Our Sarawak adventures were fast coming to a close and it was time to prepare for the upcoming Borneo International Yacht Challenge 2009. This event usually starts in Labuan and finishes in Miri but this year it started in Miri with a 100 nm passage race to Labuan followed by a passage race to Kota Kinabalu in Sabah and finished with two day races off KK. It fitted with our time frame so we duly entered and received RM1000 (about A$330) for doing so, plus free marina berth, hotel accommodation and several dinners. A good time to meet other cruising yachties and have some fun. Tweed is not a racing boat but somehow we ended up in Division A with six other boats of differing capabilities and handicaps.We managed to arrive in Labuan just under the 26-hour time limit - the organisers forgot about the south setting current and that perhaps there would not be much wind. We came fourth in our division so no prizes there!! We entered the 'marina' outside the Waterfront Hotel in Labuan. This marina has been constructed since we were there in 2007 and is already breaking up. The original marina, which was breaking up in 2007, is nested inside the new one and although repairs have been undertaken it is breaking up again!! Such a pity that they can't get it right but we don't know who is to blame for this poor construction.
Tweed enjoys a short-lived sail with the 'Flasher' at the start of the Labuan to KK passage race
Half a day in Labuan and a quick trip for duty free before dinner out and then off the next morning on the 68 nm passage race to Kota Kinabalu. Conditions were fairly light to start with but along the way the wind picked up slightly so we were able to sail most of the way resulting in less penalty points and were awarded third place for this leg. Most boats arrived after dark and would have a lay day the next day except for the IYC boats. The lay day was most welcome as we and others had found the pace quite hectic and were pooped!
Two day races were held on Thursday - one in the morning and one in the afternoon - off Kota Kinabalu. The conditions were good with about 15 knots of breeze but we still couldn't fight our way past the two leading boats in our Division so took out third again. We were pleased with that. It had been a great few days but now we could look forward to relaxing a bit.The 4095m peak of Mt Kinabalu, 88km from KK seen from the waters off the sailing club
