Normal service has resumed...

12:01:2010 Today the North Easterly returned in strength, so it was safe to go outside the islands and conduct two races for the racers and one for the Club class. A couple of the skippers were a bit to keen to get going and a collision off the start line will result in the International Jury making a ruling. Yesterdays protest between Neil Pryde's Hi Fi and Ray Roberts Evolution Racing resulted in Evolution Racing dropping down the order to fourth spot in Race 2. A similar time penalty is expected to be implemented for today's infringements.

Although Frank Pong's 75ft Jelik III disappeared into the distance to take line honours, it was Neil Pryde's Welbourne 52 Hi Fi that struck gold in the handicap stakes. Ray Roberts TP52 Evolution Racing got tangled with the anchor line at the windward mark, loosing 9 minutes in the process and is seeking redress from the Jury. The crew made a big comeback to overhaul Ishak Jab's Royal Malaysian Navy Farr 520 Zuhal to provisionally slot into third place. The afternoons race was clear of incidents and although the wind faded a little, Ray Roberts Evolution Racing bounced back with first place by the slimmest of margins. Only 51 seconds separated Evolution Racing and Hi Fi and after a series of disappointments keeps Evolution Racing in the running. Frank Pong's line honours favourite Jelik slipped into third place thereby relegating Ishak Jab's Royal Malaysian Navy Farr 520 Zuhal down to fourth place as the fading breeze dashed their hopes of being higher up the order. Three second places and one first place puts Neil Pryde's Hi Fi on the top of the overall scoreboard for the time being.

In Race 3 Ben Copley's Club Swan 42 Katsu added another first and fastest to their tally but dropped to second in Race 4 and still holds the upper hand in the Premier Cruising Class. Vincent Chan's Titan 36 Mata Hari came to the fore in Race 4 and lifted the crews spirits after playing bridesmaid in the earlier races to Katsu. A loud radio call "Over the line" referred to Peter Wintle's Kerr 11.3 Koull Baby, who never recovered after returning to restart and ended up in third spot for all his troubles. All three boats finished within 36 seconds of corrected time so from here on in the rest of the points are for the taking.

In the IRC 1 Class, Jeremy Camps Cabaret 6 from the RSYC made a return to form by winning Race 3 and 2nd place in Race 4 to significantly climb up the points table. Second and first places for Niels Degenkolw IOR 3/4 Ton Xyacht Phoenix gives them a commanding lead after the places have been shared around. Mike Van Zyl's defending champion Jandi skippered by James Hardie has dipped a little since the beginning and third and fourth places sees them dropping down the order. Fourth and third places for Simon Piff's Lavranos 34 Rainbow Dream has them tied on points for third spot with Jandi.

Another day of mixed results sees the five Platu 25 teams juggle around the order in the Sports Boat Class. First and second for Curtis Skinner's Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron improves their standing considerably and takes them provisionally to the top of the pointscore. Second and first places for Christopher Lim's SMU team has them also closing in on the overall rankings. Overnight leader Mohd Razali on Royal Malaysian Navy 1 could only manage two third places which drops them to second overall and more than ever looking at ways to regain some of their earlier form.

In the Under 25 Class, Curtis Skinner from the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron added one win and a second place to their tally and secure the overall lead in this class. Christopher Lim's Singaporean SMU team improved their standing with a second and first place. Shahril Abdul Razak representing the Malaysian Yachting Association has consistently scored third place.

After an overnight dash down from Phuket, Grenville Fordham's Andaman Cabriolet Da Vinci Niña was rewarded with two wins today in the Multihull Class. In their absence Robert Prolux's Vertical Time reigned supreme but had to settle on two second places today and still holds onto the Overall lead. Lacking the speed of the opposition John Danks Blue Moon scored two third places and is presently tied with Da Vinci Niña for second overall.

A resounding bang echoed around the course just after the Club Cruising Class got underway. Jeff Harris Elan 40 Rapscapllion tacked early and could not avoid hitting Morten Ringvold's Haffiman. Despite this incident both boats were able to complete the course although the crash caught them a little by surprise. The Royal Malaysian Navy Marikh skippered by Norhafisam took the honours in the only race today. Provisionally Rapscapllion is in second place and Haffiman in third but this may change when the Jury hands down its decision.

In the Ocean Rovers Jeremy Paul's Astra continued on their winning ways to hold the Overall lead from Gavin Welman's Hallberg Rassy 53 Rascal that scored second place again today. Christian Doering's Ilya slotted into third place and Henning Lenz's 33ft My Toy in fourth place to hold the same respective overall positions.

Racing continues tomorrow with the Round the Island course for all classes. This will be very picturesque as some parts make up the world heritage Geo Park recently bestowed on the islands.

More info and full results at: http://www.langkawiregatta.com

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