Royal Langkawi International Regatta 2012 – Race Report 4

Royal Langkawi International Regatta 2012 – Race Report 4

Winning crews make the least mistakes…
By AsianYachting MultiMedia

During the media conference Marcus Blackmore shared a few secrets to the Hooligan teams success. Never to old to learn, Marcus engaged Mike Fletcher, one of Australia’s leading sailing coaches to meld him and the crew into a champion team. The coaches most memorable quote was “The crew that makes the least mistakes normally wins the yacht race” is firmly etched in his mind. After analyzing each race, usually it comes down to getting a good start in clear air, choosing the right side of the course, taking advantage of wind shifts, sail selection, boat handling and equipment failure that will determine the result. By minimizing the errors and maximizing good decision making will always win the day.

The crews left the marina with heavy overcast sky and drizzling rain to make their way to the outside race area. Fortunately there was 10-12 knots of breeze which allowed PRO Simon James to set up windward/leeward courses for most the classes and get them away on time. All the crews were keen on improving their present standings, some a little to anxious as six boats were recalled for being over the start line as the horn sounded. First mistake for committing the cardinal sin. As the breeze dropped below seven knots it becomes imperative to get the rest of the decisions right.

Proving his theory correct Marcus Blackmore guided the TP52 Hooligan around the course to claim his sixth win out of seven races. At the start of Race 8, Frank Pong’s 75ft Reichel Pugh Jelik II, Neil Pryde’s Welbourn 52 Hi Fi and the Malaysian Armed Forces DK47 Uranus skippered by Mohamad Razali were all over the start line and lost precious time coming back to restart. As the breeze dropped and changed direction Neil Pryde’s Hi Fi made a brilliant recovery and claimed the daily double on the shortened course in front of Blackmore’s Hooligan and Mohamad Razal’s Uranus. With the possibility of two races on the final day tomorrow, it will take an almighty catastrophe to stop Blackmore’s Hooligan from taking home the title on their first attempt.

In the IRC 1 class Rick Pointon’s J130 Jing Jing continued on their winning ways and by scoring 1, 2 are getting ready for the victory parade. Vincent Chan’s Titan 36 Mata Hari paid the hefty price for being over the start line in the first race today but rebounded with first place in the shortened second race to give themselves a slim chance tomorrow. Although Robert van Paridon’s Beneteau First 44.7 Tantrum scored two third places today the erratic placing’s leaves them at the bottom of the score sheet. Ben Copley’s Club Swan 42 Katsu failure to convert line honours into handicap wins has left them trailing in third overall.

Disappointed with yesterdays result Niels Degenkolw’s IOR 3/4 Ton Xyacht Phoenix made amends by winning two races today and take back the overall lead. Second and fifth places for Stuart Williamson’s Beneteau 34.7 Skandia Endeavour Of Whitby made them fall from grace at the top of the score sheet but still have a chance of toppling the defending champions tomorrow. After suffering from some breakages in the early races Jeff Harris J 92 S Nijinsky returned in style with third and second to claim third spot in the overall stakes.

In the hotly contested Sportsboat Class, Christopher Lim’s Singapore Management University (SMU) and Mohd. Masyuri B Rahmat’s Malaysian Armed Forces continue to trade blows. Lims SMU claimed the first race but third place in the second race has evened up the score again. A win for Rahmat’s MAF and Khairul Nizam Mohd Afendy Malaysian Yachting Association / KFC sandwiching themselves between the two rivals has bought about the separation needed to take the racing down to the final races tomorrow.

Once again Andrew Stransky’s Fantasia streaked away into the lead and by adding another win to his tally has managed to keep a clean sheet and wrap up the Multihull Class with a day to spare. Second place for Grenville Fordham’s 11.6m Andaman Cabriolet Niña elevates them into second overall but will have to surrender the title they have won two years in a row. A distant fourth place for James Wilding Dufour – Nautitech 475 Mind The Gap drops them to third overall.

Winning the only race for the Club Cruiser Class today, bought Nicholas Smith’s Ericson 38 Free Wind back into contention and within one point of the leader. Second place for Charles Hay’s Jeanneau 45 Smystery is enough to keep them on the top of the table but the final races could produce some nervous moments for them to defend the title. Fourth place for Gavin Welman’s Hallberg-Rassy 53 Rascal left the door open for Free Wind to leap frog them and the pressure is on to improve in the all out final race tomorrow.

Finally all four entries in the Ocean Rover Class made it to the starting line. Datuk Richard Curtis’ 100 year old Bristol Pilot Cutter Eveline came good and put an end to Henning Lenz winning streak on My Toy, who had to settle on second best this time after being upstaged by Eveline. Although Thomas C Gerard’s Terengganu built Warisan Duyong ended in third place they still hold onto second overall as they have competed in all the earlier races.

Tomorrow is the final day of racing which will be held in Kuah Harbour and the number of races for each class is dependant on the weather conditions.

The RLIR 2012 results, news and photos are available at: http://www.langkawiregatta.com.