Monsoon Spring 1

A maritime airstream affecting the coastal areas of southern China recently brought change to Hong Kong's weather and Saturday, the 1st of March, was humid and warm — a reminder that spring is on the way. Better still for sailors, the prevailing northeast monsoon and a cold front moving south are bringing favourable winds and there are days, even weeks, of Force 4-5 conditions predicted. The first race of the Hebe Haven Yacht Club's Monsoon Spring Series 2025 caught the beginning of this new weather system . . . at least during the early hours of the afternoon.

Looking at her PredictWind charts, race officer Frances Hurley was confident that inside Port Shelter there would be between 6 and 8 knots of easterly to start with. This would later swing to the northeast. She had a selection of  seven courses for consideration but wanted one with a worthwhile beat. Thus, making a final decision would have to wait until the committee boat, Hebe One, dropped anchor.

Out in Port Shelter, the light was affected by low cloud and the University was shrouded in fog. Not a great day for photography but at least there was wind. Twenty boats had entered the series and the RO was confident there would be a good turnout. She was right, as 18 boats circled Hebe One, waiting for their instructions and course numbers.

Assisting the RO was experienced race official, Sara Houghton, along with Queenie Ho. Also on board was Jamie Xiong, secretary general of the China Cup International Regatta and frequent observer at local sailing events.

The RO gave due consideration to her selected island courses but, given the conditions, decided on another option — Course 71. There would be one start for IRC and J/80s, and one start for PHS. All three divisions would sail the same course.

After welcoming everyone and thanking the event's sponsors, the RO prepared for the starts. At precisely 1300, four IRC speedsters and four J/80s swept across the line in a clean start with Ocean's Five taking an early lead. Five minutes later, 10 spirited PHS entries started their race with stalwarts Minnie the Moocher and Ichiban showing the others what they are capable of.

Course 71 takes in Basalt Island, a club mark, Trio and Table Islands, with a finish at Little Palm Beach. Its approximate length is 12 nautical miles and there are plenty of places to shorten course.

Leaving Basalt Island to starboard, Ocean's Five performed magnificently and was soon powering towards Trio, working its big kite in the muggy conditions. Sadly, though, the breeze was beginning to die and the race committee began to consider shortening course. Wind readings from around the course suggested that, before too long, the wind would be 2 or 3 knots and therefore a problem for the tail enders.

Hurley made the decision to shorten course and finish everybody off Trio Island as the wind was disappearing fast. First boat home at just after three o'clock was the ARC40, Ocean's Five, helmed by Hugues de Saint Germaine and his 'orange' crew. Manbude followed. On handicap, the order was the same with Rex Tan's Saturday Again in 3rd.

The J/80 division was won by the Nansha Sailing Association's Baring Asia 1 in two hours, 21 minutes and 53 seconds. In 2nd place was Baring Asia 2 with Jelik 7 in 3rd.

The PHS division suffered some attrition with Harpseal and Noah being agonisingly close to the finish line, but not being able to make the 1700 cut-off. Scrumpy retired. On the bright side, Simon Lynch's Bucaphalus was first home to clinch line and handicap honours. Coral Harbour filled 2nd place and Baby Beluga, 3rd.

The next race in the Monsoon Spring Series 2025 will be held on Saturday, the 15th of March 2025.