Kota Kinabalu: Chia Ching Byn and crewmate Kelly Yin captured the International 470 Open title at the 31st Merdeka Day Open Regatta 2026 over the weekend.
The annual event hosted by the Kinabalu Yacht Club in Tanjung Aru, saw Chia, who previously won the 2024 title with a different crew, dethrone last year’s champions, Muhd Afiq Irsyad Adam and Melvin Sikayun to lift the trophy.
Muhd Daniel Iqbal Muhd Samsu and Muhd Aiman Zulkefli finished in third place. In the ILCA Race, Md. Zahimul Hakim Zainal claimed the ILCA 7 overall title, ahead of runners-up Mohd Sahffik Wahid and Mohd Fadzley Nikalaus, while Anaqi Ariffin, Nur Azizul Haqeim Salizam and Muhd Fadzlin Hassan secured the top three spots in the ILCA 6 category.
In the Optimist Race, Izz Qaireen Chairullah clinched the overall title followed by Muhd Fairuz Muhammad and Izz Qasrina Chairullah.
Izz Qaireen also topped the Optimist Division A category, finishing ahead of Chen Xi and Caliph Putra Anas.
Meanwhile, Fairuz secured the Division B title, with Suraya Fatin Najwa Raslan and Yap Wei Lun taking second and third place, respectively.
In Division C, the top three spots went to Izz Qasrina, Khayri Sufyan Kamal Shyukri and Bibi Mya Mohd Faizal.
In the Novice category, Hariz Iman took first place, followed by Siti Aina Abdullah and Datu Muhd Fayyadh Abd Fattah. Qasya Chairullah claimed victory in the Windsurf Open.
Meanwhile, the Stand-Up Paddle long-distance race saw Yoann Martin finish first, ahead of Aprin Singkun and Peterson Nianti. In the women’s division, Lisa Poroting, Reena James and Sheena Melissa Chok secured the top three spots.
This year’s event drew a total of 59 participants and the closing ceremony was officiated by Kota Kinabalu Navy Yacht Club commodore Kamarulzaman Zainul.
