The qualifying round of Liga Layar Malaysia (LLM) Port Dickson stage continued today with current scoreboard leader Hazwan Hazim Dermawan and hazOne Racing Team ending the day in first place. Hazwan completed the first round robin stage with four points and then won all six races in the second round robin.
“We had a tough time today but we managed to apply some techniques learned from other more experienced sailors, especially the navy teams, and that helped us,” said Hazwan.
Team UWA, skippered by Will Boulden, also dominated to finish the day in second place. The young Australian had some difficulties in the afternoon when the wind speed dropped from what he is used to but managed to keep his position on the board when he won five of his six races, losing only to Hazwan.
“We are focusing more on the processes and not so much on the outcome at this stage. Tomorrow, we’ll just go out and do more of the same, try to keep it clean,” Boulden said.
Harisfabillah Muhammat at the helm of Navy Only One moved up to third today with a total of eight points while former teammate Mohd Masyuri Rahmat of RMN Match Racing Team 1 is fourth with six points. Another navyman Ishak Jab of RMN Match Racing Team had a bad day at the office when he won only one of six races in the second round robin stage to finish with five points in fifth place.
“I didn’t put a high aim coming into this regatta but I’m happy with the teamwork and we have improved a lot so I think we can do much better tomorrow,” said Masyuri.
Newcomer Muhammad Haidir Mahat with Team Nessa meanwhile recorded a surprise win over Ishak and overcame another rookie team led by Mohd Ezhar Othman of Persatuan Perahu Layar Tentera Darat to score three points. Ezhar is still without a win in his first match racing campaign.
“I was very happy with the win (against Ishak). We had a good start and managed to keep our lead while focusing on the shifts in wind and current state,” Muhammad Haidir said.
A third round robin is scheduled for tomorrow, followed by the finals.
Round-robin standings after 22 flights
Hazwan Hazim Dermawan (hazOne Racing Team) – 10 points
Will Boulden (UWA) – 10 points
Harisfabillah Muhamat (Navy Only One) – 8 points
Mohd Masyuri Rahmat (RMN Match Racing Team 1) – 6 points
Ishak Jab (RMN Match Racing Team) – 5 points
Muhammad Haidir Mahat (Team Nessa) – 3 points
Mohd Ezhar Othman (Persatuan Perahu Layar Tentera Darat) – 0 points
About Liga Layar Malaysia
The Liga Layar Malaysia (LLM) is a league format match-sailing competition that was conceptualized to give an opportunity to local sailors to gain exposure through competitions held in various states in the country. Since its inception, there has been an improvement in the Malaysian sailing industry in terms of public interest and support, facilities, number of instructors, sailors and sailing training centres.
This year, the LLM will be held at 8 different locations, namely Pulau Indah, Selangor; Lumut, Perak; Pulau Langkawi, Kedah; Putrajaya, Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan; Taman Metropolitan Kepong, Kuala Lumpur; Pulau Duyong, Terengganu and Johor. The winner of each LLM leg will take home RM6,000 in prize purse, second and third place pockets RM4,000 and RM3,000 respectively while fourth and fifth place takes home RM1,000 each.
