The Borneo International Yacht Challenge

The Borneo International Yacht Challenge 2014

The Borneo International Yacht Challenge is a world-class sailing event off the coast of Borneo, covering some of the most scenic routes on unpredictable waters.

The yachts set sail from Miri Marina via duty-free Labuan and Eastern Malaysia, and finally hit the coast at Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, which is one of the most beautiful destinations in this region. In its 11th season since the first one was flagged off in 2003, this Category 3 event is open to cruise boats, sports and race boats, classic sail boats and ocean multi-hull boats, drawing an interesting mix of participants each year. This year’s challenge – scheduled to take place from the 14th to the 21st of June reportedly – has been timed to fall in line with the “Sail Malaysia Passage To the East” rally, hoping to entice several long-distance cruisers into the exciting race.

The Borneo International Yacht Challenge, in its true sense, may seem more a rally than a formal race, with boats of different types vying for the top spot, decided based on the time taken to complete the five different stages – the Miri-Labuan Race, Miri Bay Regatta, Labuan-Kota Kinabalu Race, the Labuan Harbour Regatta, and the KK Bay Regatta.

This yachting challenge is all about casual cruisers involved in a friendly race, making new friends and enjoying the scenic beauty of the locale. Cruise boats that sign up for The Borneo International Yacht Challenge are offered special entry packages that often include free air-conditioned hotel accommodations and berthing, just to name a few privileges. Another interesting fact is that sailors are permitted to use advanced navigational systems – including auto-steering equipment – to guide their yachts along the planned route.

As of date, about eight participants have already registered for the event – the mix of boats comprising three multihulls, three cruisers, and a couple of Class 1 racing crafts. Going by historical data, it is expected that more long-range cruisers – who could be visiting this region by mid-June – may register for the event when they get here.

The Borneo International Yacht Challenge – along with the sea race from Hong Kong to San Fernando (Philippines), the Koh Samui Regatta (Thailand), and President’s Cup (Philippines) – is simply a great way to logically complete the exploration of the South China Sea.