LANGKAWI, 16 January. – Race Day 4 was another glorious day of sailing at the 13th Royal Langkawi International Regatta. The PRO took the fleet to the West Harbor, setting the Racers, IRC-1, IRC-2, Sportboats and Multihulls on a windward/leeward course, 1.2 miles up the harbor.
The Club Cruisers and Ocean Rovers were sent on up the West coast of Langkawi through some majestic and stunning landscapes. Today, the Ocean Rover Class was split into A and B categories; whereby Group A yachts could fly spinnakers if they wanted but Group B was restricted from using spinnakers.
The windward/leeward yachts in the first race of the day were sent off in a timely manner with onlyOld Pulteney Cabaret 6 in IRC-2 suffering a drawback when she had to return to the start line for poking her nose over too early.
Oi! crossed the line first for the racers followed by Island Fling first in IRC-1, with a thrilling photo-finish with Blue Note, Foxy Lady VI and Fujin coming in seconds apart.
Mata Hari took the horn in IRC-2, and the bright blue spinnaker of Galeforce brought her to finish ahead of the Multihulls Class.
In the Sports Boats category, Siput's two second place finishes in both races today put her crew on the top for the day, sending RSYC Setia West to second spot and SMU to third.
As the wind piped up to 18+, the PRO set the second course and sent the Multihull Class and the Sportboats on another windward/leeward course.
This time RSYC Setia West and RQYSfound themselves too anxious to get away and had to return to the start line for another try. SMU and Siput then put on a remarkable display of another exciting photo-finish doing a 1-2; nose to nose.
The Racing Class, the IRC-1 Class, and the IRC-2 Class were sent out on to the coastal course in a combined start, and following an incredible spinnaker-flying downwind start, Oi! led the way.
Fujin managed to get a wrap in her kite forcing her to spend precious minutes sorting it out whileSansiri Windstar suffered a blown mainsail in the first race and retired to the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club to hopefully race another day.
After a busy day of racing, the provisional results for the day showed Oi! in first place for the Racing Class,Foxy Lady VI securing the top spot in IRC-1, Mata Hari maintaining her lead in IRC-2, RSYC Setia Westholding on to number one for the Sportsboats and 2 Fast 4 You grabbing first in the Multihull Class.
The Club Cruisers and Ocean Rovers had one long race today with Sophia, My Toy and VG Offshoreleading the pack out to the coastal course in a spectacular downwind start.
Sophia's steady run gave her top honors today in the Cruising Class while the newly split Ocean Rovers sawMy Toy take first in Group A and VG Offshoregarnering first for the day in Group B.
The final day of the 13th Royal Langkawi International Regatta will take place tomorrow and if the weather holds we'll experience more exhilarating and challenging international yacht racing.
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