Trying conditions continue...

17:11:09 There was no let up in the blustery stormy conditions. The racing class starts had to be delayed as the wave action on the beach in front of the Seaview Resort made it almost impossible to get out to the moored yachts. When racing did get underway, 20 knot Westerly rain squalls were recorded for half the race and then it dissipated leaving the crews struggling in less than 5 knots of wind and a lumpy 2 meter swell shaking the wind out of the sails. Welcome relief arrived with the land breeze which propelled the yachts for the remaining miles to the finish.

The Racing Class started last but in the brisk conditions did not take long to sail through the fleet. Frank Pong's Reichel-Pugh 75ft Boracay Jelik III with all 20 crew members sitting on the rail in foul weather gear made the most of the close hauled conditions and resumed the line honours role. Snapping on his heels, Neil Pryde's Welbourne 52 Hi Fi and Ray Roberts TP 52 Evolution Racing were never far apart and closely followed by the other TP52's. When the wind changed over Hi Fi was in the most favourable position and came from behind to snatch victory, much to Roberts displeasure. After handicaps have been applied Hi Fi takes first place, Evolution Racing in second and Boracay Jelik III held onto their time to secure third spot.

The heavy going suited the big yachts in the Premier Cruising Class. Hans Rahmann's Judel/Vrolijk 70 Yasooda charged on ahead to post their second first and fastest in a row. Last years winner Antony Hastings Beneteau 53 Baby Tonga stepped up to the plate to score second place. Dr Ian Nicolson's Dubois 80 Intrigue is enjoying the strong winds and stays on the podium for third place. It is quite a sight to behold these big yachts charging on through the sea swell.

The longer waterline length on Jon Wardill's Cassidy 55 Australian Maid helped them score the daily double over the smaller IRC 3 counterparts. Although Ben Copley Club Swan 42 Katsu finished a little over an hour behind Aussie Maid, they have done enough to secure second place. The Malaysian Armed Forces Farr 520 Zuhal skippered by Khairudeen got over their race one disappointment and rebounded with third place.

David Ross must of had the pedal to the metal on his new Kerr 32 Kukukerchu as they finished well over an hour in front of the next IRC 4 boat and ran away with first and fastest on their second outing in anger. Stuart Williamson's Beneteau 34.7 Skandia EOW stayed on the pace but suffered dramatically in the light spots and still managed to score second place. Vincent Chan's Titan 36 AC Law Mata Hari came to the fore and survived the wind direction changes to slot into third place.

The non-IRC Cruising classes 5 & 6 started one hour earlier this time and made the most of fresh conditions. Once again Rod Heikell's Skylax sailed most of the race and motored the least to claim first place. David Mellefont on Wind Quest overcame his Race 1 relegation to claim second place this time. With a combination of sailing and motoring John Greenwood's Tzigane slotted into third place.

In Class 6 after being deprived of first place in Race 1 for not making the declaration in time, the Malaysian Armed Forces Contessa 34 Musytari skippered by Norhafisam romped it home in Race 2. Barry Wickett's Kay Sira stayed solid all day in the fresh conditions and managed to sail through the light airs to finish up in second place. Malcolm Elliott's Peterson 46 Coup de Soleil put in an impressive performance in the early stages but suffered in the light to ease back into third place.

Next up is the trishaw racing at Tanjong City Marina this afternoon. Racing resumes tomorrow with the Multihull Class joining in for two harbour races followed by the prize giving dinner party at the beautiful Khoo Kongsi clan house in Penang.

More info on the 20th Raja Muda Selangor Int. Regatta at: http://www.rmsir.com

Goto AY Race Report 6 & Summary
AY Race Report 5
AY Race Report 4
AY Race Report 3
AY Race Report 1
AY Pre-Regatta Report
Multihull Revival at 20th RMSIR 09

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