Borneo International Yachting Challenge Press Release

The 2010 Borneo International Yachting Challenge (BIYC) will begin in Miri (Sarawak) on the 25^th of this month.

This annual event, now in its 7^th year takes a fleet of international yachts from Miri to Labuan - a distance of 105 miles, and then from Labuan to Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) which is another 65 miles. The regatta finishes in Kota Kinabalu with two races around the Tunku Abdul Rahman national Marine Park on Friday the 30^th July, followed by a lavish prize giving dinner at Sutera Harbour Marina Club hosted by Sabah Tourism.

The regatta is a joint effort between the Ministry Of Tourism And Heritage Sarawak, Labuan Corporation, and the Sabah Tourism Board. Other sponsors include Sutera Harbour Resort, Samling Global, Pelita and Park City Everly Hotel in Miri.

This year will see 55 entries representing 13 countries from as far afield as Sweden and the United States, and includes the overall winner from last year, Selmar Star from the Philippines back to defend their title.

The fleet is almost double the size of last year’s and will set a new record for the event. It will also make the regatta one of the largest of its kind in South East Asia.

One of the reasons for this dramatic increase in numbers is due to collaboration between the BIYC and the Sail Malaysia Rally – Passage to the East.

BIYC committee member Simon Farmer, who was instrumental in forging this partnership with the organizers of Sail Malaysia, said that given the current state of the global economy and the ever shrinking sponsorship dollar it made sense to combine the two events. He said the number of entries this year proved that this had been a popular strategy.

The Chairman of Sabah Tourism Board and co-chairman of the regatta, Dato Seri Tengku Zainal Adlin expressed his delight with the number of yachts taking part this year and said that Sabah is on target to achieving its goal in becoming the Caribbean of the East.

He said that ‘events such as this are putting Borneo and Kota Kinabalu on the map, and are the perfect vehicle for showcasing the state and its bio-diversity’.

Adlin commented further that over the past 12 months Sutera Harbour Marina and Kota Kinabalu had hosted at least 10 mega yachts of over thirty meters with a combined value of over US$350 million dollars. Among these visitors was the world’s largest privately owned sailing yacht, the 92 meter ‘Eos’ valued in excess of US$150 million.

“The fact that more and more of these types of yachts are visiting our shores means that the message is getting through to yacht owners and captains that Sabah and Borneo have as much to offer, if not more than the other major destinations around the world. These types of visitors provide a tremendous boost to the local economy and to the global perception of Sabah”, remarked Adlin

Tengku Adlin will take part in the regatta once again this year sailing aboard Farmers yacht in the final two races off Kota Kinabalu. This will be a little different from last year when he crewed on the 120’ luxury sailing yacht ‘Naos’ and was treated to a gourmet lunch. Farmer warned Adlin not to expect the same this year as the boat he is sailing on is a stripped out racing yacht with only the bare essentials. Adlin replied that he was ready for the challenge.

Borneo International Yachting Challenge Entries

This year's Borneo International Yachting Challenge is proving to be a popular event with just under two months to go before the Start in Miri on 24th July. The entry list is lead by Australia with 16 entries followed by the Uk with 5 Entries, New Zealand and the USA with 3 entries. France and the Hosts Malaysia have only two entries at the moment but a further 3 Malysian entires are expected. there a single Entries from Singapore, Germany, Vanuatu and the British Virgin Island.

At least twenty of of the entries are taking part in Sail Malaysia's Passage to the East Rally which finishes in Miri.

The exact race schedule still has to be confirmed as there may be tow inshore races at Miri is the entrance to Miri Marina has been dredged. The longest passage race will be from Miri to Labuan which should be completed in around 24 hours. Labuan Marina is now under new ownership and berths have electricity and running water. Maintenance work is now in progress to improve the floating pontoons. There is now a clubhouse with limited facilities.

The second passage race will see yachts racing from Labuan to Kota Kinabalu where berths are available on a first come first served basis. thereafter there will be two inshore races and Prize giving.

A forum is available at http://borneorace.com/forum which provides further details on weather and tide forecasts, accommodation, shopping and crewing opportunities.

David Ogden
Webmaster borneorace.com

Brunei Excluded From Borneo International Yachting Challenge

The 7th International Yachting Challenge will not include include Brunei as a destination this year as the authorities have been two slow in putting together a suitable package for competing yachts.

The first passage race from Miri will end at Labuan where yachts will overnight before competing in the second passage race to Kota Kinabalu. Inshore races will be held in Miri before the start of the passage races and at Kota Kinabalu at the end of the passage race.

for more details please Visit http://borneorace.com. this regatta is one of the few events which are free to enter, in fact early entries benefit from a bounty paid by the 0rganisers to yachts that compete each of the scheduled races.

David Ogden
Webmaster@borneorace.com