Langkawi, Malaysia, is once again hosting the Royal Langkawi International Regatta (RLIR) 2024, marking a significant milestone as the event celebrates its 20th edition. Scheduled from January 15th to 20th, the regatta is set to position Malaysia, and particularly Langkawi, as a premier sailing destination in Southeast Asia.

This year’s RLIR, held at the prestigious Royal Langkawi Yacht Club, guarantees a thrilling contest with 33 boats and over 250 participants from around the globe. The event draws teams from Malaysia, Thailand, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, the USA, Japan, Hong Kong, New Zealand, China, and Vietnam, showcasing a diverse and international fleet.

The Royal Langkawi International Regatta (RLIR) will see competition in 7 classes – Racing, IRC1, IRC2, Multihull, Sports Boats, Club Class and Ocean Rover/White Sail. The winners of each class will be awarded the following prestigious trophies, namely: the Prime Minister’s Challenge Trophy (Racing class), LADA-IRC Challenge Trophy (IRC 1 class), RLIR-IRC 2 Challenge Trophy (IRC 2 class), the Commodore’s Challenge Cup (Club class), the Langkawi Sports Trophy (Sports Boat class) and Malaysia Multihull Challenge Cup (Multihull class).

A unique aspect of the RLIR is the Tunku Abdullah Sportsmanship Award, recognizing the team that exemplifies exceptional sportsmanship both on water and land. This award highlights the regatta’s commitment to fostering a spirit of fair play and camaraderie among participants.

The RLIR 2024 is not just a sporting event; it’s a significant contributor to sports tourism in Malaysia. By attracting sailing enthusiasts and spectators from across the world, the regatta boosts local tourism and highlights Langkawi’s natural beauty and sailing conditions.

The event’s success is attributed to its strong partnerships and sponsors, including the Belt and Road Regatta (BRR), Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), the Kedah State Government, and several corporate sponsors. These collaborations underscore the event’s importance in the international sailing calendar.

Media coverage by partners are Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), TRAXXfm, HOMME, Sea Yachting, and Digital Vision Advertising (DVA).

Supported by the Malaysia Sailing Association (MSA), World Sailing, and the Aseanarean Bluewater Alliance, the RLIR 2024 is more than a competition; it’s a celebration of sailing, sportsmanship, and international unity. As the regatta sails into its 20th edition, it continues to enhance Malaysia’s reputation in the world of sailing and sports tourism.

For more information, kindly visit www.langkawiregatta.com.