Malaysia welcomes the SailAsia Darwin-Bali-Langkawi Yacht Rally 2005 to Langkawi Island on November 10 – 16, 2005.

The yacht rally started from Darwin, Australia on 23 July. A total of 57 yachts carrying 150 sailors of 20 different nationalities are congregating at the Telaga Harbour Park in Langkawi on 10 November.

A week-long programme of festivities will be held on the island to commemorate the last leg of their journey which covered two continents and four countries comprising Australia, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia.

The rally’s participants will join various tours and cultural activities including the Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house celebration. They also have the opportunity to watch the Raja Muda International Regatta, Malaysia’s own annual sailing event on 26 November 2005.

Organiser SailAsia Sdn Bhd aims to develop a greater interest in maritime activities among the Malaysian public. The event is expected to carve a niche in yachting tourism for Malaysia.

The yacht rally is open to those who started from Darwin and those located along the navigational route to Langkawi. To date 57 yachts have registered for the week-long event in Langkawi – 53 from Darwin (69 started from Darwin), and four from Singapore. The registration is still open but will close at 80.

Telaga Harbour Park Langkawi is the official venue for the whole event.

The SailAsia Yacht Rally will be an annual event. The rally is endorsed and supported by the Ministry of Tourism, the Kedah State Government and the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA).