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SailAsia Darwin-Bali-Langkawi Yacht Rally 2005 On Nov 10

As the country is promoting marine tourism, a new international sailing event will be held in Langkawi as the preferred sailing destination, next month.
Tourism Minister Datuk Dr Leo Michael Toyad said participants of the SailAsia Darwin-Bali-Langkawi Yacht Rally 2005 would spend a week in Langkawi from Nov 10.
A total of 57 yachts carrying 150 sailors from 20 countries would be congregating at the Telaga Harbour Park in the island until Nov 16.
Speaking to reporters here, he said marketing the region of Australia and Asean would provide a value-added approach as Asean alone had a variety of attractions.
Participants, he said, would have the opportunity to experience Hari Raya Aidifitri and Deepavali open house as well as tour the island.
The event date has been chosen to coincide with the Raja Muda International Regatta, Malaysia'own annual sailing event on Nov 26.
Although the rally ends on Nov 16, most of the sailors would extend their stay as the rally was not a race, the minister said.
SailAsia Sdn Bhd Managing Director Alastair Campbell said the event would be an annual one as the company, which is the organiser of the event, had secured the rights for the next 10 years and it would also be put on the international sailing calendar.
The yacht rally started from Darwin, Australia on July 23 and would have made the full journey covering over 2,000 nautical miles touring through the Indonesian archipelago, Singapore, Melaka Strait and Langkawi.
Campbell said the company planned to organise a rally possibly from Doha to Langkawi next year.
He said all safety and security measures had been taken to ensure the participants' safe voyage.
"They will not allow the terrorism threat to stop them from coming to this region," he said.

Langkawi 2005-10-25