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The last couple of years have seen a famine of sailing events worldwide as re- strictions on travel and gatherings have prevented regatta being held and many owners kept far away from their yachts
in distant ports. The Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta, held annually every November for the past 30+ years, with its unique mix of offshore coastal and harbour races up the west coast of Malaysia, is one such event. The planned 2020 31st edition had to be cancelled due to a complete ban on such events and, thanks to a mild relaxation of rules, in 2021 was a very minimal event, with only local yachts and crews able to take part, as nobody was allowed to enter the country. The valiant attempts of the organisers (Royal Selangor Yacht Club) and local based officials were able to keep alive the tradition, being blessed with good winds and a complete score card of results to satisfy the yearning for some long awaited maritime competition. Club race officer Malcolm Elliott and a very small race management team made a silk purse out of a sow’s ear to rekindle the competitive spirits by juggling limited resources to satisfy the restricted criteria, even if the usual, infamous, social events at each stopover in Pangkor and Penang were missing. Sadly, former ASP Khalid, who was the Marine Polis commander for 2019 and who very kindly and conscientiously came out of retirement to act as Marine Polis liaison and safety ARO for the 2021 regatta, passed away recently so will not be with us this year.
Thankfully, when Malaysian travel and gathering restrictions started to be lifted earlier in 2022, it was a case of full steam ahead for this year’s coming 32nd edition, planned for 18th to 26th November 2022. Owners and crews can now enter and exit Malaysia without spending more days in quarantine than actually at the regatta, plus the organisers are able to bring back International PRO Simon James to oversee the racing and have plans to reinstate all the usual social frolicking at each stopover, including the ubiquitous rickshaw races which both confuse and amuse the locals at Straits Quay, Penang.
During 2021 regatta Rolf Heemskerk’s The Next Factor failed to defend his 2019 Class 1 victory by just 1 point to skipper Khairulnizam Mohd Afendy on Meraki, so both will be returning this year to take up the fight again. 2022 will also see the return of the smaller IRC classes so expect some similarly renewed battles between the likes of Insanity (John Kara) and Nijinsky (Jeff Harris). It is hoped that Singaporean and Thai boats, both returnees and newcomers, will be entering these and the ever popular non-IRC cruising classes. Indeed, many former participants have been chomping at the bit awaiting news of the return of what many describe as "the one not to be missed", so, within minutes of the recent announcement of the return, people were making their hotel bookings and prepping their boats for participation. It is hoped that many old friends will be returning and those new to the “Raja Muda” will take advantage of the chance to try something unique in Asian sailing. The entry fees have remained the same as the 2019 event, despite increased costs and reduced sponsorship, so the organisers have asked that all those who intend to join visit the website and register their intent, so that they can make cost effective plans. The Provisional Notice of Race is just about to be issued and will available for download.
As many who have taken part will vouch for, it is the mix of top class racing yachts, with cruising and club boats, plus century old yachts, which make this a special event for all concerned. Couple this with a mix of tropical island stopovers and racing around the Langkawi archipelago, away from the hustle and bustle of city life (and work), plus weather conditions that often tax even the most experienced sailors, one can see why everyone has been so keen to see the Return of the Tradition.