16th Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta - 2005
AY Race Report 5 & Summary

RMSIR AY Race Reports with associated photos can be browsed at: http://asianyachting.com/news/RMIR05.htm

Finally it's all run and done...
The overnight rain lifted and a pleasant 5 to 8 knot breeze allowed stand in Race Officer John Ferguson to fire off two races in succession for the Racing and Cruising classes and complete the program for the Premier and Classic Classes. This now constitutes a series and the drop race can be introduced which could dramatically alter some of the yachts earlier standings in the pointscore.

IRC Racing
Neil Pryde's crew on Hi-Fi Team Pryde put in another two superb performances to rap up the Racing class for the second year in succession. Bill Bremner's Foxy Lady 3 and Robert Knight's DK 46 Drumstick finally made it onto the podium but it was a case off a little to late in proceedings. The Burns/Kinmonth Mandrake held of the charge from Happy Endings to secure second place overall. A three way tye for the 3rd podium position was broken in favour of Bill Bremner's Foxy Lady 3 and Jonathan Mahony's Happy Endings ended up losing out and being relegated to 5th overall.

IRC Premier Cruising
Peter Cremer's Shahtoosh rebounded after a bad race to Langkawi to successfully defend last years title with a resounding victory today. Despite a bad start Andrew Findlay's Impiana managed a second but had to hand the overall lead back to Shartoosh. Geoffrey Hill's Aussie team on Struth have consistently scored third place to end up in 3rd place overall.

IRC Cruising 3
David Lindahl's La Samudra Swan pedigree came to the fore today by winning both races to regain the overall lead and sail away with the Cruising class title. Graham Lind's Sumatra stayed in the points with a 2nd and 3rd to sneak into 2nd place overall. Fatimi Afendi's Janji fell of the pace today after scoring two earlier wins to finish up 3rd overall.

Cruising 3a
David Lindahl's La Samudra stays at the top of the leaderboard and Keith Garry's Beaux Esprits put in a couple of good performances to capture 2nd place. Heinz Heyer's BMW Continental Tyres Super Duper stayed up with the leaders to fill third overall.

Cruising 3b
Two firsts for Graham Lind's Singaporean Sumatra sees them leapfrog Fatimi Afendi's Janji and relegate them to 2nd overall on the last day of racing. Neil Ankcorn's Mat Salleh discarded the first race disqualification and by scoring a 4th and 2nd today sees them elevated to 3rd place overall. Gapurna Mas Ayu led by Capt Ariffin did the best of the youth teams to finish up in 4th.

Classic Class
Mohd Hanif skippering Marikh has kept almost a faultless score sheet to clearly rap up the Classic Class. Their Royal Malaysian Navy counterparts on Musytari scored a first today but ended up 2nd overall. Morten Ringvold's Haffiman fell down a place after scoring 3rd today to end up 3rd overall.

Summary
Despite the weather not co-operating on a few occasions which we do not have any control over, the regatta seems to have gone of with out a hitch and enjoyed by all participants. The social scene and island stop over's provided heaps of entertainment and is what the regatta is all about. The new City Marina and longer stopover in Penang proved to be a welcome addition to the program and good to see Penang back on track in the yachting tourism industry.

The RMSIR format may not be everyone's cup of tea but the past competitors will assure future entrants that it is one of the most challenging and rewarding events on the Asian calendar. If your not sure just ask Neil Pryde how difficult it is to win this event. Neil was also presented with the 2004-05 AY Grand Prix Championships Sailor and Yacht of the Year awards for his achievements last season and from all appearances looks set to take out this years awards by posting wins in the China Coast Regatta and now the RMSIR with his new Hi-Fi. He is ranked amongst the longest serving competitors on the Asian scene and certainly the most successful.

This AY Race Report with associated photos can be browsed at: http://asianyachting.com/news/RMIR05.htm

Full Results at: http://www.rmir.com

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This AY Race Report with associated photos can be browsed at: http://asianyachting.com/news/RMIR05.htm