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Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) yachts Zuhrah and Zuhal that would be used by the navy teams during the Royal Langkawi International Regatta (RLIR) scheduled from Jan 8 to 15 next year, have decided to arrive early to prepare for the prestigious sailing event.

TLDM Sailing Association President Capt. Mohd Halim Saad said both the yachts which set sail from the TLDM base in Lumut on Oct 2, would conduct their trainings at the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club for two months.

“The early arrival of the yachts is to give the sailors ample time to prepare and be acclimatized with the sea and wind conditions in the competition area,” he told Bernama here on Monday.

Mohd Halim said TLDM’s main target and objective for the RLIR 2010 was to wrest the title in the Sportboat category that was won by Zuhal in the 2006 edition.

“I am satisfied with the efforts and determination shown by the sailors of both teams and it will not be an impossible task for Zuhal or Zuhrah to be on the winning podium of the regatta,” he said.

In the 2009 edition, Quantum Racing from Australia won the Sportboat category title.

Mohd Halim said Zuhrah and Zuhal would only be competing in the International Regatta Class 3 competition of the RLIR 2010 because the sailors in the teams lack exposure in high level competitive sailing regattas.

“In Malaysia we have only two sailing regattas that Zuhrah and Zuhal compete, namely the RLIR and the Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta (RMSIR), compared with six to nine regattas participated by professional sailing teams,” he said.

– BERNAMA

he Royal Langkawi International Regatta (RLIR) has spurred development of the maritime industry in the island resort, Royal Langkawi Yacht Club (RLYC) senior manager Abdul Rahman Mahani said.

He said the regatta which gathers 30-40 yachts from all over the world had created many business opportunities to Malaysian maritime industry players.

“Most yacht owners participating in RLIR took the oportunity to repair their yachts in Langkawi as it has several repair centres which offer a whole range of services.

“The low fees charged by RLYC also encouraged the foreigners to spend more time in Langkawi. Our fees are lower than those in Singapore, Philippines, Thailand and Hong Kong,” he told Bernama here on Sunday.

Abdul Rahman said since its inception in 2003, RLIR had strong support from government agencies and the private sector but added at least RM 1.5 million was needed to organise a bigger regatta.

“We hope more Malaysian corporations will become official sponsors as they can become icons of a world-class regatta.

“Malaysia can take the cue from the United States where a watch company has become the official sponsor of an international regatta,” he said.

The annual RLIR will be held from Jan 8-15 next year.

– BERNAMA