The Racing Yacht Club is pleased to announce that the fourth Asean Regatta will take place at Admiral Marina, Port Dickson, near Kuala Lumpar in Malaysia from 22 to 26 October 2003.
The aim is to hold a high profile 4-day event that meets the demands of top-level keelboats and serious racing sailors in the South East Asia region each year.
This regatta has quickly attracted a very competitive fleet by focusing on providing international standard yacht racing. Many of the top racing yachts in the region have already confirmed or expressed keen interest in competing ithis year.
They include a Farr 36 and Mills 46, two new designs from highly regarded race boat builders DK Yachts, Pla Loma a modified Reichel Pugh, Pasaya and Jativa both Farr 40 One Designs, Yo! a Murray Burns Dovell 50', Luna Nuova a Sydney 46, Mandrake a 50 Mills Design, Hi Fidelity a Hugh Welbourn 46, Stella a Sydney 38, Panic!, Gotcha, Hocus Pocus, Piccolo and Foxy Lady.
This year for the first time there will be a Sportsboat Class, that is expected to compliment the racing class. There will be more up dates on this new class in future press releases.Courses will be back-to-back windward/leeward and a 20 to 30 mile day race in the Straits of Malacca.
The race area will be approximately 4 miles directly west of Admiral Marina. As experienced in previous years this is an excellent area with good 12 and 18 knot winds, uninterrupted by headlands, hills and other obstacles with the current even throughout the race area.
Race management in past years has earned this regatta a reputation of being run at a very high standard and for the fourth year Mr Chris Kelly a professional in international race management and coaching from Australia will again be the Race Officer.
The regatta is also scheduled to attract visiting boats on their way to the other well-known events like the Raja Muda and Kings Cup.
Being first up on the annual Asian Yachting Regatta calendar each year the Asean Regatta is an excellent opportunity to see how the regions' most competitive boats line up against each other and for crew to hone their skills before continuing on to other events. For boats wishing to compete in the Raja Muda there is a 2-week gap between events.
Admiral Marina will provide free berthing to all competitors for the duration of the event. This five star marina and resort features individual pontoons, water, electricity, storage, bars, a restaurant, swimming pool, tennis courts and many other amenities which will make life a breeze for participants and friends during the regatta.
Port Dickson is located one hours drive from the capital Kuala Lumpur and 40 minutes drive from the KL International Airport (KLIA). There is an abundance of all standards of accommodation available and regatta organizers will shortly post a list of special rates for competitors.