Monsoon Spring 5 & 6

There were doubts that racing on Saturday, the 13th of April 2025, would go ahead. The Observatory was predicting Force 4-5 and even Force 7 offshore. A decision would have to be made early on Day 4 of the Monsoon Spring Series 2025. Sailing Centre Manager, Rob Allen, held his nerve, though, and at 1100 assembled his officials on Hebe One to give them their tasks and instructions for the final two races of the series – Races 5 & 6.

The Monsoon Spring Series 2025 began on the 1st of March and attracted 18 boats for an islands race. Races 2 & 3 – windward / leewards – were held on the 15th of March while Race 4, another islands race, took place on the 22nd of March. The final day's racing would be another two windward / leewards inside Port Shelter.

Race officer, Frances Hurley, told her team that it was going to be rough and it would be a good idea to take seasick tablets before leaving the dock. "It's blowing 10 to 13 knots from the southwest," she said, adding that there might only be one race if the weather got worse, or there was lightning.

"It is the sole responsibility of the skipper to race or not," she added, "but we also don't want to be towing boats back home. We'll leave that to the Marine Police.

"At this stage, without checking what it's like out there, I'm thinking of Course 2 for everyone. Keep it simple, especially if we have to leave in a hurry. Finally, there will be a day and series prize-giving back in the Garden Bar when the results for Races 5 & 6 are ready," she said.

After motoring out of Hebe Haven, the committee boat came to a rest in the northeastern quadrant of Port Shelter. Hurley sent out the support staff to lay the A1 and A2 marks in the direction of Silverstrand, and the C mark in front of Hebe One.

The plan was for two races of under one hour each, preferably 45 minutes. Each race would consist of two laps. "But if the wind blows consistently for five minutes at 25 knots, then we are advised to can it. This is from World Sailing Guidelines," she said.

To the northwest, over Cham Tin Shan and the Ho Chung Valley, the sky was dark and foreboding. Time to get moving and get at least one race in for the 18 boats that had showed up.

At 1300, the horn sounded for two IRC boats, four J/80s and two Sportsboats. Goddess passed close to the committee boat while Baring Asia 1 and Jazz were in close contention further down the line. The VX One, One Dragon, also had a good start and all eight entries were soon on their way to their top marks.

Five minutes later, at 1305, the lively IRC/ORC fleet crossed the line. Ma Cherie S had quite a struggle finding clear air but eventually emerged to pursue the frontrunners, Blu and Bucephalus. MoHan, with its longer waterline, surged ahead while Minnie the Moocher showed some slick teamwork heading in the direction of Silvermine Bay.

First boat home was the Nansha Sailing Association (Baring Asia 1) with Franky Tsang calling the shots. Their elapsed time was an impressive 39 minutes and 7 seconds. Tsang and crew also took handicap honours in the J/80 class. In 2nd place was Second Power (Jazz) and 3rd, MNOG Sailing (Jelik 7).

Goddess won the IRC division ahead of Rex Tan's Saturday Again. The Hebe Haven Yacht Club's very own One Dragon won its class. Better luck next time, Merlin!

Blu comfortably won both line and handicap honours in the PHS/ORC division with Minnie the Moocher making it home four minutes later. On handicap, though, Minnie was relegated to 7th. Filling the 2nd slot was the Sailability entry, MoHan, and 3rd, Bucephalus.

Then it was time to consider the final race. Would it be over before the approaching storm could unleash its fury on the fleet? A definite no, said race manager, Rob Allen. "Race 6 abandoned, head back to your club as quickly as possible."

Back in the Garden Bar, sailors gathered under cover as the rain poured down. The MC, once again, Rob Allen, got everyone in the mood and, at 1630, began announcing prize winners for both Race 5 and the full series.

Goddess was crowned IRC winner of the series, with a final score of 18 points. Saturday Again, the plucky Impala, came in a close 2nd with 20 points. In 3rd, with 35 points, came Ocean's Five. What a shame owner Hugues de Saint Germain didn't race the full series – Ocean's Five won Race 1 and Race 4 but didn't take part in the other three races. Quel dommage.

The J/80 winner of the Monsoon Spring Series 2025 was Nansha Sailing Association in Baring Asia 1. Almost a clean sweep as Franky Tsang and his Mainland crew notched up four 1st places and one 2nd. First Order (Baring Asia 2) filled the 2nd position and Second Power (Jazz), 3rd.

The Ker 11.3, Minnie the Moocher, easily won the PHS/ORC Division, with 14 points. Bucephalus in 2nd scored 23 points – what a shame they retired in Race 4. In 3rd for the series was Beluga. They also retired in Race 4.

And that concluded the Monsoon Spring Series for 2025.