Langkawi was on full show today as all classes lined up for the ‘Round-the-Islands’ course.
The stunning archipelago, with it’s idyllic coves and beaches, provided a magnificent back-drop for competitors who today were treated to a true taste of sailing in the tropics.
The fleet was split in half, each racing a slightly different course around the archipelago.
The Ocean Rover and Club Classes came into their own today as these more cruising-style boats enjoyed the longer scenic course and the chance to stretch their legs.
A downwind spinnaker-start was set. As boats beared down on the line it was a case of ‘do we or don’t we’ for some, and ‘when to hoist’ for others, as a series of combined starts proved interesting all round.
In the Multihulls, Fantasia got a flyer off the startline and left the rest of the fleet standing. She continued over the horizon to take line honours and first place.
Andaman Cabriolet Nina, enjoyed the stronger winds and lumpy seas to put in a good performance and secure second.
In IRC 2, a tough battle is underway at the top between Phoenix and Skandia Endeavour Of Whitby. Today, Skandia Endeavour Of Whitby took the win on corrected time leaving her on top going into the last two days of racing.
The closely matched Sport Boats found it hard going in the strong winds at lumpy seas but as the winds died later on they started to find their rhythm. A three-way battle on-the-water saw Singapore Management University win and and secure a one point lead in the series over the Malaysian Armed Forces team.
IRC Racing and IRC 1 were a combined start today and while some took a more conservative approach choosing to hoist the spinnaker 100 metres down the track, others went for it on the start gun.
The tables have turned in IRC 1 with Jing Jing putting in another good performance today to take the win and move to the top of the standings.
On corrected time, Mata Hari came second and despite taking line honours, Katsu finished third.
In IRC Racing, Jelik II headed to the left side of the course while rivals Hooligan and Team HiFi took the right. Hooligan and Team HiFi rounded the first mark close together while Jelik II was off over the horizon.
Hooligan got into her grove and despite damage to the grinder, put in a stunning performance to take a first today finishing less than five minutes behind Jelik II on-the-water.
Skippered by Marcus Blackmore, this is Team Hooligan’s first Regatta in Asia.
Racing continues tomorrow off Royal Langkawi Yacht Club.
