Fancy competitive sailing in a tropical environment? Need a change from sailing in Europe, the Mediterranean or the Caribbean? Up for a sunny regatta during that long winterstop?
Come racing in Asia!
Probably the most well known regatta is the Phuket King's Cup, this year's 20th edition is held from December 2nd till December 9th. But just prior to that the 17th RajaMuda Selangor International Regatta, shortly RajaMuda, takes place in Malaysia. This is the favorit amongst many sailors in the region, let me try to explain you why!
The RajaMuda is a very tactically challenging event with a unique format that takes you right through the legendary Straits of Melakka along Malaysia's West Coast to the Langkawi Island group (99 tropical islands just South of the border with Thailand).
The opening of the regatta takes place in the well designed Royal Selangor Yacht Club, which is a 45 minute drive from Malaysia's hip capital city "Kuala Lumpur". The club is a 1,5 hour easy drive from Malaysia's International Airport (KLIA).
The regatta starts with a 80nm passage race to Pangkor Island. The outcome of this leg is allways full of surprises and appears to come down to who spotted the weather first. In many cases it works to sail this leg under the clouds, the outher edges of tropical showers. After the finishline all yachts will stay overnight in a beautifull bay. A prizegiving party, incl. food and drinks, will be held on the beach. And for the fresh sea food lovers the island offers many delicacies. On the other side of the bay, one will find the Pangkor Laut resort, a world famous island resort that welcomes people like Pavarotti and Madonna as well as sailors in need of a massage, spa, relaxation etc.
The second leg takes you from Pangkor Island to Penang Island, approximately 65 nmiles. Yet again a very challenging leg as one could experience two different current patterns in this part of the Melakka Straits. Inshore or ofshore...that's the question?
Penang Island is known for its ethnical diversity which is reflected in its culinairy traditions. Delicious Penang food such as Satay (Indonesian origins), Kow Teow (Chinese origins), Roti Chennai (Indian/Arabian origins) and Laksa (Pure Malaysian).
The prizegiving party will be held in the truly stunning colonial style Eastern & Oriental hotel, where all participants will receive a taste of the above mentioned dishes and more.
One day extra will be spend in Penang to race windward-leeward's before the fleet takes off for the overnight leg to the Langkawi Island Group. This race of about 55nmiles is allways a fun one, manoeuvring through those tricky fishing nets on the way, everybody wants to get to the bar of the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club as soon as they can! Arriving in Langkawi is so beautiful, to diffecult for me to describe that.
Another day of windward-leeward races amongst the islands, watch those windshadows!, finishes off the sailing part of the RajaMuda. The final prizegiving party is well known and well enjoyed as a true happening, with food, drinks, music, fireworks and remarkable guests!
The regatta attracts a lot of local, regional as well as international media coverage, both print and broadcast.
Yachts in the fleet will be ranging from antique classic boats, to super-de-luxe cruising yachts, sport boats such as mumm's and racing yachts designed by Farr, Puch/Reichel, Sydney Yachts to name a few.
Should you be interested to compete in the 2006 edition of the RajaMuda Selangor International Regatta, either as a team (charter) or individually, contact: saskia06@seasas.com
The Asian Yachting Circuit, a series of premier racing events in South East Asia and Hong Kong comprises of the following regatta's:
The RajaMuda Selangor International Regatta
The Phuket King's Cup
The Singapore Straits Regatta
The China Sea Race | 
