Despite Datuk Azhar Mansor taking the yachting limelight and sponsorship in Malaysia during his recent circumnavigation, a group of local yachtsman and dedicated yachting expats at the Royal Selangor Yacht Club have been working steadily over the current sailing season to put together a formidable yacht racing team to represent Malaysia. Ready to take on all comers, from all countries during the up and coming (Nov-Dec) S.E.A. Regatta season despite the prevailing economic gloom.

Peter Ahern’s recently launched 50ft racing yacht "YO" spearheads the attack and hopes to cover the big yacht challengers expected from the Philippines, Thailand, Hong Kong or China and as far away as Australia. "YO" was originally built in Pasir Gudang, Johor and has been re-launched after six months of completion works and interior alterations conducted by Eade Boats at the RSYC. Peter’s crew, consists mainly of die-hard expat sailors and boat builders residing in Malaysia and some locals undergoing specialized big yacht training and racing. On her one and only previous regatta outing and shortly after launching late last year, they scored a brilliant second in racing class at the King’s Cup 98 in Phuket, southern Thailand.

No Malaysian racing team would be complete without including the sentimental favorite "Gotcha". Who in the past has often been Malaysia’s only racing class representative. This yacht has a long racing history in SE Asia and has won most of the races on the local regatta scene. Presently being campaigned by the famous Rahim brother’s who scored third overall in racing class at the Singapore Straits Regatta and second on their own Raja Muda International Regatta last year. This was hailed as their best performance by far in racing class since the regatta’s inception 10 years ago. They have been busily training and are keen to continue on their winning ways when the starters gun fires in November.

The arrival of "Matahari" a new Titan 36 from Peter Milner Yachts in Perth, Australia for RSYC Vice Commodore Boon Kee’s and his son Chris has significantly improved Malaysia’s representation and chances in racing class. The high hull form stability and the low center of gravity of this yacht yields a powerful upwind performance while its balance and lightweight displacement provide excellent and controllable downwind speed. Chris and his crew have already shown some remarkable bursts of speed in Port Klang and are working on becoming a fast and competitive race boat for the regatta season that all the family can enjoy.

RSYC Commodore Dato Aziz, better known during his Malaysian representative rugby playing days and winner of the FIRST Kings Cup to be held in Thailand is still actively racing on his present yacht, "Impiana". His intention is to compete on the Singapore Straits to hone the crews skills in preparation to take on the cruising class yachts during the 10th Anniversary Raja Muda International Regatta.

Who better to lead the Malaysian yacht racing team? Dato Aziz and his crew maybe a bit short on height but make up for it in stature and have shown in the past how they can become a tower of sporting strength yeilding a competitive edge. He has decided whilst at the helm of the RSYC to steer her on an active participation series of yacht races with similarly interested people whilst in Malaysia and welcomes all interested sailors to socially enjoying oneself at Malaysia’s premier yacht club.

Although this representative team has been largely self funded by the yacht owners and their crews they are now seeking assistance from product suppliers by endorsements of Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Crews clothing, Telecommunications etc. and for advertising sponsors on new sails to be flown during the regatta series. Organizations interested in actively supporting or sponsoring the Malaysian Yacht Racing Team, so, as our sailors can become the best Asian yachting representative squad for 1999 – 2000 are asked to contact Capt. Marty Rijkuris at Email address: captmarty@asianyachting.com
Handphone in Malaysia: 016 – 2714134
International Dialing: 00 - 6016 - 2714134

Dates of (Nov-Dec) S.E.A. Regatta season

Singapore Straits Regatta 10th Nov – 14th Nov
Raja Muda International Regatta 19th Nov – 27th Nov
LIMA 99 (Langkawi Int. Air & Maritime Show) 29th Nov – 5th Dec King’s Cup – Krabi & Phuket, Thailand 5th Dec – 11th Dec.

Gotcha’s Dimensions

Sail Number: MAL 19
Designer: Bruce FARR 36
Type of Yacht: Bermudan Sloop
Owner: Rahim Brothers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
LOA: 11.00
LWP: 9.63
Beam: 3.45
Weight (empty): 5488
CHS Displacement 6170
DLR: 193
Draft: 2.19
CHS - Channel Handicap System TCF – 1.010

Matahari’s Dimensions

Sail Number: MAL 2000
Designer: Brett Bakewell – White. Titan 36
Type of Yacht: Bermudan Sloop
Owner: Boon Kee and Criss, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
LOA: 10.90
LWP: 9.20
Beam: 3.50
Weight (empty):
CHS Displacement
DLR:
Draft: 2.30
CHS - Channel Handicap System TCF – 1.077

Yo’s Dimensions

Sail Number: MAL 128
Designer: Ian Murray & Assoc. – Pacific 50
Type of Yacht: Bermudan Sloop
Owner: Peter Ahern, Country Heights, Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia.
LOA: 15.23
LWP: 12.70
Beam: 4.16
Weight (empty): 9100
CHS Displacement: 10040
DLR: 137
Draft: 2.74
CHS - Channel Handicap System TCF – 1.231

Impiana’s Dimensions

Sail Number: MAL 3581
Designer: Bruce FARR – Beneatau 45f 5
Type of Yacht: Bermudan Sloop
Owner: Dato Abdul Aziz, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
LOA: 13.70
LWP: 11.40
Beam: 4.25
Weight (empty): 9700
CHS Displacement: 10550
DLR: 198
Draft: 2.15 CHS - Channel Handicap System TCF – 1.082

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