PULAU
DUYONG, Malaysia, Oct. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Ri-Yaz Heritage
Marina Resort & Spa will be the centre of attention when it
becomes the host venue for the sixth edition of the Malaysian Match
Racing Championship (MMRC) from the 7th - 10th October 2011. The
annual championship will see eight local sailing teams vying for
the sole chance to represent Malaysia at the Monsoon Cup, which
will take place from 22nd - 27th November 2011 at the same venue in
Terengganu.
Defending MMRC
champion, Jeremy Koo, leads the line-up with high hopes of
retaining his title with yet another coup. Having skippered his
team to victory last year, Koo is confident that his past
experience will come in handy in improving his performance this
year. He said, "Everyone is a potential match for us. We do not
take anyone for granted."
After losing his
title to Koo and dropping to 3rd place last year,
2009 MMRC champion, Hazwan Hazim is back with a vengeance with a
new sponsor and a new tactician. He said, "Our main strategy is to
lead from the start, apply some tactics and cover our opponents."
He hoped that his new teammate, Nik Ashraf Qaedi, who is
well-versed in tactical planning, would give him the advantage he
needs.
Winner of the 2008
MMRC, Nurul Ain Md. Isa, is also back by popular demand. Three
years ago, Nurul won the MMRC together with Hazwan Hazim and has
not competed in the event since her last victory. But a new
sponsorship from Ri-Yaz Heritage Marina Resort & Spa,
spearheaded by the General Manager, Abdul Shaheed Yusof, saw her
jumping at the chance to outshine her male rivals.
The Malaysian
Armed Forces are also confident that their two teams, MAF1 and MAF2
will do well as they have been consistently showing up in full
force since the inception of the MMRC in 2006. The two teams have
taken to sparring with each other to rack up practice hours and
boost their confidence.
Mohd Affendy, who
is also the General Manager of the Malaysian Yachting Association,
leads family team, Team Affendy. The experienced skipper has
participated in many matches including the Malaysia Challenge, Raja
Muda Regatta, Royal International Regatta, King Cup, Top of the
Gulf, Sail the Gulf, Straits Singapore Regatta, and many more.
According to Affendy, the key to success is not in winning only but
bringing up the sport of sailing.
Another family
team, Melaka Negeriku Sayang, sees Ahmad Khairulhafiz Ahmad Khmbali
and his children hoping for an opportunity to qualify for the
Monsoon Cup. No stranger to match racing, Ahmad previously raced in
last year’s MMRC but didn’t qualify for a placing. He hoped that
his over 10 years experience in sailing and competing will help him
clinch the championship and bring pride to his beloved
hometown.
For Mohd Romzi
Muhamad, good teamwork and consistent technical practices are the
key factors for competitive success. His obsession towards sailing
began when he was still in primary school and led him to compete
globally in Japan, Korea, China, France, Doha and USA in the dinghy
classes. His team of national sailors is all set to conquer the
MMRC for the very first time.
All the action
begins tomorrow, with remaining teams arriving at Pulau Duyong for
registration and training.
The Asian Match
Racing Championship will follow the Malaysian Match Racing
Championship from 12th -15th October, with both winners
automatically securing a spot at the Monsoon Cup, which is the
final leg of the ISAF World Match Racing Tour circuit held from
22nd - 27th November, at the same venue in Terengganu.
MMRC
Line-up
For more information, please
contact:
Audrey Lakai
Communications Department
World Match Racing Tour
+60-12-502-2206
[email protected]
SOURCE Monsoon Cup