The Origins & History of the Regatta
The Regatta was launched in 1990 as a sequel to five annual offshore series which linked 3 of the most popular tourist island groups to the west of peninsular Malaysia – Pangkor, Penang and Langkawi. Yachtsmen from Royal Selangor Yacht Club in Port Klang had evolved these races over a number of years, and enjoyed the challenge of combining seamanship, navigation and local knowledge with the joy of sailing and competing.
The first regatta comprised just 2 long races, from Port Klang to Pangkor, and from Penang to Langkawi, with a leisurely cruise from Pangkor to Penang and some lively social events interspersed – even an informal fishing competition. Many of the competitors lobbied for some harbour races to be added and in 1991 triangle races were staged off Penang and Langkawi. The fleet was enhanced in 1991-2 by the addition of boats from the Europa Round-the-World Rally. In 1992 it was decided to race from Pangkor to Penang in addition to the established legs, with the best 2 of 3 races counting towards the competition for the Raja Muda Cup. The triangle races at that time were scored separately, with suitable trophies being awarded.
Recognising the popularity of the Phuket King's Cup Regatta, established a few years before RMIR, the decision was taken to link the 2 events via a Langkawi-Phuket Race, thereby providing 16 days of sailing and social gatherings along the coast. The event was gaining interest beyond local waters, with yachts being shipped or sailed from farther afield – Australia, Philippines, Hong Kong – and some of them like Dr John Wardill's redoubtable Australian Maid have become synonymous with RMIR, competing almost every year since its inception.
The popular format has remained largely unchanged to the present time. In 2000, the Penang triangle was dropped in favour of 2 days harbour racing in Langkawi, due to the lack of suitable secure berths in Penang, and the creation of a beautiful new marina at Royal Langkawi Yacht Club. But with the construction of a new marina in Penang, the extended stop-over now encompasses a day of tri-shaw races and time to run ashore for the crews, plus harbour races and a prize giving dinner in one of the most picturesque venues in the town., thus making Penang one of the most popular runs ashore in Malaysia.
Although unique in format, with 4 separate and widely dispersed shore headquarters established and removed in the space of a week, RMIR does not operate in isolation from other events. The link to the Phuket King's Cup Regatta has been maintained, with the Singapore Straits Regatta in January forming the third leg of the stool; this became the Perpetual Cup Series in 1997. The splendid Sir Thomas Lipton Cup was revived in the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club, and is awarded to the racing class boat which performs best in all 3 regattas each season. The Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club's Easter China Sea Race was included in a 4 event Asian Yachting Circuit competition in 2001, thus providing added exposure for sponsors and more competition for the avid racing sailors.
The Raja Muda Regatta organisers at Royal Selangor Yacht Club are proud to be associated with such a prestigious and popular event, and welcome constructive feedback from competitors and officials, so that improvements can be made in subsequent years. With renewed Government interest in leisure boating in Malaysia, as well as in neighbouring countries, new marinas are being constructed, providing modern facilities for high performance yachts, as well as for the cruising fleets passing through the Melaka Strait. The Regatta Patron, His Royal Highness the Sultan of Selangor, has continued to support the event both on and off the water, and enjoys meeting and greeting the competing sailors each year, as well as presenting the magnificent Raja Muda Cup, which he commissioned in 1994. RSYC welcomes all competitors to join the Regatta, whether sailing the most modern racing yacht, or a stately classic vessel, and wishes you all fair winds.
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