Following an exhilarating first day of sailing, an eventful prize-giving evening, and the grand commencement of the 21st Royal Langkawi Regatta 2025, the competitive spirit was at an all time high as participants set out on a windy journey for Race Day 2.
The day’s races took place offshore, southeast of Langkawi, about six miles from the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club. By 9.45 am, the start pin and rounding buoy were set amidst occasional swells and choppy waters, setting the stage for another thrilling day of competition.
Morning winds ranged from 9 to 16 knots, with a direction between 060° and 070°. While the swell and big waves posed challenges for some of the smaller vessels, all boats successfully completed two races. Simon James, the Principal Race Officer, skillfully balanced the number of races with a commitment to crew safety.
Race Highlights by Class
Racing Class:
Kevin Whitcraft’s Vayu overcame earlier technical issues to take the lead, surpassing Rolf Heemskerk’s The Next Factor. Nick Burns’ Blitz claimed third place.
IRC 1 Class:
Kazuki Kihara’s Char Chan made a strong performance, coming in first place overall, with Vincent Chan’s Mata Hari and Maksim Lisun’s Uminoko securing second and third places overall.
PSC-IRC 2 Class:
Phoenix, skippered by Niels Degenkolw, claimed first in Race 3 and second in Race 4, earning the top spot overall. Telaga Sail99 – UMT Racing Team, helmed by Ku Anas Ku Zamil, showed impressive teamwork, climbing from fourth in Race 3 to first in Race 4, securing second place overall.
Multihull Class:
Dougal Jackson’s Haruki took first in Race 3 and second in Race 4, maintaining the overall lead. John Newnham’s Twin Sharks won Race 4 and finished second overall, with David Liddell’s WOW in third place.
Club Class:
Mohd Azhar’s Dash dominated with two first-place finishes, followed by Ilya Strakh’s Wind of Change. Wan Fadli Wan Ahmad’s Marikh edged out Selwyn Enoch’s Suraya to secure third place.
Sports Boat Class:
The RSYC Racing Team, led by Rizal Mahadi, delivered a flawless performance, taking first place in both Race 4 and Race 5 to retain their overall lead. Navy 2, helmed by Asmawi Azman, secured second place after an impressive comeback in Race 5.
After a challenging day battling strong winds and waves, sailors are likely resting up for another competitive day against the stunning backdrop of the Langkawi archipelago.
