Harbour races, to determine overall placing's
By AsianYachting Multimedia
22nd Nov 2019: As all the yachts finished early, on the Penang to Langkawi passage race, the Bass Harbour races went ahead, at the scheduled time of 1400hrs, to give crews time for some rest and recuperation. IRC 3 and Cruising classes were sent down the harbour, on courses that included rounding limestone islands, in the picturesque geo-park and a delight for the photographers. IRC 1 and the Multihull classes continued on with two windward/leeward races near Kua town. Very overcast to begin with a light North Easterly, that swung around to the East and faded for a while, when the yachts closed into the shadow of the islands. Only to return when the clouds lifted and sunshine came streaming in, for the return leg back up the harbour. Everyone is either trying to improve their standings or staying in front of the pack on the remaining races, that require a different skill set and design of boat. Check out the AY Photo Gallery

The big IRC Racing boats had a chance to stretch their legs and do what they do best, on up and down courses. Two line honours for Ray Roberts TP52 Team Hollywood and share the handicap victories with Sarab Singh's Welbourn 52 Windsikher II is enough for Team Hollywood to take over 2nd overall from Windsikher II. Despite scoring two 3rd places, Rolf Heemskerk's Farr 40 The Next Factor, maintains the overall lead by six points and by juggling the places has Team Hollywood and Windsikher II narrowing in on the remaining podium places, but which one?

Although Geoff Hill's Smith 72 Antipodes had a go, stop affair around the islands, they finished 27 minutes in front of Doug Sallis' Hanse 575 Colie across the line. But when the IRC ratings were applied, Colie came out in front and in doing so, breaks the points tie, by one point for the Premier Cruising title and all to play for tomorrow.

HH The Raja Muda Of Selangor, skippering the Beneteau 44.7 Fujin, led down the harbour and first to enter the island rounding stage. But the fleet concertinaed in the lee of the islands and Simon Piff's Lauranus L34 Rainbow Dream made the most of it, with a symmetric spinnaker, sailing down the middle of the channel. Upon escaping the clutches of the islands, the breeze increased and helped them move briskly back up the harbour.

Although Fujin were first to cross the finish line, the damage was already done, as Piff's Rainbow Dream claimed the handicap honours and the overall leader of the IRC 3 class, with one day to go. The Raja Muda ended up in 2nd place and John Kara's Beneteau First 45 Insanity in 3rd. Damaging the spinnaker on the Rahim brothers J 92S Nijinsky, left them in 5th place and handing the overall lead to Rainbow Dream, plus narrowing into one point in front of Fujin and a possibility of being bumped down to 3rd overall.

The two Cruising Class rivals over the years, Rama's Dehler 34 V.G.Offshore and Chris Mitchell's Naut 40 Lady Bubbly, led down the harbour with Lady Bubbly taking a slight lead heading into the island lottery. Although only a few minutes separated them at the finish, Mitchell's Lady Bubbly claimed the daily double and extended his overall lead. Second place for Rama's V.G.Offshore lifts them to 3rd overall but will have to perform well tomorrow as there is several boats within striking distance. Third place for Lucas van Maarschalkerweerd's X-342 Minx, keeps them comfortably in 2nd overall and barring anything going wrong, securing a podium place.

After a crushing blow yesterday on the race from Penang, the defending Classic Class champion, Royal Malaysian Armed Forces Contessa 32OD Marikh skippered by Hasani Hassan, were back up to speed, to take the daily double and extend their overall lead, plus wrap up the title, with one day to spare. Second place for Shah Azlan's Westerly Storm 33 Tofan improves their overall ranking, to a three way tie on 15 points, with David McKeown's classic Stow 78 Rona and Dato Richard Curtis 100 year old Bristol cutter Eveline for 2nd overall and fighting over the silver and bronze medals.

Although the handicaps bring Norma Noordin skippering the Lightwave 38 Out Of The Blue II, with the Port Klang Sea Scouts onboard and Pete Waa's Stealth 11.8m Java, closer together at the end of the race, Waa's Java has racked up 5 wins in a row and the Multihull title, with a day to spare. It's not always about winning, as all the Sea Scouts are happy for the experience and on a steep learning curve into the future.

Still one day to go, on what seems, to be a never ending challenge. A combination of windward/leeward and passage races, followed by the final gala dinner and prize presentation, with the Sultan and Raja Muda of Selangor present. Then dancing the night away to celebrate the 30th edition in fine style.

More info and results on the Raja Muda Selangor Int. Regatta

Goto AY Photo Gallery
AY Race Report 6 & Summary
AY Race Report 4
AY Race Report 3
AY Race Report 2
AY Race Report 1
AY Pre-Regatta Report

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