Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta 2011 – welcome aboard

by Guy Nowell, Sail-World Asia on 18 Nov 2011 It’s Raja Muda time again: Asia’s unique regatta that combines passage races up the west coast of Malaysia from Port Klang to Pangkor, Penang and Langkawi, with inshore racing in Penang and Langkawi. Along the way, there’s breakfast with the hornbills at the quaintly scenic Seaview Resort at Pangkor, rickshaw racing at Straits Quay and a near-epic prizegiving party at the splendiferous Khoo Kong Si (Penang), and one of the best Closing Dinners on the calendar at the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club. In the space of just a week…

All together it adds up to what has often been referred to – with plenty of justification - as a ‘marathon’. Staying on the pace with the racing and the socials as well requires substantial reserves of stamina. Out on the water, sailors can expect anything from light breeze to 30 kt squalls rolling off the coast, with added entertainment in the form of fishing nets in coastal waters, not forgetting the ever-shifting sands of the Kra Bank that guard the approach to the Penang finish.

37 boats are registered for this year’s event, with Neil Pryde’s Hi Fi leading the top division with a tilt at a hat-trick of wins. Pryde has won the Raja Muda Cup five times – more than anyone else – including in 2009 and 2010, and is back with the same boat newly-equipped with powered winches and straight off the winner’s podium in last month’s Hong Kong-Vietnam Race. Hot on their heels will be Nick Burns/Fred Kinmonth’s Mills 40, EFG Bank Mandrake. Equally keen to make a point, is the Royal Malaysian Navy’s brand-new-straight-out-of-box DK47, Utarid.

At today’s Skipper’s Briefing, RO Jerry Rollin opened with his well-known direction to 'read the Sailing Instructions. It’s all in there, so you don’t need to listen to anything I say now.' Cdr John Ferguson, who has run the Raja Muda for the last ten years and is now managing the new Straits Quay Marina in Penang, promised 'four pubs, innumerable restaurants, and no particular reason to leave Straits Quay at all.' After last year’s visit to the new Pangkor Marina, this year the fleet will stop over once more at to Pasir Bogok to enjoy the delights of the Seaview Hotel, deep fried eggs, and hornbills hopping around the breakfast table. It’s about as far removed from the Klang River as anyone can imagine.

Tonight the Royal Selangor Yacht Club will welcome, among others, Malaysian Exco member Y B Dr Xavier Chandran, RSYC Commodore Dato Alex Nah and Tourism Malaysia’s Encik Mohd Noor bin Ismail for a Gala Opening Dinner, and tomorrow, 'sailors all, we sail!' Sail-World Asia will be posting updates, stories and photos all the way through the week. Watch this space.

Entry List - Registered Boats – Total 36 as at 1600hrs 18 Nov 2011

Boat Name Owner Skipper Boat Type
Zanzibar Jonathan Mahony Jonathan Mahony Humphreys 42
Utarid Lt Cdr Chin In RMN Mohamad Razali bin Mansor DK 47
Won Ma Rang Tom Whitcraft Tom Whitcraft GP 42
EFG Bank Mandrake Fred Kinmonth/Nick Burns Fred Kinmonth Mills 40
HI FI Neil Pryde Neil Pryde Welbourn 52 Custom
Resolution of Whitby Stuart Williamson John Allen Beneteau Oceanis 52
Silandra V Riccardo Gastone Benoni Riccardo Gastone Benoni Swan 76
Intrigue 80 Dr. Ian H. Nicolson Dr. Ian H. Nicolson
Strongbow Goat Anthony Hastings Fraser Johnston Beneteau First 53FS
Virgo Dato Alex Nah Dato Alex nah 49
Australian Maid Jon Wardill Jon Wardill Cassidy 55
Foxy Lady 5 Bill Bremner Bill Bremner Ker 32
Windsikher Sarab Jeet singh Sarab Jeet singh Sydney 40 Mod
Katsu Ben Copley Ben Copley Club Swan 42
KukuKERchu David Ross David Ross Ker 40
Zuhal Lt.Cdr Chin In RMN Lt.Cdr Chin In RMN Farr 52
Mat Salleh Neil Ankcorn Neil Ankcorn FARR 1104
Leopad Dream JEGA MUNIANDY JEGA MUNIANDY X-342
Nijinski Jeff Harris Jeff Harris J/92S
Skybird John Kara John Kara Dehler
Fortissimo 8 FUDA Yasuto FUDA Yasuto Dehler 38
Aeolus XC Simon Read Simon Read Beneteau 350
Odin Aquacraft Asia Rob Wiiliams Hanse 545e
Panacea RSYC Rizal Sazali Jeanneau
PS Sonny Soh Sonny Soh Hunter 33
Haffiman Morten Ringvold Morten Ringvold Sun Odyssey 37
Millennium 2 Yap Kok Ken Ken Yap Hunter 32
Rascal Gavin Welman Gavin Welman Hallbery Rassy
Kay Sira Barry Wickett Barry Wickett Slipper 42
Chancegger Jose de la Vega Jose de la Vega International 12 Metre
Eveline RICHARD CURTIS TREVOR RICHARDS Bristol Pilot Cutter
Musytari Lt Cdr Chin In RMN Lt Cdr Chin In RMN Contessa 32
Fantasia Andrew Stransky Andrew Stransky Stransky
Miss Saigon David Liddell David Liddell Corsair C37
Sidewinder Alan Carwardine Rolf Heemskerk Stealth 12.6
Davinci David Roberts Bruce Issell Andaman Cabriolet