Sunday, January 13, 2008

New Year celebrations at RLIR 08

On a more humorous note there were some sailors out to enjoy the New Year festivities at the 6th Royal Langkawi Internarional Regatta that blasted off the 2008 sailing activities in Asian waters. Quite a few competitors were over the start line or On Course Side (OCS) and had to be recalled during the event. Aussie PRO Mark Pryke and his race committee that were using the Malaysian Police vessel came up with a unique method to deter them on the last day of racing. It seemed to do the trick.

Also quite a few used the occasion to brighten up the event. Bill Phelps Firefly crew on Twin Sharks took to wearing Tu Tu's and helmsman / multihull designer Mark Pescott a Yogi bear tail for the whole event. I'm not sure what it means but it certainly added some amusement to the racing. On the last day Ray Roberts Quantum Racing was also seen wearing one at the start but was quickly removed before a photo could be taken. Selected photos have been posted in the RLIR 08 Photo Gallery. Most of the action is captured and probably every boat is featured as well as close ups of the skippers and crews, especially all the girls that have dared to take up the sport of sailing in Asian waters.