BMW - Rebak Champagne Run 2005

Held as a feeder event from Phuket to Langkawi by the BMW Royal Langkawi Int Regatta committee to attract competitors from neighboring Thailand to join the main event latter this week. Six stalwarts of Phuket racing started out from Ao Chalong on the 26th, including the famous 73ft Stormvogel this time skippered by Luke Hancock, colorful Reinhard Haiber's Pytheas Aura, Scott Duncanson's match winning Phuket 8 Somtam Express, Kevin Gillow's King's Cup cruising class winner Minx, Nick Band's well traveled Emerald Blue and Bill Crunp's 55ft Fistral the only cruiser in the fleet. The finish line laid of Rebak Marina in duty free Langkawi, Malaysia where each competitor receives a bottle of Champagne and 2 glasses to celebrate at the prize giving party.

Unfortunately during this post tsunami era when the marina pontoons were completely destroyed (see photos) and having water depth restrictions, the yachts had to finish of Rebak and then proceeded on to berth at the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club marina. However the party that in past years was acclaimed by participants as one of the best on the annual yachting scene was still on as the Rebak Resort is fully operational and certainly lived up to its reputation of fine food and entertainment.

First to finish the 120 nm sprint with a new race record time of a little over 19 hrs was Scott Duncanson's Phuket 8 Somtam Express. They also took handicap honours although taking over 4 hours to complete the last few miles as the breeze died when they closed in on the hilly side of Langkawi.

A close tussle between Stormvogel and Emerald Blue developed during the race and only minutes separated them at the finish with Nick Band's Emerald Blue eventually edging out Stormvogel to take 2nd and 3rd places respectively. All yachts managed to sail the course despite the conditions turning light during the early hours of the morning.

Next its onto the BMW Royal Langkawi Int Regatta from the 1st to 5th March and a large international turn out is already mustering at the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club and completing preparations for Malaysia's premiere yachting event. More info on the BMW - RLIR 05 can be found at www.langkawiregatta.com

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