PRESS RELEASE RACE DAY 4

LANGKAWI, 10 JANUARY 2020 – An overcast start for the fourth day of racing. The PRO Simon James decided to run more harbor racing today and set a number of courses to challenge the contestants and test their sailing skills. Once again wind started at round 15 knots from the north east and although numerous forecasts promised an early demise of the breeze, it stayed remarkably steady and true enabling the Racing, IRC1, IRC2 and Sportboat classes to enjoy three races in the beautiful waters of Kuah Harbour. The Multihull, Club and White-sail classes, including the venerable Classic Challenge class, was given a longer downwind start for their race including rounding the spectacular Pulau Singa Kecil.

The first race of the day saw the warning signal sound at 0939 and the Racing class followed in quick succession by IRC1 and then IRC2 and Sportboats combined who all set off on an upwind course.

THA72 broke the start in the first race but made a very fast turn, around the start boat, and back over the starting line to take second place for this race which was won by Team Hollywood. Team Hollywood had a glorious day winning all three races and taking an unassailable lead in the racing class. It is interesting to note the amazingly narrow difference in corrected times amongst the second, third and fourth participants in the racing class, with only minutes separating them for places.

The IRC1 class displayed some consistent results with Char Chan winning and Mata Hari KL Registry securing second place in all three races. Uminoko took a penalty turn at the start of race 2 after some exuberant tacking at the start put them on collision course with Meraki, fortunately avoided!

The IRC2 and Sportboat classes started together also for three races and there was some very keen competition in these classes with a lot of hustle and bustle at the start of each race. The Platus in particular provided some spectacular maneuvers in the brisk breeze jostling for position. Phoenix starred today winning all three races only seconds on corrected time faster than the second place getter. In race 2 Phoenix was only six seconds ahead of Beihai China!

In the Sportboat class Navy 1 Platu skippered by Mohd Akiyuddin took the honors in all three races.

The Multihulls, Club and White Sail classes all participated in a fast downwind start with some humorous moments when in all the excitement of twelve yachts starting at once, VG Offshore somehow managed to fly their kite upside down! This was quickly corrected and many puns come to mind about the Tack, Head and Clew found asymmetrical spinnakers! Nevertheless VG Offshore managed to gain second place behind Chantique who took both line honors and corrected time victories today.

In their only race today for Multihulls, Fetz Ma prevailed over Allegro. The finish was truly nail-biting with Allegro overtaking Fetz Ma right on the finish-line. The elapsed times were only two seconds apart but Fetz Ma benefitted from their handicap to win the race on corrected time.

Xavier Le Henaff skippering Gwell took first place today in the Classic Challenge class ahead of the 109 year old Eveline.