Monsoon Cup officially joins the Swedish Match Tour

MALAYSIA WELCOMES TOUR WITH LAVISH CEREMONY

The Monsoon Cup in Kuala Terengganu will be the 50th event of the match-racing tour

The Monsoon Cup officially joined the Swedish Match Tour today at a lavish signing ceremony attended by the Prime Minister of Malaysia and some 500 guests. The inaugural event, scheduled Nov. 29-Dec. 4, will be the 50th event of the Swedish Match Tour.

Kuala Terengganu, in the state of Terengganu on Malaysia’s East Coast, plays host to the regatta, which promises lots of rain and heaps of wind during the monsoon season. But Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi doesn’t think it should be avoided.

“People regard the monsoon season as a natural disaster because fishermen cannot go out to sea and tourists usually avoid the state during the monsoon months,” said Prime Minister Abdullah. “We cannot fight the monsoon but we can make the most of it by bringing the best yachts to the state to race and attract tourists.”

The prime minister was the brainchild behind the event, which was hatched during a bad day of fishing off the Terengganu coast. Lamenting his luck to Terengganu Chief Minister Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, the prime minister felt a regatta would help stimulate the economy of Terengganu.

“We want to break the psychological barrier that all things grind to a halt in Terengganu during the monsoon season,” said Chief Minister Idris. “(Abdullah) came up with the idea of holding the world class boat race as a catalyst for economic activities in the state.”

The event will award a MYR 400,000 (approximately $105,000) prize purse. Invitations for the event are due to be sent soon, but already Russell Coutts, the record-setting America’s Cup skipper, Dean Barker, helmsman for Emirates Team New Zealand, Chris Dickson, helmsman for BMW Oracle Racing, and James Spithill, helmsman for Luna Rossa Challenge, have expressed interest.

The regatta is being hosted by the Terengganu Heritage Bay Club. The club is part of a three-year, multi-million dollar development project on the island of Pulau Duyong. The development is in its first phase and building includes a 30-berth marina, a boardwalk and 60 chalets. When it’s completed the marina will have 180 berths and a 50-ton Travelift, and there’ll be a five-star resort.

“It will be the only facility of its kind in the South China Sea. Essentially, we’re doing a complete redevelopment of island,” said Patrick Lim, an event organizer whose company is developing the island. “The area has some of the oldest villages in this part of world. There are 180-year old enclaves that we won’t touch. The plan will leave some things as they should be, while also bringing in an economic entity that will have a huge impact on the locals.”

Australian Peter Gilmour, the reigning two-time Tour champion, is helping organize the event. He’s been instrumental in providing technical assistance to the organizers and sees the event as a new model for communities that wish to raise their profile locally or internationally.

“The legacy of this event for the Tour is exciting,” said Gilmour. “This city of Kuala Terengganu, this state of Terengganu in Malaysia is an unknown venue at the moment. As time goes by it will become more and more known until it is a major sailing destination in Asia. I think that aspect of it is what’s going to be the legacy for those that chose to do similar property developments in other parts of the world.”

The Swedish Match Tour is in the midst of its seventh season. England’s Ben Ainslie, of Emirates Team New Zealand, leads the standings after three stages. After the Monsoon Cup, events next year are scheduled for Brazil, Croatia, Germany, Italy and Sweden.

Swedish Match Tour partners include Swedish Match, BMW and the Match Race Association. Swedish Match Tour Official Sponsors include Musto, Sebago and Travel Places.

For more information on the Swedish Match Tour, its competitors and events, please visit the official Tour Web site, www.SwedishMatchTour.com. Swedish Match Tour television programs may be viewed by clicking on the Tour television button on the home page of the Web site.