Langkawi Regatta draws 70 entries

LANGKAWI: The BMW Royal Langkawi International Regatta 2004 (RLIR) will be contested from March 3-6 in waters off the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club in Kuah, Langkawi. The organizers say that almost 70 boats from Switzerland, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Brazil, the US, Alaska, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong and Vanuatu have registered to take part. The official closing date for entries has been extended to March 1, and the regatta committee expects many last-minute registrations. Entries may be registered online at https://www.langkawiregatta.com/entryform.shtml Winning Malaysian boats including Yo! and Gotcha Lagi will be back this year while the all-women crew of Dewi Bayu Chimera is also set to return. There will also be a significant challenge from Phuket-based boats, including La Samudra, Emerald Blue, Somtam Express, Cyrene, Charro, Summersalt and Fine Pitch. Three teams of youngsters will also take part, vying for a youth trophy. Two of these will be local Malaysian crews while the third will consist of students from Phuket’s Dulwich International College, with primary sponsorship from the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club. Most of the Phuket yachts will get into trim for the regatta by taking part in the Rebak Champagne Run from Phuket down to Langkawi. Registration and briefing for this will be at the Ao Chalong Yacht Club at 7.30 pm on February 27, with the race starting the following day. Regatta prizes will be presented at the final party on March 6 by Malaysia’s former Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad.