The latest edition of the Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta (RMSIR), Southeast Asia’s most challenging sailing event, is now open for registration.
The Royal Selangor Yacht Club (RSYC) has announced that the 29th RMSIR will run from 16 to 24 November 2018 and retain the regular course along Malaysia’s west coast.
This world-class event will see participating boats push onwards from the start point at Port Klang and make their way – via the Straits of Malacca – to the various checkpoints at the islands of Pangkor, Penang and Langkawi in an attempt to win the prestigious Raja Muda Cup, among other prizes.
RMSIR veteran Jerry Rollin will return as the Principal Race Office overseeing race management while Malaysia’s Leonard Chin will head the International Jury. This year’s event will continue to use the Yellow Brick (YB) Yacht Tracking system – introduced last year – for live tracking overnight passage races from Port Klang to Pangkor, then Penang and finally Langkawi.
The RMSIR is organised annually by the RSYC in association with the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) and the Malaysia Sailing Association; assisted by the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) and Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN). The RMP’s Marine Police play an instrumental role in escorting the boats out to the starting points and back to the finish line in the whole regatta.
Tourism Malaysia and Selangor Tourism have returned as main sponsors, along with container port Westports Malaysia and Scottish whisky brand Old Pulteney. Other sponsors include the Port Klang Authority and the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA).
“Unpredictable winds and varying weather conditions have helped make the RMSIR a contest of sailing skills in the region. Although the event has experienced reasonably consistent yet variable winds over the recent years, sailors can always expect elements of surprise,” said Jeff Harris, chairman of the RMSIR committee.
“Last year’s event saw several close races for the various class titles and we expect many of the regular participants to return for another shot at winning some silverware. We are pleased to welcome our sponsors, Principal Race Officer and jury head back to the RMSIR,and look forward to welcoming new boats to the event,” he added.
The RSYC recently released its Notice of Race for the RMSIR – this year’s event will offer six event classes which will start from Port Klang, as well as an additional multihull class that will start from Penang.There are also Early Bird deals for those who register by 1 October 2017 at www.rmsir.com – SY Prime Factor, skippered by Max Palleschi, is the first entrant to sign up.
DATE ACTIVITY
17 November 2018 Start of Race – races from Port Klang to Pangkor
19 November 2018 Races from Pangkor to Penang
20 November 2018 Rickshaw races at Straits Quay, Tanjung Tokong, Penang
21 November 2018 Inshore races in Penang Harbour
22 November 2018 Races from Penang to Kuah, Langkawi
23 November 2018 Inshore Races at Kuah Harbour, Langkawi
24 November 2018 Final Inshore Races in Langkawi at Kuah Harbour /Awards
The RMSIR was established in 1990 by the RSYC’s Royal Patron, the Sultan of Selangor HRH Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah (who was then Raja Muda Selangor) together with Dato’ Johan Ariff and Jonathon Muhiudeen.
Yachts competing in the regatta range from top class IRC1 racers to beautiful classic cruisers with long overhangs dating back over 100 years. Skippers and crew will have to cope with the unpredictable weather, changing tactics and heavy shipping traffic in the Straits of Malacca, all of which make the regatta a matchless experience.
Known for its unpredictable winds, weather and tide, the RMSIR provides excitement for even the most experienced of sailors, along with an interesting challenge. Add to that a little bit of sightseeing and fun social events at every stop and you have a regatta with everything.
The month of November typically marks the height of the northeast monsoon on Peninsular Malaysia where sailors can expect anything from glassy waters and light breeze to a sea heaving with two metres of swell or higher and 30 knot squalls blowing off the coast. In other words, these northeast monsoon months bring conditions that are challenging enough even for seasoned sailors.
