Collision Between Fistral and Regolarita Spoils the Day

Langkawi, 5 March 2005 – YO! captured its third consecutive BMW Royal Langkawi International Regatta (RLIR)’s Prime Minister’s Challenge Trophy yesterday but it was nature that stole the thunder, and the biggest talking point of the day was a collision between two yachts.

Choppy waves and wind speeds of up to 21 knots, the highest ever registered in the three-year history of the RLIR, made conditions challenging.

And the collision between Live Aboard category’s British boats Fistral and Regolarita II at the crowded starting line was just the top of a list of mishaps yesterday.

In an attempt to swerve away from a side collision with another yacht, a fast moving Regolarita ran head-on into the port side of Fistral, leaving a gaping hole in the latter, knocking both yachts out of yesterday’s race.

“We just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. There was nothing we could do as we were heading in a straight line and the other boat (Regolarita II) changed direction abruptly to ram into us.

“The damage to Fistral cannot be fixed overnight and we are out of the regatta,” said a disappointed Fistral owner William John Crump.

The race committee declared that Regolarita II was at fault and awarded Fistral average points based on the points she won in her first three races.

Many battle-hardened sailors, including those on board the racing class yachts Yo! and Ulumulu, suffered seasickness.

There was also an Ulumulu crew member who was almost thrown overboard, but only suffered a sprained neck after being saved in the nick of time by boat owner and team director Troy Yaw.

Amidst all the chaos, Yo! won both of yesterday’s races to make it five wins out of five to secure the overall title in the racing class category.

However, the Port Dickson Yacht Club registered yacht also ran into trouble at the start of Race 4 when she was forced to give way to another racing class yacht in order to avoid a collision.

Besides Yo!, the other yachts which secured overall victories yesterday were La Samudra (premier cruising) and Chameleon (multihull racing).