Sailors were treated to favorable conditions on the fourth day of the Royal Langkawi International Regatta 2025, with steady winds gusting at 12 to 16 knots. Principal Race Officer (PRO), Simon James capitalized on the breezy start, scheduling the highly anticipated ‘Around the Island’ courses, which pushed competitors to their limits. These routes, featuring Courses 21 and 22, brought a refreshing twist to the standings as the wind shifted between 055° and 060°.
The action began early, with mark boats leaving the marina at 6.45 am. Starting from Gate 1, the course led them past Pulau Singa Besar, Pulau Beras Basah, Pulau Intan Besar, and Pulau Intan Kecil before looping back through the finish gates. Sailors had two options for race times, ensuring flexibility and optimal competition conditions.
Incident Report
A dramatic moment unfolded when Boreas, a catamaran from Phuket, capsized in high winds, flipping 180 degrees. The crew was swiftly rescued, and the boat was towed ashore for repairs. According to the skipper, the sudden gusts made it nearly impossible to maintain balance before the incident. The quick response from ATM Sailing Team (Uranus), race officials and the rescue teams ensured everyone’s safety, allowing the races to proceed smoothly.
Race Highlights by Class
In the Racing Class, Nick Burns’ Blitz delivered a standout performance, claiming the top spot for Race Day 4. Close behind was Rolf Heemskerk’s The Next Factor, which showed impressive speed and coordination to secure second place. Noppakao Poonphat’s Vayu, though a dominant contender earlier in the regatta, settled for third in today’s race.
The IRC 1 Class saw Vincent Chan’s Mata Hari claim victory with a sharp display of tactics and teamwork. Lee Yin Min’s Team Jolt pushed hard and managed to secure the second spot, while Steve Manning’s Red Rum One navigated skillfully to take third place in the standings.
In the PSC-IRC 2 Class, Niels Degenkolw’s Phoenix continued its winning streak, grabbing first place with a commanding lead. Jeremy Camps’ The Blue Angel followed as a strong second, while Telaga Sail99– UMT Racing Team, helmed by Ku Anas Ku Zamil, maintained their consistency to claim third.
The Multihull Class brought plenty of excitement, with Dougal Jackson’s Haruki emerging as the day’s top performer. David Liddell’s WOW kept the pressure on, finishing in second place, while John Newnham’s Twin Sharks added another solid performance to their regatta campaign by taking third. Despite Haruki and WOW grabbing the top spots, the incident with Boreas added an unexpected twist to the day’s events.
In the Club Class, Selwyn Enoch’s Suraya demonstrated exceptional speed and strength in the occasional gust, securing first place. Wan Fadli’s Marikh followed closely, capitalizing on favorable conditions to finish second. Onisama Sailing Racing, skippered by MinZhi Feng, rounded out the top three.
Finally, the Sports Boat Class was once again dominated by the RSYC Racing Team, who clinched first place. Mohd Akiyuddin’s Navy 1 secured second, and Asmawi Azman’s Navy 2 held onto third.
Day 4 proved to be as exhilarating as it was challenging, with shifting conditions testing every sailor’s mettle. The fleet now looks ahead to the final stretch, where strategy, speed, and a little bit of luck will ultimately determine the regatta’s champions.
