Raja Muda International Regatta

Pulau Pangkor has hosted the Raja Muda International Regatta yacht race which started at November 18 2005 in Port Klang at the Royal Selangor Yacht Club. The yachts sail via Pangkor and Penang to Langkawi.

The race is organized by RSYC in conjunction with the Malaysian Yachting Association. The field is divided in 5 classes, following the international guidelines of the ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing 2005-2008 (see for details: http://www.rmir.com)

I arrived at in the morning of the 20th November at Pasir Bogak with a pretty view. In between Pangkor Laut and Pasir Bogak there were already several yachts anchored. Not all of the yachts had arrived yet. Some of the yachts actually would arrive only in the evening when the heavy rains disturbed the party given at the Sea View hotel.

The boats on the coast of Pulau Pangkor

In fact, some boats are slower then others and even though they start earlier. The Raja Muda International Regatta race between Klang and Pangkor took some yachts about 9 to 10 hours while the some of the slower ones took 19 to 21 hours.

On Monday morning the sailors prepared themselves for the second leg of the Raja Muda International Regatta race which leaded them to Penang. It took a while before all boats, 31 all together where ready but at 1.30 pm, everyone was out on the south point of Pangkor Laut.

I had the pleasure to enjoy the start from a boat. It was a magic site, the boats sailing around, finding the best position for the start. Although I don't know much about sailing, never even have sailed myself I know beauty when I see it.

Hard working at the boat, everybody wants to win their category

One by one the classes started and sailed out of my sight. Until next year, when the 17th edition of the Raja Muda International Regatta will again come to Pangkor. Hopefully then with more boats and many spectators. It's a great view to see those beautiful boats.

This year there were boats from Asia, Australia, even from Scotland. The Malaysian Navy had their own boats in the race although unfortunately one of them had to give up due to technical problems as far as I understood. Some of the boats had even what some call "joy riders", family and/or friends with them. The event, although a race underlines the character of the race, it has to be fun for everybody.

Whilst some of the yachts contained a small crew, 2 to 5 people, some of the bigger yachts had more then 20 people hard working on winning the race.

The boats continued to Penang, which is about 6-9 hours sailing. You can follow the race, and the results: on website of Raja Muda International Regatta.

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