&
Seen Heard
7 th
Borneo
International
Yachting
Challenge…
Sari Timur Style
A
fter our terrible performance in the
20th Raja Muda Regatta, we decided to
try the Borneo International Yachting
Challenge (BIYC). This is a set of fun
races from Miri up to Kota Kinabalu via Labuan,
similar to the original runnings of the Raja Muda
Regatta and the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta.
The BIYC saw 53 boats from 14 different
countries, divided into four classes: IRC, Cruising
A, Cruising B, and Multihull. Although there
were six no-shows, they were still kept on
the registry. We fell into Class B – the largest
class – with 20 boats at final count. We were
paid Malaysian ringgit 688 (*SGD297) as an
added incentive to help with boat and crew
expenses during the event, on condition we
took part in all the races.
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As usual Sari Timur was off to a terrible
start during the first harbour race just outside
the marina. This was due to a technical
malfunction that placed us on the wrong
side of everyone. Since we did not want to
tack across about 30 boats on a port tack, we
decided to continue away from the main fleet
and follow a couple of other boats which had
similar handicaps as ours. The tropics often
see a huge wind shift and this time it was
in our favour, steering us into the perfect
location. We were able to pull the windward
mark in with just one tack and pass a huge
part of the fleet that was struggling with the
wind shift. We were over the moon when the
results placed us first. Due to the tides, there
was only one race which allowed everyone
 to get back early and prepare for
the party… and, what a party it was!
The next day was the passage race
from Miri to Labuan, a 95-mile slog
of what the weatherman predicted as
a broad reach in 25-30 knots breeze. All smiles
Despite Sari Timur’s reasonable start,
the weatherman got it all wrong. With right direction and the current was
only 4 knots, we were struggling with us. By teasing the spinnaker we
just to keep moving. There was a were able to pass all kinds of boats.
provision in the sailing instructions We felt really good about ourselves
to use the engine for the two long until we suddenly discovered that
passages but we did not want to the majority were heading inside
start putting hours on it within the of Pulau Tiga, while we had opted
first part of the race. After about two for the clearer outside passage. The
hours of persistence, the wind came wind dropped out completely once
up a little enabling us to fly our big we got within about three miles
spinnaker and reel back some of the of Pulau Tiga. From our previous
yachts whom we thought had had night’s experience, we knew that
a better angle on the wind than us the return of the wind would be
(we later learned they had turned on from the shoreside and be blocked
their engines earlier). by Pulau Tiga. We were stuck and
Just after dark as we were struggling had to use the engine assist again.
through some of the oil rigs, the wind Trailing in tenth place for this race
died again so we used the engine rule indeed dampened our spirits, but
till about 2am. Thereafter we had a hey, another party and a scrumptious
wonderful sail all the way to Labuan dinner with the crew were in store.
and second place. Another great party Two races were left – a windward
sans alcohol was held that evening. leeward triangle combination and
The next day’s race commenced at then, a passage race back to the
11am, a 65-mile overnighter to Kota marina rounding the periphery islands.
Kinabalu. We awoke to a beautiful The crew did everything right for
12-knot breeze in the right direction, the first race and Sari Timur had the
only to have it come down to a few best start ever, coming in second!
puffs by 11am. Luckily it came from the However, we struggled to make it in
before the time limit for the second
race. The heavy rain also made it
Overall 1st Race 1 1st difficult to keep the spinnaker up.
We placed eighth but came off with
best overall result and a very nice
trophy, which is now displayed on
Sari Timur’s “mantelpiece”.
We wish to thank Alex (Ferret) and
Rina Voss of Ulumulu, who brought
some spares for us from Singapore
a couple of days before the race.
Final Category 1st place
Selma Star
2nd place
Ulumulu
3rd place
Miri Magic 1
This allowed us to compete with
Results IRC Philippines Malaysia Malaysia more confidence in our engine. To
everyone at Raffles Marina, we highly
Remington Jaraman Shah
Cruising A Canada Australia UK recommend a trip to Borneo. If you
Sari Timur Destiny III Petima can, cap it off with this race.
Cruising B Singapore Australia Germany
Out of the Bag Truest Passion This Way Up * Currency exchange accurate at the time
MultiHull Australia Australia Australia of printing.

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