The fourth leg of Liga Layar Malaysia (LLM) for the 2015 season ended with Hazwan Hazim Dermawan and hazOne Racing Team taking the top honours while newcomer UWA skippered by Will Boulden came in second. This is Hazwan’s third stage win after Pulau Indah and Lumut.
Races went underway at noon in light wind conditions, which picked up midway. Officials managed to squeeze 11 flights in just four hours, quite a feat considering the situation. Hazwan dominated the third round robin stage, winning all six races to end the regatta with a total of 16 points while Boulden only managed to win three and lost three races with a score of 13 points.
“It was a tough competition but my team performed really well and our tactical decisions paid off,” said Hazwan, who was runner-up in the previous leg in Langkawi.
Boulden suffered some ‘brain fades’ on this final day but deemed the overall experience worth it for a repeat appearance.
“It has been a great regatta and more sailors from overseas should take part. I think I will be coming for the next one,” said Boulden, who hails from Perth, Australia.
Teams from the Royal Malaysian Navy took the next three spots with Harisfabillah Muhammat of Navy Only One in third, Ishak Jab (RMN Match Racing Team) in fourth and Mohd Masyuri Rahmat (RMN Match Racing Team 1) in fifth.
“I’m happy with my new team and we are working to improve ourselves further in the next regatta,” said Masyuri, who returned to the local match racing scene after a five-month absence.
Muhammad Haidir Mahat and Team Nessa continued their impressive debut by recording their fourth win of the regatta against the more experienced Masyuri. However, they lost to fellow rookie Mohd Ezhar Othman of Melaka-based Persatuan Perahu Layar Tentera Darat, who will go home with one point and a determination to improve in the next leg.
“I’m very happy with the win, we were able to control the race from the start. It was a good experience and I hope to compete in the next round,” Ezhar said.
Lawrence Yeow, president of the Negeri Sembilan Sailing Association was happy with Team Nessa’s performance and will be sending them to compete in the next leg in Putrajaya.
“I saw that the team had fun and learned what match racing is all about. It is the next stepping stone for my sailors after dinghy sailing and we will support them,” Yeow said.
For their efforts, Hazwan and his team received a prize money of RM6,000, while second and third place pockets RM4,000 and RM3,000 respectively. The fourth and fifth place takes home RM1,000 each. Rozaiham Abdul Rahman of Port Dickson Youth and Sports Department was present to give away the prizes.
Final standings
Champion: Hazwan Hazim Dermawan (hazOne Racing Team)
Runner-up: Will Boulden (UWA)
Third: Harisfabillah Muhammat (Navy Only One)
Fourth: Ishak Jab (RMN Match Racing Team)
Fifth: Mohd Masyuri Rahmat (RMN Match Racing Team 1)
