Malaysian sailors take it to the next level
12
Nov 2006: Pt Dickson , Malaysia.
Thirty
new sailors received their course completion certificates from Tn. Hj.
Mohd Saleh B Hj. Ghazali the director of the Negri Sembilan state Youth
and Sports Department after successfully attending a three day theory
and practical sailing course for the southern zone, run by the state sailing
association together with the national Malaysian Yachting Association.
Not only did they have the opportunity to learn to rig and sail on lasers
and 420 dinghy's but for the first time experience the pleasures of sailing
on a sporty little 8m keelboat. Being based in Pt Dickson AsianYachting
was called on to use our new multi purpose Miri
Magic to give them a taste of what keelboat racing is all
about. Ever since the Doha
Asian Games 2006 introduced keelboat racing and ISAF
reintroduced the Nations
Cup match racing event, that state sailing associations and
national sports department have become interested in keelboat racing.
Previously they concentrated only on the Optimist and International dinghy
classes that would have a chance of earning them a medal at the International
level, SEA and Asian Games.
Last
years Monsoon
Cup was a real eye opener and all the media hype that comes
with hosting a Grade 1 event increased awareness of sailing sports and
showed there is something beyond racing olympic dinghy classes. This year
Tiffany
Koo and her Team Selangor Gapurna
1 won the inaugural Malaysian
Match Racing Championship and Kiwi Adam
Minoprio's team the Asian
Match Racing Championship to gain entry into the Monsoon
Cup and participate in a round of the prestigious World
Match Racing Championship.
Malaysian
Youth and Sport Minister Datuk Azalina Othman's recent announcement that
five sailing academies costing RM100 million (more than US$27 million)
will be built in Terengganu, Johor, Pahang, Sabah and Sarawak come as
a result of the Malaysian governments efforts to produce sailors of world-class
standard. Although other established sailing states seem to have missed
out on this valuable contribution they are never the less moving ahead
and plan to form their own keelboat racing teams to contest next years
Malaysian
Match Racing Championship and garner further experience by
competing at other big boat regatta's in the region. The Royal Selangor
Yacht Club have announced a full all Malaysian youth crew to line-up for
the Racing Class on the 17th
Raja Muda Selangor Regatta, which begins off the waters of
Port Klang next Saturday.
Malaysia now has three major regatta's each year. The classic Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta starting in six days time, the Royal Langkawi International Regatta held in February and the recent Borneo International Yachting Challenge between Labuan and Miri, Sarawak over in East Malaysia. The state Tourism organisations seize the opportunity to promote their attractions and the Youth and Sports Departments embrace the chance to encourage outdoor recreation activities especially amongst the youth. By setting simple, achievable goals and using well-structured Instructional Courses it is possible to learn the basics of sailing in a weekend. The practical sailing side is initially designed to gain confidence to take control of a sailing yacht as quickly as possible and over time develop further competence by building onto these basic principles. The beauty of yachting is that it develops one's own character, teamwork, volunteerism, generates new friendships and above all, is deemed a worthy contribution to life.
See slideshow of MYA-NS Training Course images at... http://asianyachting.com/photos/photo.htm?MYA-NStraining
A
hive of activity at Admiral Marina, Pt Dickson...
With the arrival of forty to fifty sailing yachts over the last week participating
on the SailAsia
Rally between Singapore and Langkawi, their first stop in
Malaysia being Admiral Marina in Port Dickson has experienced unprecedented
numbers of arrivals and departures. Almost a full house! Even the GM was
seen running up and down the docks helping to tie up the boats last Saturday
and Sunday. Tours have been arranged to historic cultural sites in Negri
Sembilan, shopping trips to KL, barbeque welcome dinners and even some
batik painting and beach volleyball for the sailors to participate in
throughout the week. This event is a continuation of Sail
Indonesia that started in Darwin during July where nearly
100 yachts departed Australia for a three month cruise through Indonesia
and will finish in Langkawi for the inaugural Langkawi
International Boat Exhibition (LIBEX).
Also
busy in Pt Dickson are the disabled sailors that are in training for the
ninth Far
East and South Pacific Games from Nov 25 - Dec 3rd. This
year will feature 19 sports in four categories of disability and a total
of 4,000 athletes from 62 countries are expected to compete. The sailing
competition will be held using Access 2.3 and Access Liberty classes were
strong opposition is expected from Singapore, Australia and NZ.
Looking
for a late racing charter for the 20th Phuket King's Cup?
If you have left it till the last minute the 8m
Miri Magic could be all yours for the 20th
King's Cup in Phuket. If enough small boats enter the Racing
Class, organisers have promised a IRC Racing Class B with its own Kings
Cup to be awarded. Alternatively the Sportsboat Class is another option
were on its debut at the King's
Cup 2004 as the Buzz 8 she made a clean sweep, 5-zip over
a formidable line-up of Mumm 30's, Phuket 8's and Platu 25's. For more
details on this incredible 8m all rounder goto: http://asianyachting.com/AYmasters/Promotion/Runnels8.htm
of if chartering her tickles your fancy email: info@asianyachting.com
to negotiate a deal.
AsianYachting
Ventures Sdn. Bhd. (Co.
No. 627106-T)
A 308 PD Perdana Condo Resort, Jln Pantai, 71050, Pt Dickson, Malaysia
Tel: 6 06 6477701 Email: info@asianyachting.com
Welcome to the Wonderful World of Yachting at http://AsianYachting.com