SIMANGGANG: Cahaya Putri Ruai 8 was crowned Benak King (literally tidal bore king) after winning in the final of Sakai 30 during the 18th edition of Pesta Benak here last Sunday.
The team, led by Captain Roslan Bujang, received RM5,000, the Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud Round Cup, a trophy and local rice.
The final race was so competitive that in the end it was a photo-finish.
Prior to coming down for the Sakai 30 final, the team also won the Sakai 15 final through its No.1 boat, while the runner-up and third places respectively went to Khazanah 2 (Kadir Manap) and Barracuda.
The Sakai 15 top prize was RM1,200 cash plus the Community Wellbeing Assistant Minister Datuk Francis Harden Hollis Round Cup, trophy and local rice.
Bujang Berani 2 owned by Lingga assemblywoman, Simoi Peri, had to settle for Sakai 30 runner-up position. The prizes were RM3,000 cash, a trophy and local rice.
Third place was secured by Bintang Seduku owned by Sarawak State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion. The prizes were RM2,500 cash, a trophy and local rice.
All the prizes were presented by Harden in the presence of Sri Aman Resident Indit Bangai.
As for the Sakai 25 race, the top prize went to Barracuda 9 owned by Beting Maro assemblyman Razaili Gapor. The prize was RM2,000 cash.
In second and third places were Bujang Berani 13 and Mahkota Dewa Gedong respectively.
In the Sakai 20 race, Bujang Berani 10 emerged the top winner while Bujang Berani 9 and Barracuda 9 won second and third places respectively.
For the record, the previous ‘benak’ kings were Mahkota Dewa Gedong (2018), Bujang Simanggang (2017), Landas (2016) and Sinaran Ratu Siska (2015).
