Autumn Regatta

The BMW Autumn Regatta got underway in Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour in rainy conditions on Sunday, the 8th of September 2024, with 4 to 5 knots of easterly breeze, officially kick-starting the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club's 2024-2025 sailing season.

Traditionally a two-day event, the first day was cancelled due to Super Typhoon Yagi – Asia's strongest storm this year, skirting past Hong Kong a few days earlier. Due to Yagi's influence, the club was left with insufficient time to release boats from their typhoon ties and safely launch fleets ready for racing on Saturday.

Eighty-eight boats took part, despite the heavy showers during the day. The first classes to get started were Big Boats 0, 1, 2 and 3, followed by the Sportsboats and the seven one-design classes. All classes took part in two races with the start off Hung Hom followed by a beat up the harbour to Shau Kei Wan or Tai Koo Shing. Once around the marks, the fleets hoisted their kites, headed back to Hung Hom or Kowloon Bay and, after completing their respective courses, crossed the line off the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal.

It was a day of challenging conditions and race management having to deal with 10 starts, whilst the wind speed oscillated between 2 to 8 knots; definitely a challenge in low wind and patchy conditions. The breeze shut down completely after the last fleet – the Dragons – started at 1400.  After more rain, race officer Barry Truhol shortened course at Hung Hom for the Dragons, Flying Fifteens, Pandoras, Ruffians and Impalas.

Truhol was pleased that there was enough wind to get the regatta going. "When I went out to do a wind check this morning, there was zero breeze at Shau Kei Wan and only 3 to 4 knots at Gate Buoy – it was not looking good. When we arrived at Hung Hom, there was about 4 to 5 knots from the east, just enough to get the boats going. All classes were sent on shorter courses that lasted an hour, or an hour and 15 minutes. However, for the next race the wind played havoc with everything, so we decided to shorten course at Dock Buoy for some classes and keep the rest going. Each race ended up lasting about an hour and a half and everyone was back in the bar by 1630. So, I hope they're all happy."

In the Big Boat divisions, Noel Chan's TP52, Rampage 88, Henning Mueller's Zesst, Dean Chisholm's Darling and Alfred Lau's Easy Breezy II, took the overall wins. For the One Designs, Dragons – Celine, Etchells – Gunga Din, Flying Fifteens – Second Wind, Impalas – Taxi,  J/80s – Footloose, Pandoras – Solstice and Ruffians – Victory 9 and Sportsboats – Phoenix, lifted the silverware in their respective classes.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Photos – Guy Nowell / RHKYC