Khairulnizam is Langkawi Regatta champion

As predicted, Khairulnizam Mohd Afendy emerged as champion in the Laser Standard category at the Langkawi International Regatta Perdana (LIRP) 2015, which ended here yesterday.

The 21-year-old national sailor collected 21 points after completing 12 races in the event.

Malaysian Yachting Association (MYA) general manager, Mohd Afendy Abdullah said the LIRP 2015 was the final stage for selecting the national sailing squad to compete in the SEA Games in Singapore this June.

He said 32 sailors would be chosen to represent Malaysia at the Games and he was satisfied that those to be listed had put up an impressive performance.

Mohd Afendy said good weather with a wind speed of about 10 knots allowed for smooth races to take place at the regatta.

Thailand's Keerati Bualong who put up a good fight, came out second in the Laser Standard category with 33 points.

Another Malaysian sailor, Ahmad Latif Khan, was third after collecting 34 points.

The women's Laser Radial category saw Thailand's Kamolwan Chanyim emerging as champion after amassing 30 points, while Malaysia's Nur Shazrin Mohd Latif and Khairunneeta Mohd Afendy were second and third after collecting 35 and 36 points, respectively.

In the International 470 category, the Thai pair of Navee Thamsoontorn and Thanapong Kamolvat was tops, obtaining 22 points, followed by Singapore's Darren Choy/Jeremiah Yeo who collected 31 points.

The Malaysian pair of Ku Anas Ku Zamil/Muhd Fauzan Roslan was third with 36 points.

Some 300 sailors from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Hong Kong, India, Bahrain, Kuwait and New Zealand competed in the LIRP 2015.