Regatta format..

Established in 1990, it is Malaysia’s oldest keelboat sailing regatta and one of the region’s premier sailing events, ranking alongside Thailand’s Phuket King’s Cup and Hong Kong’s China Coast Regatta and China Sea Race. The only other sailing event in Malaysia of any stature is the 5 year old Royal Langkawi International Regatta. The "Raja Muda" is also one of the very few true offshore passage racing regattas in the region, the others being Australia’s Sydney to Hobart and various coastal races, and Hong Kong’s China Sea/San Fernando and Vietnam/ Hainan races.

The Regatta takes place each November over the course of 9 days, and is timed to finish a week prior to the Phuket King’s Cup, as many yachts compete in both events. The RMSIR opens in Port Klang on Friday with a welcome party where the Regatta Patron, HRH Sultan of Selangor and/or another VIP such as the Minister of Tourism presents plaques and welcomes the participants. On Saturday morning the yachts, watched by the media, race 80+ miles overnight to Pangkor to arrive by Sunday morning. That evening there is a beachside prizegiving party attended by local Perak officials.

On Monday at midday the yachts race overnight to Penang to arrive there on the Tuesday morning. In the afternoon there is a friendly Trishaw race followed by a hawker foods street party at the Tanjong City Marina in George Town. All day Wednesday there are races in the waters north of Tanjong Bungah, followed by a prizegiving party at Khoo Kongsi, graced by a Penang VIP.

Thursday sees the yachts race overnight to Langkawi to arrive early the next morning. Friday is a spare day for some yachtsmen to relax, shop, play golf, etc., while others head for the harbour for extra races for their classes, or catch up on any postponed races from previous days. On Saturday there are more races within Bass Harbour, with local TV and other media in attendance, followed by the final gala prize giving dinner, customarily graced by HRH Sultan of Selangor and other notables, at the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club.

H/V VEGA to join the 22nd RMISR again as Press/PR vessel

We are pleased to announce that Captain Shane Granger, owner and master of the Historic Sailing Vessel VEGA, has agreed to provide his magnificent vessel and crew to transport press and public relations personnel for a second year running, for this year's regatta. VEGA will be present during all races and we hope to see her fine set of sails rigged when conditions are suitable.

Built in Norway in 1893-94, for over 100 years VEGA carried the most difficult of cargos - bricks, building stone, pig iron and cement - through some of the world’s roughest seas. Designed for the North Sea and certified for trade in the Arctic, VEGA was famous for her strength and ability to carry loads that other ships refused.

Over the years Vega’s sailing rig changed back and forth between jagkt (cutter) and traditional Galeass (ketch). The Galeass has been around for over 300 years, and is well known as eminently seaworthy, extremely good in bad weather, and easily managed by a small crew.

Vega’s past is rich with tales of adventure and intrigue. Baltic traders like VEGA carried many types of cargo and made some very impressive voyages including immigrants to North America and cargos to the Mediterranean, Africa, and the Caribbean. Some even rounded Cape Horn to trade with Chile.

Now Vega is dedicated to a different type of cargo.  Carrying medical and educational supplies, and whenever possible local medical teams, to the isolated island communities of Papua and the Solomon Islands. Many of these islands have not seen a nurse, much less a doctor for many years. This work is made possible through the assistance of volunteer crewmembers and companies who provide the medical and educational supplies as well as financial support for Vega’s running costs.

To learn more about Vega, including how to support her mission, go to: http://www.sailvega.com/