7th Royal Langkawi International Regatta 2009
AY Race Report 4

Back to the daily grind
After yesterdays spectacular tour around the islands it was back to grinding out the results over three windward / leeward courses that were specially requested by the racing class. It may seem strange to an outsider to increase the number of races but when consideration is given to what it takes for owners to muster top crews and put together professional racing campaigns, it stands to reason that sailors at this level want to go out and race there boats to the max. It must be noted that the race committee have been very accommodating to the sailors demands and ready to experiment with different suggestions to keep the regatta running smoothly and conform to world class standards expected from them. History has shown that successful events need to evolve over time.

Once again only seconds separated the podium places. Ray Roberts DK46 Quantum Racing hung on in to claim two wins by a matter of seconds and Frank Pong's R/P 75 Jelik triumphed in the third race as the fresh morning breeze began to fade. With a 2-3-3 scoreline Neil Pryde's Welbourne 52 Hi-Fi took a tumble down to third overall as Jelik's 3,2,1 score puts them on a charge and taken over second overall. That leaves Ray Roberts Quantum Racing on the top with a four point advantage with two races left to race. By no means unbeatable but certainly within the comfort zone.

Two first places for Anthony Hastings Beneteau 53 Baby Tonga 99 Degrees East has them coming back into contention but holding onto two seventh places when they retired earlier in the week may seem an awesome task to achieve. Two second places for Stuart Williamson's Beneteau 34.7 Skandia Endeavour of Whitby keeps them firmly on the top of the scoreboard and will have to do something drastically wrong to give up this winning position. Although Niels Degenkolw IOR 3/4 Ton Phoenix scored two third places today they have been relegated to third overall by the charging Baby Tonga.

Third and first places for Mike Van Zyl's 24ft Jandi skippered by James Hardie gives them a four point overall lead, in a three boat class and a stranglehold on the IRC 1 classs trophy. Although Alan Rimington's 32ft Atlantis Star triumphed in Race 6, it's a case of coming a little to late in proceedings but sure puts a smile on the faces of the Penang Swimming Club members. Two second places for Jan Matthews Sunsail 35 brings them a bit closer to Atlantis Star in the overall stakes but with only one race to go may have to settle on third overall.

It was Longtze 3- Chrisargo skippered by Thomas Annica and Singapore's SMU skippered by Zijie Lim turn to stand on top of the podium and improve there overall standings. Adding a second place in Race 6 elevates SMU to second overall as the Royal Malaysian Navy Navy 1 skippered by Mohd Masyuri Rahmat is slipping down the order to be tied on points with SMU. Third and second places for Gaetan Verhegee's Longtze 2 - Exocet keeps them on the top of the table and as only three points separate them from SMU they need to avoid any slipup's in the final race tomorrow. A change in the individual class order with SMU going to the fore and tied with Navy 1 on top of the Platu 25 table with Gaetan Verhegee's Longtze 2 - Exocet still leading the Longtze Class.

In the Club Cruising Class Keith Garry's 41ft BeauX Esprits completed a double whammy by winning Race 5 and after dropping the retirement 7th place they go directly to the top of the pointscore. Second place for Christopher Kingsley-Smith 41ft Amandla Star and third place for Des Kearns/Jerry Boelens 46ft Bad Habits has them tied on nine points and will have to fight it out for second and third overall.

In the Multihull class seven wins in a row for Bob Brindley's Whiteheavan 11.8 Xcatriot not only gives them a clean sheet but raps up the series with a day to go. Tim Milner's 33ft Seekronghuk rebounded with two second places to secure second overall. After a troublesome week Bill Webb's 41ft Out of the Bag had further damage to the steering system forcing them to retire for the day.

Sailor Chick of the Regatta competition
She may be pieced with rings and have shells and bead lacings but Mia Gillow has learned to helm a yacht and has crewed on some to the top racing boats in South East Asia. She can also take some darn good photos in her spare time so for diligently taking the helm on Keith Garry's 41ft BeauX Esprits in the Club Cruising Class we have entered Mia into the Sailor Chick of the Regatta competition. Welcome aboard! The prize for the overall winner is a free pair of AY Gloves which will be announced after the event when the Photo Gallery is posted

The final showdown is scheduled on Bass Harbour tomorrow and we would personally like to wish the contestants the best of luck!

More RLIR 2009 news and results can be found at: http://www.langkawiregatta.com

Goto RLIR09 Photo Gallery Here...

Online AY Race Reports with photos can be accessed from:
Race Report 5 & Summary: http://asianyachting.com/news/RLIR09/5.htm
Race Report 3: http://asianyachting.com/news/RLIR09/3.htm
Race Report 2: http://asianyachting.com/news/RLIR09/2.htm
Race Report 1: http://asianyachting.com/news/RLIR09/1.htm
Pre-Race Report: http://asianyachting.com/news/RLIR09/0.htm

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