RLIR 2024 – Highlight OF The Day
Day 1 – 16 January 2024 – This very popular regatta, one of the biggest in South East Asia, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Today is the first racing day and we welcome 32 registered boats from 12 countries and 240 crew members at the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club, a big increase from last year’s numbers. The boats will compete in 6 classes in a maximum of 10 races over a period of 5 days from January 16-20, 2024.
The wind forecast for this week is looking favorable, starting with 8-10 knots today on the course at 8.40 am. And indeed it was an ideal morning for racing. Slightly overcast with fair winds blowing from the east northeast at around 15 knots with some stronger gusts.
The CEO of Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Haslina binti Abdul Hamid flagged off the first day’s race on the start boat at 9.39 am.
Two races were successfully completed by early afternoon. A third race was initially scheduled but the wind suddenly changed coming from all over the place. That is when Simon James, the Principal Race Officer for 18 years at the Royal Langkawi International Regatta, decided to call the day. So all boats went back to their berths at the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club after the second race.
As anticipated, the first timer X40 catamaran “Parabellum” is achieving astonishing speed, is spectacular to watch, and there will surely be more to report about this Multihull over the next few days.
The today’s winner in the racing class was ‘Witchcraft’ skippered by Nick Burns followed by ‘The Next Factor’ helmed by Rolf Heemskerk.
‘Char Chan’ topped the table in the IRC 1 class winning both races followed by ‘Mata Hari’.
The first place in the IRC 2 class went to ‘The Blue Angel’ helmed by Jeremy Camps and Sergei Musikhin secured the second place with ‘Wind of Change’.
The RSYC team took the honours in the Sports boat class and ”Twin Sharks” in the Multihull class despite Parabellum’s astounding speed. Last but not least, the Club class winner today was ‘Kimikimi’ skippered by James Duke.
An excellent first regatta racing day was enjoyed by sailors from all over the world participating in this very special race. The crews now look forward to the opening ceremony and first day prize presentation at the poolside of the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club this evening.
