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| HISTORY & ORIGINS OF THE RAJA MUDA SELANGOR INTERNATIONAL REGATTA |
 The
Regatta was launched in 1990 as a sequel to five annual offshore
series which linked 3 of the most popular tourist island groups
to the west of peninsular Malaysia – Pangkor, Penang and
Langkawi. Yachtsmen from Royal Selangor Yacht Club in Port Klang
had evolved these races over a number of years, and enjoyed
the challenge of combining seamanship, navigation and local
knowledge with the joy of sailing and competing.
The first regatta comprised just 2 long races, from Port Klang
to Pangkor, and from Penang to Langkawi, with a leisurely cruise
from Pangkor to Penang and some lively social events interspersed
– even an informal fishing competition. Many of the competitors
lobbied for some harbour races to be added and in 1991 triangle
races were staged off Penang and Langkawi. The fleet was enhanced
in 1991-2 by the addition of boats from the Europa Round-the-World
Rally. In 1992 it was decided to race from Pangkor to Penang
in addition to the established legs, with the best 2 of 3 races
counting towards the competition for the Raja Muda Cup. The
triangle races at that time were scored separately, with suitable
trophies being awarded.
Recognising the popularity of the Phuket King's Cup Regatta,
established a few years before RMIR, the decision was taken
to link the 2 events via a Langkawi-Phuket Race, thereby providing
16 days of sailing and social gatherings along the coast. The
event was gaining interest beyond local waters, with yachts
being shipped or sailed from farther afield – Australia,
Philippines, Hong Kong – and some of them like Dr John
Wardill's redoubtable Australian Maid have become synonymous
with RMIR, competing almost every year since its inception.
The popular format has remained largely unchanged to the present
time. In 2000, the Penang triangle was dropped in favour of
2 days harbour racing in Langkawi, due to the lack of suitable
secure berths in Penang, and the creation of a beautiful new
marina at Royal Langkawi Yacht Club. But with the construction
of a new marina underway in Penang, the extended stop-over will
be re-considered for future regattas, as Penang remains one
of the most popular runs ashore in Malaysia. |
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