Fenice sets time

The remaining boats in the Eastern Asia Offshore Race arrived on Sunday, the 1st of June, in Tainan – the end of a 350-nautical-mile voyage. Sheltered by the coast of Taiwan, the wind was light, making for a nail-biting catch-and-chase finish for the leaders – Fenice, Parnassus and two Sunfast 3600s, Zesst and 2Easy.

Franco Cutrupia's Solaris 60, Fenice, crossed the line at 0208, recording an elapsed time of 2 days, 14 hours, 48 minutes and 33 seconds, and establishing a benchmark for future competitors to improve on. Fenice also took 1st place in the IRC Cruiser Division.

Team manager, Rosario Pedicini, was thrilled that Fenice had created history. "We are definitely happy to be the first boat across the line. It was very tough for most of the race. We had a lot of rain, there were strong gusts and we lost a halyard. With the boat in top condition, though, everything was fine and we were prepared for the toughest of situations. The team was well organised and we made it, even though it was really challenging in the 30-knot gusts."

One hour later, Parnassus arrived taking 2nd place in the IRC Cruiser Division. Skipper Laurence Hillyer said: "It was pretty testing, and felt like a long, long slog but happy to be out on the other side. For 36 hours, it was heavy on the nose, but we achieved quite a nice day today and managed to crack the sheets a little bit and it was enjoyable."

Less than three hours behind, Henning Mueller's Sunfast 3600, Zesst, finished an impeccable Cat 1 race in an elapsed time of 2 days, 17 hours, 22 minutes and 30 seconds to take the title of IRC Overall Winner.

Mueller was delighted. "It was exciting, exhilarating and very, very tough. The sea state at times was crazy because the waves came from all over the place. It was not smooth. It was hard pounding on the boat all the time. When you were inside the boat, you thought the boat was going to break and I was afraid that the rig would come down. It was really crazy so we were happy to arrive in one piece, despite a minor injury."

Another Sunfast 3600, 2Easy, finished 64 minutes later, claiming 2nd place IRC Overall in their first offshore race. Skipper, Amanda Cheung, only started sailing three years ago during Covid.

Tiger Mok admitted it was tough for his relatively inexperienced crew. "It's not the worst that they've been through, but it was tough. I'm really pleased they stood up to it, acted as a team, and finished the task at hand."

The tailenders had quite a battle on Sunday, around noon. Korean entry, Random(), made good way during the final approach, crossing the finish line at 13:16:30, taking IRC Overall, 3rd place.

Hojun Song could not believe their result. "It was really intense with a lot of choppy waves. We broke one of our stays. As we were coming into this harbour, we thought we were dreaming because we didn't believe we could make the cut-off. But we fought the current, kept our sails close-hauled and stayed focused."

The sole IRC Racer 1 and double-handed entry remaining, Gutsy, of Mondher Latiri and Kent Lo, finished 21 minutes behind Random(), claiming victory in both divisions. Mondher Latiri said: "It was tough, you just couldn't eat, and every time you went down the cockpit, you were being catapulted like a projectile against the bulkhead." But Gutsy is determined to join again. "We look forward to the next challenge once Gutsy is ready."

The inaugural Eastern Asia Offshore Race started in Hong Kong's stunning Victoria Harbour on the 29th of May 2025 at 1120. The race was organised by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, in conjunction with Argo Yacht Club in Tainan, offering competitors a new and exciting offshore destination.

                                                                                                                  – photos Ailsa Angus / RHKYC