Local Team, Utarid Holds On Challenge In RLIR

LANGKAWI (Kedah, Malaysia), Jan 16 (Bernama) -- Local representative in the racing category at the 13th Royal Langkawi International Regata (RLIR), Utarid is still positive despite trailing far behind leader, Oi! from Australia. After six rounds, Oi! captained by Peter Ahern was ahead with six penalty points while Utarid has 13 penalty points. The Utarid skipper, Ishak Jap said despite being left behind, there was still a wide chance of clinching the first position. "So Utarid will not concede defeat and will continue the challenge. Who knows, we may get lucky," he told reporters here Thursday. Another local team, Zuhrah is also in the fray even though it is even further behind with 17 penalty points. "Zuhrah could have given a stiffer fight but was unlucky to have several technical problems," he said. Another local team, Zuhal which was participating in the RLIR for the first time lacked the experience in such a major race like the RLIR," he said. The three-day competition required all teams to navigate round the island and Oi! has won all six rounds followed by Utarid in second place, Zuhrah (third) and Zuhal in the last place. The five-day competition which ends on Saturday is being participated by 40 yachts from all over the world including Malaysia, Great Britain, Australia, Thailand, Singapore, Russia, Austria, Denmark, China, Hong Kong, Italy, New Zealand and Japan. (photoBERNAMA) Results of Racing Category (3rd Day): ----------------------------------- 1. Oi! (AUS) - 6 penalty points 2. Utarid (MAS) - 13 3. Zuhrah (MAS) - 17 4. Zuhal (MAS) - 26. -- BERNAMA