyline. Some skippers reportedly never left the beautiful marina as it truly provides all the facilities and provisions visiting yachties would require, including four frivolous bars! For those wishing to get off their boats and explore a bit, the island of Penang is a fascinating fusion of the East and West. The island embraces modernity while retaining its traditions and old world colonial charm. These are reflected in its harmonious well-preserved heritage buildings which led to George Town being accorded a listing as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site recently.

After one or two days of harbour racing - depending on local conditions - in Penang, the fleet will set sail for the shortest of the offshore legs, a quick 55 mile sprint up to Langkawi. The last stop of the event is an archipelago made up of more than 100 islands surrounded by turquoise sea, with shorelines fringed by powder-fine sand and swaying coconut trees. The interior of the main island is a mixture of picturesque paddy fields and jungle-clad hills. Yachts will be greeted at the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club, a world-class 200 berth marina situated on the southeast corner of Langkawi island close to the island's main town, Kuah. Here sailors can also cart off duty-free alcohol, cigarettes and chocolate, while nature-lovers can enjoy the island’s excellent diving opportunities and discover a treasure trove of tropical gems.

Eight days of racing always end with an evening social on the terrace of the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club, against a spectacular backdrop of the sun setting over surrounding islands. With speeches and prize giving out of the way, the real party starts on the dance floor. Crews banter about final results and taking each other on at the Kings Cup in Thailand, the next event in the Asian circuit. For long time competitors and first timers alike, taking part in the RMSIR brings a true sense of achievement.

Internationally acclaimed sailors such as Frank Pong, Neil Pryde, Ray Roberts and Nick Burns are among former RMSIR winners who regularly enter their state of the art racing yachts, with professional crews to trim sails and grind winches. Dr Jon Wardill has lost count of the times he has competed in his Cassidy 55 Australian Maid, and there are Singapore and Hong Kong based sailors who claim close to 100 percent participation. Club sailors are also well represented in the seven entry classes. A unique aspect of the RMSIR is that local crews represent a microcosm of Malaysian society, with the same interesting ethnic mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian and Expat members.

Since its inception, the RMSIR has progressively evolved into what may well be the region´s most exciting sailing event of the year. The Regatta Patron, His Royal Highness the Sultan of Selangor, has continued to support the event both on and off the water, and enjoys meeting and greeting the competing sailors each year, as well as presenting the magnificent Raja Muda Cup. The RSYC welcomes all competitors to join the Regatta, whether sailing the most modern racing yacht, or a stately classic vessel, and wishes you all fair winds.