30 October, 2012 - K Terengganu, Malaysia: Terengganu State Tourism, Culture, Art and Heritage Committee Chairman YB Dato’ Abdul Rahin bin Mohd Said is confident this year’s Monsoon Cup will be the biggest and most exciting ever. He announced this at the launch of the Terengganu Sailing Month at a press conference in Wisma Darul Iman today.

“This is the first time we have initiated a whole month of sailing activities for the public, amateur sailors and professionals alike. We have worked with Tbest Events, the organizers of the Monsoon Cup and believe these events will further promote the interest of the public in sailing,” said Dato’ Abdul Rahin.

KFC Monsoon Regatta, organized by the Terengganu Sailing Association in partnership with the Malaysian Yachting Association will kick off the Terengganu Sailing Month when it takes place on 8-11 November at Pulau Warisan, Terengganu. More than 140 athletes from all over the country will take part in the various classes contested, including Optimist, Laser, International 420 and Windsurfing.

Following that, the public is in for a feat when they are given a chance to experience for themselves the exhilaration of sailing on the Foundation 36, the same yachts used by world class professionals sailors in the Monsoon Cup. Anyone interested in enjoying an afternoon of sailing can simply go to the marina at Ri-Yaz Heritage Marina Resort & Spa on 16 and 17 November for the “Try Sailing” programme.

A special Monsoon Cup edition of the popular Heritage Bay Cup (HBC) themed “Champion of Champions” is all set to take place on 23 November. This local event, first organized in 2008 is in its fifth year and has a steady stream of amateur participants waiting to try their hand at racing on the Foundation 36s. Past champions of the HBC namely TESDEC, Duyong Heritage, Ri-Yaz Heritage, ABMT and AG-ing are expected to participate.

MOTOUR Tourism Cup, a special sailing event organized by the Terengganu Tourism Office for its key players in the tourism industry follows HBC on 24 November. This year, a record number of 10 teams will take part in this event that aims to further promote the Monsoon Cup.

The big bang before the Monsoon Cup is the final stage of the Malaysian Match Racing Circuit, (MMRC) which will take place on 28-30 November. After three stages of competition which kicked off in early May this year, Jeremy Koo (KFC Malaysia/KRT) and Masyuri Rahmat (Royal Malaysian Navy Match Racing Team 1) will face in Pulau Duyong for the chance to be the sole Malaysian representative at the Monsoon Cup.

Dato’ Wan Hisham Wan Salleh, Director of Tbest Events said he expects more than 150,000 fans to flock to the Monsoon Cup. “Last year, 159,624 fans flocked to the Monsoon Cup but we are expecting more this year. The KarnivalMonsoon 7 Daerah has been a resounding success as it is helping to create an awareness of the Monsoon Cup and brings the event to the people all across Terengganu. We hope to attract more locals to the main event happening from Dec 3-8 with this teaser karnival roadshow.

“We are delighted that the state government of Terengganu has initiated this sailing month programme that targets all segments of sailing fans. This will definitely increase the interest of sailing in the state. Ibelieve sailing will become a culture in Terengganu and look forward to seeing other states follow in the steps taken by Terengganu” said Dato’ Wan Hisham who is also the Vice President of the Malaysian Yachting Association.