TEAM 'THE NEXT FACTOR' SWEEP TO THE FORE ON FIRST DAY OF RLIR 2025

LANGKAWI, Jan 21 (Bernama) -- Team The Next Factor from Malaysia showcased its prowess by managing to complete three races ahead of the pack in the Racing Class on the first day of the Royal Langkawi International Regatta Championship (RLIR) 2025 today, thus taking the top position.

The excellent weather conditions and wind speed today allowed the team led by Rolf Heemskerk to lead the competition after successfully collecting three points in the Kuah Harbour Race which started at the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club (RLYC), here.

"Today's good. We managed to win all the races in first place. Not many difficulties, all good sails and the crew contributed to the success, the wind speed was around eight to 13 knots which is perfect for sailing.

"The competition was okay, not much because the Thailand team, Vayu, did not start all three races because of some problems. While the competition from ATM Sailing Team is okay too, they tried to catch us, but they have to try harder for tomorrow's races," he told Bernama, here today.

He is also confident that his team can continue the good momentum for the remaining races, thus enabling them to win the Racing class.

In the IRC1 class, luck was not in favour of last year's champion Mata Hari team from Malaysia led by Vincent Chan due to the wind conditions that were too strong today, which was not suitable for the condition and size of their team's boat.

"The wind today was between 10 to 15 knots so it was suitable for a big boat like Char Chan. Throughout the three races today, we managed to closely follow the opposing team and were only a few seconds behind them but luck was not on our side.

"I hope tomorrow the wind conditions will be between eight and 10 knots because it is more suitable for boats, thus allowing us to perform better. We haven't given up yet because last year, Char Chan won the first four races but we managed to win the last six races and allowed us to become champions," he said.

FIRST DAY RESULTS

RACING CLASS (after three races):

1.The Next Factor (MAS) 3 penalty points

2.Blitz (HKG) 6 penalty points

3.ATM Sailing Team (MAS) 9 penalty points

4.Vayu (THA) 15 penalty points

IIRC1 CLASS (three races):

1.Char Chan (JPN) 3 penalty points

2.Mata Hari (MAS) 6 penalty points

3.Team Jolt (SGP) 9 penalty points

4.Uminoko (KGZ) 14 penalty points

5.Red Rum One (SGP) 15 penalty points

6.Sailing Dream (CHN) 17 penalty points

7.Kesini (SGP) 22 penalty points

8.Venture (NEU) 22 penalty points

9.Team Malabar (MAS) 27 penalty points

--MORE

SPORTS-SAILING (RLIR) 3 (LAST) LANGKAWI

IRC2 CLASS (two races):

1.Phoenix (DEN) 4 penalty points

2.PDRM Sailing Team (MAS) 4 penalty points

3.The Blue Angel (MAS) 5 penalty points

4.Telaga Sail99 - UMT Racing Team (MAS) 7 penalty points

5.VG Offshore (MAS) 10 penalty points

SPORTSBOATS CLASS (three races):

1.RSYC Racing Team (MAS) 4 penalty points

2.Navy 2 (MAS) 6 penalty points

3.Navy 1 (MAS) 8 penalty points

4.RSYC Sailing Team (MAS) 12 penalty points

MULTIHULL CLASS (two races):

1.Haruki (AUS) 4 penalty points

2.WOW (GBR) 4 penalty points

3.Twin Sharks (THA) 4 penalty points

4.Boreas (AUS) 8 penalty points

5.Trident (GBR) 10 penalty points

CLUB CLASS (two races):

1.Dash (MAS) 2 penalty points

2.Wind of Change (NEU) 5 penalty points

3.Suraya (AUS) 6 penalty points

4.Marikh (MAS) 7 penalty points

5.Eveline (MAS) 13 penalty points

6.Tofan (MAS) 14 penalti points

7.Onisama Sailing Racing  (CHN) 14 penalty points

8.Red Cap Sailing School (GBR) 15 penalty points

-- BERNAMA