Pryde And Passion Leads To HiFi Ending 10-year Drought In Langkawi Regatta Championship 2013

By Zulkafli Ibrahim

LANGKAWI, Jan 12 (Bernama) -- The HiFi team finally ended its 10-year drought when it lifted its maiden title in the Racing category at the Royal Langkawi International Regatta here Saturday.

The team from Hong Kong sealed the 2013 championship with the last race as the wins in nine races were sufficient to overcome six other competing teams.

HiFi, led by helmsman Neil Pryde, grabbed the Prime Minister's Trophy after collecting 21 penalty points, far ahead of their closest rival, Jelik, also of Hong Kong, which collected 30 points.

In third place was Walawala 2 of Singapore, with 31 points, followed by local teams Uranus and Utarid, respectively, with 36 and 43 penalty points.

"I am every happy to emerge as champion after having participated in the championship since 2003. All went smoothly when we were at sea," Pryde told reporters after the race.

FULL RESULTS: Racing Class 1.HiFi (HKG) 21 points. 2.Jelik (HKG) 30 points. 3.Walawala 2 (SIN) 31 points. 4.Uranus (MAS) 36 points. 5.Utarid (MAS) 43 points. 6.KATSU (AUS) 53 points. 7.Baby Tonga (AUS) 70 points.

IRC 1 1.Phoneix (DEN) 8 points. 2.Nijinsky (GBR) 19 points. 3.Skybird (GBR) 21 points.

Sportsboats Class 1.ATM (MAS) 15 points. 2.MYA/KFC (MAS) 20 points. 3.Singapore Management University (SIN) 26 points.

Sportsboats Under 25 1.MYA/KFC (MAS) 13 points. 2.Singapore Management University (SIN) 17 points. 3.Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron (AUS) 30 points.

Multihull Racing 1.Mojo (AUS) 12 points. 2.Fantasia (AUS) 17 points. 3.Miss Saigon (GBR) 22 points.

Multihull Premier 1.Prima Donna (AUS) 8 points. 2.Vertical Time (GER) 12 points. 3.Ivory Street (AUS) 18 points.

Bareboat 1.Dreamtime (AUS) 6 points. 2.Morakot (AUS) 12 points. 3.Rattana (GBR) 18 points.

Club 1.Fortissimo 8 (JPN) 16 points. 2.My Toy (AUS) 20 points. 3.Poco (THA) 21 points.

Ocean Rover 1.Eveline (MAS) 8 points. 2.Sirius (AUS) 10 points. 3.Warisan Duyong (MAS) points.

White Sail 1.Chantique (MAS) 7 points. 2.Optoloi (BB) 11 points. 3.Slow Motion (GBR) 24 points.

-- BERNAMA