Raja Muda 2020 to go ahead
by Raja Muda Media 9 Jul 2020 02:36 BST
13-21 November 2020
Antipodes, Pulau Jong. Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta 2019 © Guy Nowell / RMSIR
The impact of Covid 19 has been felt across the world. Government restrictions put in place to reduce the spread of the virus have impacted many activities, including sporting events. This has led to the cancellation of international sailing races and regattas and given organisers a difficult task in deciding what to do this year.
Now for the good news! Royal Selangor Yacht Club committee members and sailors have discussed the issue of running the Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta this year and decided that it will go ahead in a simplified form. Malaysia has moved to the Recovery MCO phase and more events and gatherings are now permitted, although international travel is still restricted and other rules dictate the way racing can be organised.
The final details are still to be decided. The most scaled down version will be a series of friendly passage and harbour races, consisting of entries by ‘like minded’ sailing enthusiasts who are not hampered by travel constrains (i.e. almost all from Malaysia) and the format will be expanded to include more yachts from other countries if conditions permit. Windward leeward races will be simplified and some probably replaced by inshore races using island and/or channel markers as race marks. Limited social gatherings will follow the Government SOP and costs will be reduced for this simplified event, partly due to a much reduced level of sponsorship. The team will not include an International Race Officer and International Jury this year due to travel restrictions. An experienced Malaysian based RO and team will handle all the on-water organisation, and RSYC staff will take care of land based events as usual.
RMSIR organisers will stay flexible, so that if travel restrictions are lifted then boats from other countries will be included, but if a stricter MCO is reintroduced then only fleet sailing will take place. The original scheduled dates of 13th to 21st November will not change, but the format will be modified to include sailing to Pangkor overnight on Saturday 14th November, followed by on-the-water events in Pangkor on Sunday 15th and Monday 16th November, then on to Penang on Tuesday 17th. The Club will encourage power boat owners to come along and join in with these activities at Pangkor; details to be provided later. The good news is that organizers will reduce the entry fees for this simplified event!
An NOR will be issued shortly with more details.