Wednesday, February 10, 2010

November 20, 2009 15:05 PM

13 Teams In The Fray For Monsoon Cup Berth

KUALA TERENGGANU, Nov 20 (Bernama) -- Thirteen teams including nine new ones will do battle in the Malaysian Monsoon Cup Regatta Challenge (MMRC) for four days beginning Monday at Pulau Duyong here it to earn Malaysia's sole ticket to compete in the prestigious World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) Monsoon Cup sailing competition.

Of the nine new teams in the fray, two are captained by women, namely Nazreen Abdul Gani, 24 of the Asian Yachting Match Racing Team and youngster Nurul Elia Anuar, 18, of the Sail Putrajaya team.

Nurul Elia, in a statement here today, said although the team was new, its members were seasoned sailors and intended to give the others a run for their money.

The plucky lass has been sailing since the age of 10 and has competed in many championships both locally and abroad including the Laser Radial Championship in Portugal and New Zealand.

As for Nazreen, she said this would be a new experience altogether as she would be helming a bigger boat.

"However, it will not be factor that will put us under undue pressure as we are looking forward to the experience," said Nazreen, who won the silver medal in the Laser Radial event at the 2006 Malaysia Games (Sukma).

The the other new teams vying for the berth are Duyong Heritage Sailing Team, Team ViewPoint, Taring Pelangi, Royal Selangor Yatch Club, Club Marina Terengganu, Team Putrajaya Five O and KBS.

The four teams to have seen MMRC action are Koo Racing Team-AC Law, Harimau Selatan (previously known as the Johor Sailing Team), Malaysian Armed Forces 1 and Malaysian Armed Forces 2.

The prevailing inclement weather in Terengganu is expected to pose a major a challenge especially for the debutants.

The MMRC was introduced as a qualifier for the Monsoon Cup to encourage more Malaysians to take up sailing at the highest level. Another of its qualifier is the Asian Match Racing Challenge (AMRC).

The Monsoon Cup, which is the final leg of the WMRT, will be held from Dec 1 to 6 at the same venue.

-- BERNAMA

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