On board EFG Bank Mandrake, Raja Muda 2010
03 December 2010
As we cast off our dock lines on EFG Bank Mandrake, thoughts went back exactly twelve months previously to what seemed to be constant rain and at times strong winds for the first two legs of the 2009 Raja Muda. Roll forward to the present and as we head down the river and away from the rubbish floating in and around Port Klang, we were setting our sights to a forecast of sensational weather with only a hint of any storm activity. Now this is what keeps us turning up to this great event with its mixture of passage racing and windward/leeward racing and all races counting to help the leader board remain in a constant cycle and keep the pressure on crews until the very end of the regatta.
Each of the locations offers their own unique entertainment and sights, with the hustle and bustle of Kuala Lumpar and then getting down to Port Klang, then to Pangkor Island and for those willing to make the journey, the magnificent resort of Pangkor Laut. From there it is onto Penang and the first of the inshore race days and following that, the last passage race to Langkawi and then the final day of inshore racing on Bass Harbour.
In the IRC Grand Prix racing division, one of the hottest fleets in years faced the gun to signal the start of what would turn out to be a long and frustrating first leg. Four TP52’s, Evolution Racing, Jelik 5, Strewth, Free Fire, the Welbourne 52 Hi – Fi, the Mills 51 EFG Bank Mandrake, and the Riechel/Pugh 75 Jelik 3 made up one of the best quality fleets assembled for this the 21st running of the Raja Muda.
On board EFG Bank Mandrake we knew we would be in for a long leg with the forecast sea breeze to fade to nothing overnight, but at least we would enjoy a full moon and a little better catering from the previous year, so at least we could focus our complaining on the lack of wind, rather than the rumbling stomach’s, as the rations were up from the one sandwich per person of the previous year. Funny if you’re off the boat, not so funny when fielding the complaints if you’re the catering officer. The choice this first leg was stay out for better breeze and hope that it was stronger than incoming tide, or hug the coast and gain some tidal relief. On EFG Bank Mandrake we made good early gains out wide but as the breeze faded it made it very difficult to get back in. For what was only to be a 90 odd mile race, it looked like it was going to take an awful time. In fact by the time we crossed the finish line the sun was up again, and as we checked into our hotels we spared a thought for those less fortunate than ourselves as boats arrived well into the day, some electing to motor, such was their frustration. So a poor result in the first leg meant this was going to be a catch up regatta, but with all races to count nobody could afford to relax as there would be plenty of twists and turns before the party in Langkawi.
One of the highlights on the Asian circuit is a visit to the world renowned resort of Pangkor Laut. This is truly a hidden gem with magnificent beaches, stunning views over the infinity pools to the stilted accommodation over the water and plenty of fine dining for all tastes and budgets. In fact when Luciano Pavarotti was alive he rated this as his number one holiday destination. And who are we to argue with the ‘big fella’. So after a few teething problems with the new marina at this stopover, mainly because of a lack of draft everyone was eager to get racing onto the next leg to Penang.
We awoke on race morning hoping that we still had a boat to race on after a fairly severe thunderstorm roared through at around 4am. The anchorage for those unable to fit into the marina is exposed at best, so for those doing anchor watch it was probably a fairly sleepless night. But as we were transported out to the yachts there was a fair amount of relief on most people’s faces that their pride and joy’s were still intact and ready to race. With a very sloppy sea state and little to no breeze the racing fleets were asked to follow Principal Race Officer Jerry Rollin’s start boat to an area where there would be some breeze. The looks on the faces of the various crews in the cruising division was something to see as they had attempted to start a few hours earlier only to be left ‘parked’ on the line as we all motored off into the distance looking for breeze for our starts. Still I’m sure they had a few beers onboard to ease the pain. As racing got under way, all boats hoisted their spinnakers and settled into a sensational afternoon of sailing with around 10 knots of breeze with a true wind angel of around 130 degrees in brilliant sunshine, champaign sailing at its best. Although it was all to brief as the sun set and a magnificent full moon rose, the breeze decided to do a disappearing act and turned what was looking like a quick finish into another long and frustrating night at sea. On EFG Bank Mandrake we finally drifted across the line again as the sun was rising. A slight improvement in result still left us well down the leader board, but with five more race left the series was still wide open, although Ray Roberts and his TP 52 Evolution Racing were off to a flying start with two from two to set up a handy little lead going into the first day of inshore racing in Penang. So it was another cultural tour of Penang with its rich history that kept most crews entertained for the day and the chance to sample some of the varied cuisines on offer from its wide and varied population base. After a sensational function at the Khoo Kongsi clan house everyone was freshened up and looking forward to getting into some inshore racing the following day.
As has happened in previous years, the conditions in Penang can be very light, and I know that everyone onboard EFG Bank Mandrake was hoping the glassy conditions that confronted us as we motored out to the start area would quickly form into some kind of sea breeze to allow racing to get underway. The consequence if this didn’t eventuate was no lay day in Langkawi and I know everyone was pretty keen for a relaxing day up the track further. After nearly two and a half hours waiting around and with great perseverance from the PRO racing finally got underway in a patchy but sailable breeze. A solid result on EFG Bank Mandrake with a third in the first race was tempered a little with a fourth in the second race after appearing to be in a great position at the top mark, but a tangle up of smaller boats who appeared to be a little dazzled by the headlights meant that bearing away rapidly by EFG Bank Mandrake to clear the chaos caused EFG Bank Mandrake problems with the whole Class 1 fleet approaching the mark rapidly on starboard. Result, a few close calls and a 720 degree turn snatch defeat from the jaws of victory for EFG Bank Mandrake, but with a three and four result from the day we were now at least within striking distance of the podium.
The shortest of the offshore legs was a little 55 mile sprint up to Langkawi, in what is probably the most interesting of the legs was also EFG Bank Mandrake’s most favoured angle of sail, light upwind in around 10 knots, so the focus was just to hang in there and with very little reaching this would not allow the quicker TP 52’s to get away. Half way up the leg and with all boats within close range of each other things were going according to plan, until a little thunderstorm arrived. With plenty of sail change activity and visibility cut to a few boat lengths and darkness rapidly approaching, we weren’t exactly sure how we had performed as boats had gone in all directions, but on final calculations EFG Bank Mandrake had done enough to claim the overall prize and get right back into overall calculations. Another little dark front rolled through the bar at the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club as crews relaxed, but this was a rum front, and it occurred in one of the most picturesque yacht clubs in the world. With great views back out over the marina and Bass Harbour the crew EFG Bank Mandrake enjoyed a relaxing night knowing that we had also earned a lay day the next day. With plenty to do in Langkawi, some went touring, some went sailing and others enjoy a relaxing round of golf. With Evolution Racing and Hi-Fi locked in a tight battle at the head of the leader board, there was to be a shootout between Jelik 5, Free Fire and EFG Bank Mandrake for the final podium spot with two windward/leeward races to go. On EFG Bank Mandrake the equation was simple, beat Jelik 5 in both races.
Bass Harbour always provides great racing with good breezes, flat water and plenty of shifts if you’re game to bang the corners, plus the ever changing tide. So plenty to think about. In the first race EFG Bank Mandrake did all that it had to do, second place and ahead of her rivals, although only one place ahead of Jelik 5, but only one place separated the two boats now. Probably the saddest sight was Evolution Racing hooked up on a lobster pot after having a huge lead over her rivals, and this would ultimately cost them the regatta.
So the regatta was all coming down to the final race. With no boat wanting to give their opponents a sniff of victory, everyone was eager, in fact to eager, with the whole fleet bar Strewth over early, coupled with a right hand shift we were expecting a general recall but it was not to be and when the dust settled Team Jelik, 3 and 5 did a nice job holding EFG Bank Mandrake out to the non favoured side of the course and with a rapidly dying breeze the passing lanes were also disappearing and so was the final podium spot that we were keen to snare. In the end Jelik 5 held on the grab third behind Hi-Fi and Evolution Racing, but it had been a solid later part of the regatta onboard EFG Bank Mandrake after a slow start and being a close fourth gives us some optimism going up to Phuket for the King’s Cup the following week.
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