Char Chan at the 2026 Royal Langkawi International Regatta. Photo ⓒ Andy Leong.
The 22nd Royal Langkawi International Regatta, held from January 20–24 with a practice race on the 19th, delivered a week of thrilling racing under ideal winds and sunshine in the Andaman Sea. Among the standout performers were Char Chan, skippered by Kazuki Kihara, and Mata Hari, skippered by Vincent Chan—both proud UK Sailmakers customers.
Racing in the Lada-IRC class, Char Chan took on the week with an X-Drive Carbon sail inventory from UK Sailmakers Japan, while Mata Hari relied on the performance and durability of Titanium upwind sails and Matrix spinnakers from UK Sailmakers Hong Kong. Both teams showedexceptional skill and resilience, pushing each other and the rest of the fleet to the limit.
Mata Hari and Char Chan at the 2026 Royal Langkawi International Regatta. Photos ⓒ Andy Leong.
After six consecutive wins, Char Chan faced a dramatic challenge on Day 3 when a rudder failure threatened to derail their campaign. Demonstrating remarkable grit, the team repaired the boat and returned to the racecourse to defend their lead. In the end, Char Chan held off Mata Hari to secure the Lada-IRC Challenge Trophy, while Mata Hari finished a well-earned second place.
Jeremy Koo of UK Sailmakers Hong Kong, who sailed aboard Mata Hari, reflected on the experience:
“Hats off to Team Char Chan—back-to-back IRC1 champions. You’ve set the bar high, and we respect that. We didn’t win, but we raced with heart, skill, and purpose. Our teamwork was tight, our trim sharp, and our spirit unbreakable. Thank you, Team Mata Hari, for having me—it’s an honor to sail alongside you guys. This year, we learned. Next year, we lead.”
The regatta itself was a spectacular showcase of sailing in the region, with 34 boats from 12 countries competing across multiple classes. Teams battled the tactical demands of the Andaman Sea, against a backdrop of stunning island cliffs and turquoise waters.
Google Maps view indicating the location of the Andaman Sea.
For UK Sailmakers, watching our customers perform at this level and demonstrating both the strength of our sails and the skill of the skippers and crew who use them was a proud highlight of the event. Congratulations to Char Chan and Mata Hari for representing UK Sailmakers with distinction, and we look forward to more championship-level action next year!
The Char Chan and Mata Hari teams celebrate at the 2026 Royal Langkawi International Regatta Awards. Photos ⓒ Andy Leong.
