Marching on into the semi finals…Day 2 2012 Malaysian Match Racing Circuit Stage 2 – Pulau Indah, Selangor

Day 2 – 2012 Malaysian Match Racing Circuit

At the end of Round Robin 1, Jeremy Koo (Koo Racing Team) had a clean sheet with five wins and was closely followed by Masyuri Rahmat (Royal Malaysian Navy Match Racing Team 1) whose only loss was to Koo. Hazwan Hazim Dermawan (Permai Hotel Match Racing Team) held third place and newcomer Hadi Busrah (RMNMRT 3) is surprisingly doing better than his Navy counterpart Harisfabillah Muhammad (Royal Malaysian Navy Match Racing Team 2) that found top gear in Lumut. Luck was not on Rizal Mahadi (SetiaWest Marine) side, as on several occasions they led off the line only to make a mistake or earn a penalty and get rolled over. That’s exactly what happened in the last race. After winning the start and leading around the first lap, Mahadi earned a penalty and yielded to Koo. Jokingly the crew admitted “If nothing else we are consistent by loosing every race but our luck is due to change,”

The uncharacteristic South East flow continued for a second day, much to the delight of all concerned. The beginning of Round Robin 2 threw up a few surprises. Jeremy Koo (Koo Racing Team) loosing a race to Harisfabillah Muhammad ((Royal Malaysian Navy Match Racing Team 2) and Rizal Mahadi (SetiaWest Marine) finally breaking the duck by beating Hadi Busrah (Royal Malaysian Navy Match Racing Team 3) by 26 seconds. Coping with the strong outgoing tide and courses set across the river made skippers change tactics especially on the approaches to the rounding marks.

Clashes between the Navy teams are always full of anticipation, with the winner earning bragging rights and rubbing it in long after the racing is over. Presently Masyuri Rahmat (RMNMRT 1) continues to dominate with Harisfabillah Muhammad ((RMNMRT 2) finding form and taking on Hadi Busrah (RMNMRT 3) for the elusive fourth spot.

To finish Round Robin 2 the course was shortened to one lap races and completed in the allotted time frame. Race weary crews fronted back on shore to have their destiny determined. Jeremy Koo (Koo Racing Team) tops the score sheet with 9 wins and 1 loss. Masyuri Rahmat (RMNMRT 1) is second with a 7-2 score line. Hazwan Hazim Dermawan (Permai Hotel Match Racing Team) finished with 6-4 and Harisfabillah Muhammad ((Royal Malaysian Navy Match Racing Team 2) stepped up to the plate today with 4-6 to complete the four semi finalists.

Tomorrow we kick off with the Semi Final and the winners go through to the Final. The losers contest the Petit Final to determine 3rd and 4th places.

Story by AsianYachting.com.