Inaugural KFC Putrajaya Regatta 2008
AY Race Report 2

Goto Photo Gallery

Everyone has a chance to sail on Putrajaya...
As the wind was up the race committee where keen to get racing underway they fired off the two remaining dinghy races in quick succession. The Radio Controlled fleet also made the most of the fresh conditions and a full day of racing was completed.

The dark rain clouds looked threatening all day and finally hit the race course just as the inaugural VIP and Sponsors keelboat race got underway. This did not deter them and a lap of the lake was completed in blustery wet conditions. Despite being over the start line early and returning Miri Magic 1 helmed by Capt Marty quickly made amends and caught up with the other three boats. As they approached the downwind mark Miri Magic helmed by Commander Malik was forced to luff Putrajaya's Streamline 7.1m helmed by Tan Sri Samsudin Osman. This left the door open for Miri Magic 1 to nip inside and round the mark first. A short dash to the finish line saw Miri Magic 1 hold off the dueling boats despite them applying significant pressure all the way to the finish.

The DK Yachts Laser 2000 helmed by Khairul Shahril had an exciting ride as the storm approached exceeding 20 knots of boatspeed but as they took time to recover their composure from the spinnaker wrap and almost capsized trailed the bigger more powerful keelboats around the course. When handicaps where applied it was Putrajaya's Streamline 7.1m helmed by Tan Sri Samsudin Osman that came out on top, just edging the two Miri Magic's on corrected time. After all it is not the result that matters but the general enjoyment for the VIP's and Sponsors that have never experienced a full blown yacht race before.

Judging by the events success the organising committee have decided to make this regatta an annual event on the Malaysian Yachting Association's - KFC National Ranking Circuit. It certainly brings a new dimension to sailing in Malaysia and added exposure for the sport right in center of the often stormy political scene. Huge amounts of investment have been ploughed into building the lake with two exclusive boat clubs and extensive marine facilities which are very under utilized. During this event the Kelab Tasik committee have undergone a steep learning curve and gained enough confidence to go on and organise further sailing and water sports events on the lake.

In the dinghy classes the podium places where shared between the local state associations, Singaporean and Hong Kong sailors. The constant flow of spectators where amazed to see the fearless young kids piloting the Optimists around the course on their own. Some only weighing in at 30 kilos wringing wet. All in all a good time was had and everyone is looking forward to further events in the not to distant future.

Goto Photo Gallery at: http://asianyachting.com/photos/photo.htm?Putrajaya08

Final Results for the Optimist Class can be found below

Inaugural KFC Putrajaya Regatta 2008
AY Race Report 1

There is a first time for everything...
One hundred and fifty sailors graced Putrajaya Lake in front of the new Malaysian administrative capital for the very first time. The Malaysian Yachting Association (MYA) have graded the event as part of there Kentucky Fried Chicken - KFC National Ranking Circuit which ensures competitive and quality racing for all classes and participants. School holidays in Hong Kong and Japan sees thirteen competitors sailing under the Hebe Haven Yacht Club banner and eighteen Singaporean's mainly involved with the Radio Controlled sailboats. Many firsts are being notched up at this inaugural event. It's the first time a combined Radio Controlled fleet have come together in Asia and AsianYachting had the pleasure of taking the President & Event Chairman Tan Sri Samsudin Osman for the first ever full blown keelboat ride on the 650 acre lake.

With seventy four boats the Optimists are the biggest fleet by far and all the state sailing associations are represented here. The Laser Class is divided into Standard, Radial and 4.7 classes with the SEA Games 07 gold medal winner and Asian Games podium finishers amidst the ranks. The International 470 and 420 classes are growing in popularity as sailors are teaming up after there Optimist days are over and encouraged to continue on with the sport. The disabled sailors have a course of there own and eight Access dinghies are contesting for the title which will be a good warm up for the ones lucky enough to qualify for the Para-Olympic Games in China.

Twelve to fifteen knots of breeze, at times gusting up to twenty with a afternoon storm brewing in the background kept the sailors on the lake for the full day. Judging by the number of protests being lodged at race control after racing, the close quarters racing did not go with out incidents. It may well be late into the night before the dust settles and final result is known.

A full bout of races will be conducted on the last day of racing and final results will be posted here by the next day.

Many years ago when I found out that the then Prime Minister Mahathir was interested in sailing, I vowed that some day I will have the pleasure of taking him for a sail. Although we came close to it on a couple of occasions for some reason or another it never came about. As patron of Kelab Tasik in Putrajaya it has been rumored that he will be making an appearance on the final day and if he feels up to it, we would dearly like to oblige in appreciation for the past government making huge strides in putting new pleasure boating infrastructure in place and providing better public access to the waterways. People familiar with developments in SE Asian sailing circles would all agree that this has been a tremendous achievement going into the future.

Safe and happy sailing
Capt. Marty Rijkuris

News Release
Presently we are in the process of transporting our two Miri Magic 8m sportsboats up to the Putrajaya Water Sport Recreation Complex and take a blast around the lake in the heart of Malaysia's new Federal capital city. Over 150 dinghy (Optimist, Laser Std, Laser Radial, Int 420) including disabled classes are expected to contest the inaugural KFC Putrajaya Regatta this coming weekend (11 -13 July). AsianYachting have been given the task of entertaining the VIP's and sponsors by taking them on joy rides to witness the dinghy racing action from a sailors point of view. As Putrajaya provides spectacular photography opportunities with the new parliament buildings and numerous bridges in the background (It's a bit like the Alice in Wonderland movie) plus the four sponsor/advertising spots (Below) have all been taken up by the events major sponsors, we have decided to generate some AY Race Reports to commemorate this inaugural event. You can expect to find further improvements in the race coverage template and email delivery system during the event as Putrajaya is also the center of cyber activities in Malaysia.

Safe and happy sailing
Capt. Marty Rijkuris