Pulau Duyong, Malaysia - 5 October, 2011: The Ri-Yaz Heritage Marina Resort & Spa will be the centre of attention later this week when it hosts arguably the strongest ever line-up of teams for the sixth edition of the annual Malaysian Match Racing Championship (MMRC). The Championship takes place from the 7 – 10 October 2011 and will see eight local sailing teams vie for the sole chance to represent Malaysia at the Monsoon Cup, which will take place from 22–27 November 2011 at the same venue in Terengganu.

Defending MMRC champion, Jeremy Koo, leads the line-up and believes his past experience puts him in good stead to retain his title, however the aspiring match racer is far from complacent: “We know everyone is a potential match for us. We are not taking anyone for granted.”

After losing his title to Koo and dropping to third place last year, 2009 MMRC champion Hazwan Hazim has bought in a new tactician in a bid to redress the balance. With his new tactical teammate, Nik Ashraf Qaedi, on board, he commented: “Our main strategy is to lead from the start, apply some tactics and cover our opponents.”

Winner of the 2008 MMRC, Nurul Ain Md. Isa, also returns to add her name to what is surely one of the Championship’s strongest ever competitor line-ups. Three years ago, Nurul won the MMRC together with Hazwan Hazim and has not competed in the event since that victory. Boosted by a new sponsorship agreement with the Ri-Yaz Heritage Marina Resort & Spa has given her the opportunity to take on her male rivals once again.

The Malaysian Armed Forces are also confident that their two teams, MAF1 and MAF2 will be in the reckoning and will use their experience of competing in the Championships since their inception in 2006 to full effect. The two teams have been sparring partners to rack up practice hours and boost confidence.

Two family based teams are also competing in the 2011 Championships. Mohd Affendy, the General Manager of the Malaysian Yachting Association (MYA), leads Team Affendy while Melaka Negeriku Sayang will be skippered by Ahmad Khairulhafiz Ahmad Khmbali. Both teams bring a wealth of experience to the event – Mohd Affendy has participated in many events including the Malaysia Challenge, Raja Muda Regatta, Royal International Regatta, King Cup, Top of the Gulf, Sail the Gulf, Straits Singapore Regatta amongst others while Ahmad has over 10 years of experience under his belt.

Completing the eight team line up is Mohd Romzi Muhamad’s Putra Sailing Team, which will be powered by a host of national sailors. Mohd Romzi Muhamad has competed around the world in Japan, Korea, China, France, Doha and USA in the dinghy classes and believes the key to success this week will be sound teamwork and making the correct technical calls.

All the action begins tomorrow when the teams arrive at Pulau Duyong for registration and training.

The Asian Match Racing Championship will follow the Malaysian Match Racing Championship from 12^th –15^th October, with both winners automatically securing a spot at the Monsoon Cup, which is the final leg of the ISAF World Match Racing Tour.

MMRC Line-up:
Jeremy Koo – Koo Racing Team (Selangor)
Mohd Afendy Abdullah – Team Afendy (Kedah)
M. Zaidi Pardi @ Mat Amin – MAF1 (TLDM)
Masyuri Rahmat – MAF2 (TLDM)
Mohd Romzi Muhamad – Putra Sailing Team (Malaysian Yachting Association)
Hazwan Hazim – Permai Hotel Match Racing Team (Perak)
Ahmad Khairulhafiz Ahmad Khmbali – Melaka Negeriku Sayang (Malacca)
Nurul Ain Md. Isa – Ri-Yaz Heritage Sailing Team (Perak)