2011 Malaysian Match Racing Championship

Day 3 - AY Race Report

PULAU DUYONG (OCT 9th): Seven teams started in the competition and after two Round Robin's, three teams go home and four teams proceed into the semi finals. This is no place for the feint hearted, or teams learning to sail or make up the numbers, as the cruel nature of match racing will quickly have them heading out the door. The weather forecast improved so PRO David Tallis set about the task of completing the six remaining flights of Round Robin 2 and rather ambitiously the first round of the semi final by days end.

The early arrival of the sea breeze saw racing get away in high spirits, as all the teams have improved and know this maybe the last chance to show their true colours. Yesterday we finished up with Masyuri Rahmat (Malaysian Armed Forces 2) on top of the leaderboard. Followed by Mohd Romzi (UPM Sailing Team), Jeremy Koo (Abdullah Chan / KRT) and Hazwan Hazim Dermawan (Permai Hotel Match Racing Team) all tied on 5 -2. In the wash up, at the top of the order each team has lost at least one match against each other which speaks volumes for the level of competition. PRO David Tallis commented “There are not many easy matches out there with 4 or 5 all vying for the top spot. The matches are being won and lost by very small mistakes.” There is little doubt the level of competition has increased dramatically from previous years with the extra effort the teams are putting in to training and exposure to top level match racing experts like North U master Bill Gladstone is paying dividends.

The remaining six flights saw significant movements up and down the order. Defending champions Jeremy Koo (Abdullah Chan / KRT) made a clean sweep of all their races to take over the top of the leaderboard. After a disappointing start to the regatta Hazwan Hazim Dermawan (Permai Hotel Match Racing Team) came through undefeated yesterday and kept up the momentum today to eventually end up in second place. After loosing three matches Masyuri Rahmat (Malaysian Armed Forces 2) fell off the top perch but stayed in the running with third place. Newcomer Mohd Romzi (UPM Sailing Team) run of good fortune faltered a bit as they lost against Masyuri and Koo but still ended up in the top four to go through to the semi finals.

Other notable match ups saw Mohd Afendy (Team Afendy) claim the scalp of Nurul Ain Md. Isa (Ri-Yaz Heritage Sailing Team) and post their only win in the round robins. Afendy may also have set some sort of record for incurring the most penalties at any match racing event in the world.

Mohd. Zaidi (Malaysian Armed Forces 1) must be commended for putting up a good fight and keeping the others honest at every turn.

Coming together at the last moment Nurul Ain Md. Isa (Ri-Yaz Heritage Sailing Team) have not disappointed and with a bit more practice could go on to be a force to be reckoned with.

Finishing on the top of the pack gave Jeremy the chance to pick his opponent and surprisingly Masyuri got the opportunity for the best of three semi final. That left Hazwan and Romzi to face off in the other semi final. Boat draws were made and the teams headed out for the the first race, to end the day. Jeremy Koo continued his dominance to take the first race and Romzi piled on the pressure in the pre-start to rattle Hazwan and comfortably claim the win.

Racing continues tomorrow with the best of 3 semi finals and the winners will advance to the Grand Final and ultimately to represent Malaysia in the Monsoon Cup next month.

Scoreboard
Jeremy Koo (Abdullah Chan / KRT) 10 - 2
Hazwan Hazim Dermawan (Permai Hotel Match Racing Team) 9 - 3
Masyuri Rahmat (MAF 2) 8 - 4
Mohd Romzi (UPM Sailing Team) 7 - 5
Nurul Ain Md. Isa (Ri-Yaz Heritage Sailing Team) 4 - 8
Mohd. Zaidi (Malaysian Armed Forces 1) 3 - 9
Mohd Afendy (Team Afendy) 1 - 11

Semi Final
Jeremy Koo (Abdullah Chan / KRT) 1 - 0
Masyuri Rahmat (MAF 2) 0 - 1
Mohd Romzi (UPM Sailing Team) 1 - 0
Hazwan Hazim Dermawan (Permai Hotel Match Racing Team) 0 - 1

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