Raja Muda 25th Anniversary Edition
by Jeffrey Harris on 29 Apr 2014
Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta 2013. Langkawi Inshore Races. Racing in the shadow of Gunung Machincang. Guy Nowell / RMSIR
An active information and publicity campaign is underway to ensure a large number of entries from a wide range of boats. Skippers are encouraged to register their interest early, as this helps us with detailed event planning. The Race Officer, Jerry Rollin, and Organising Committee are contributing new ideas to ensure that sailors get some of the best racing experienced to date off the west coast of Malaysia. Among other proposals are revised courses for slower yachts to ensure that they arrive earlier at the end of passage races.
25 remarkable years have passed since HRH the Raja Muda of Selangor and a few RSYC members decided to start a regatta from Port Klang, partly to attract crews heading north to Thailand to participate in the King's Cup. The event achieved instant success, with 66 boats lining up on the start line in the second edition in 1991. The addition of 20 boats from the 1991-1992 Europa Round the World rally helped swell the numbers. Wet Express, skippered by Roger Eastham, was the Raja Muda Cup winner that year. RMSIR continues to enjoy active royal patronage, and the organisers have been informed that HRH the Sultan of Selangor and HH the Raja Muda of Selangor are keen to sail this year and to be involved in prize giving ceremonies.
RMSIR conducted a web based survey after the 2013 event and thanks go to all the competitors who took time to give their opinions on various aspects of the event. Their feedback is invaluable, and will help with planning the best possible regatta in the future. RMSIR will continue to develop and change, with different venues and courses under discussion for future years.
For the 25th Anniversary, the decision has been made once again to gather boats pre-start at Pulau Indah Marina in Port Klang, as this facility offers safe berthing in a clean environment for a large number of boats. Transport arrangements on land and water will be improved so that getting to and from this rather remote marina will be easier than in 2013. The catering WILL IMPROVE! Venues in Pangkor and Penang will be similar to previous years and RMSIR will return to the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club for berthing and social events on Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd November. Inshore racing is scheduled to take place in Kuah Harbour, with a possible 'round the island’ race for some classes.
RMSIR podium places are wide open. The Race Committee were delighted to see Bill Bremner and his crew lift the Raja Muda Cup in 2013, after trying hard for 10 years in various versions of his 'Foxy Lady.' Good luck for the 25th, Bill. We know that you will be back with the intention of doing it again!
See the regatta web site for further details of RMSIR 2014 as the year progresses, and for links to register your interest.
www.rmsir.com
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