'Hooligan'Champs Of Round-The-Island' Challenge

BY AHMAD ERWAN OTHMAN LANGKAWI (Malaysia), Jan 13 (Bernama) -- 'Hooligan' of Australia maintained their lead after six rounds of racing in the 'IRC Racing Class' of the 10th Royal Langkawi International Regatta (RLIR) 2012 held at the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club (RLYC) in Kuah here Thursday. The debutants secured another triumph in the single match 'Round-the-Island' challenge today and one more penalty point for a commanding lead overall for the Prime Minister's Challenge Cup. Skippered by Marcus Blackmore, the team now have seven penalty points overall after three-days of competition while their closest rival, HiFI of Hong Kong, skippered by former Olympian Neil Pryde from New Zealand, followed behind with 11 penalty points. In Thursday's challenge, a soft breeze between 10 to 16 knots gave 'Hooligan' a good start to clock three hours 41 minutes and 39 seconds, leaving HiFI about 6.45s to finish in second place. Jelik II from Hong Kong came in third in 3:59.55s to secure 23 penalty points overall, ahead of the Royal Malaysian Navy's Utarid and Uranus teams helmed by Ishak Jab with 4:06.02s (24 points) and Mohd Razali Mansor with 4:06.23s (25 points) respectively. All participants had sail around more than 10 islands including Tuba Island, Lima Island, Dayang Bunting Island, Beras Basah Island and Pulau Singa Besar Island before turning back to the harbour. The teams have to compete in four more races until Saturday for the Prime Minister's Challenge Cup. Meanwhile, principal of the race, Simon James, said a few yachts had a slow start today due to technical problems, including HiFI. "HiFI had some small technical problems and they needed some time to fix them," he said. All participants will continue their race in the Round-the-Shore Challenge Friday morning. Thirty-six teams from 12 countries including Germany, England, Australia, Denmark, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore are taking part in the RLIR 2012. Overall Ranking IRC Racing Day-3: --------------------------------- 1. Hooligan (AUS) - 7 penalty points 2. HiFI (HKG) - 11 3. Jelik II (HKG) - 23 4. Utarid (MAS) - 24 5. Uranus (MAS) - 25 -- BERNAMA