Monsoon Winter 5 & 6

'Force 4-5, occasionally 6'. Going by what the Observatory and Wind Guru were saying, wind was almost guaranteed for Saturday, the rest of the weekend and well into the next week. That meant lots to look forward to and the 23 boats that showed up for Races 5 & 6 of the Monsoon Winter Series 2024 were met with 16 knots from the northeast and gusts into the 20s.

By the way, 33 boats signed up for the series – the 10 boats that didn't show up will surely be regretting it.

Out in Port Shelter, the sea was sparkling. Overhead the sky was blue with strips of white cloud. Crews were reefing sails and going through safety procedures. In these conditions, things can go wrong very quickly and you need backup plans when, for example, dealing with entangled fishing nets or broken steering gear. Happily, despite minor incidents and Zoe's Guard retiring, nothing serious occurred.


By the way, Race 6 would be the last in the Hebe Haven Yacht Club's 2024 racing programme. Traditionally this is celebrated with Christmas decorations and sailors wearing Santa hats. Harpseal and Zoe's Guard rose to the occasion with some of the best onboard decorations and crew gear on record. Great stuff, guys!

At the briefing, race officer, Queenie Ho, told support staff she was planning on windward / leewards for everyone although the faster boats would be doing two laps, the slower boats, one. First start would be the J/80s followed by PHS A / ORC and finally, PHS B.

Out in the bay, an orange flag was raised at 1250 and the RO made her welcome speech. She told everyone that the J/80s would start first and follow Course 2. Second start would be PHS A / ORC and they would also do Course 2. The PHS B boats were given Course 1 (with options for the second race of the day). Given the conditions, she was estimating an hour for each – as it turned out, all boats recorded elapsed times of under one hour. Finally, she gave thanks to Breezy Marine, Ullman Sails and Carlsberg for their sponsorship and support of the series.


There would be no black marks – orange, yellow and white only. The top mark was laid at 355°, approximately 0.9 nautical miles from the start line. Over near Little Palm Beach, kiteboarders were whizzing back and forth in a breath-taking display of athleticism and speed. The Dragons were holding an event near the University while youngsters in Quests and Fusions trained hard at the entrance to Hebe Haven. A very busy day for sailors, indeed.

At 1300 sharp, three J/80s bounced across the start line. They were in for a wet ride but sailors are a hardy breed and a dousing is the least of their worries when navigating a geometric course in a one design with low freeboard.

At 1305, twelve PHS A / ORC boats careered through their five-minute starting sequence yet everyone managed to cross the line cleanly despite the choppy waters and blustery breeze.

Last away, at 1310, were the five boats in PHS B. Wind reading – 18 knots on Hebe One, the committee boat. There are some noticeably 'up-and-coming' entries in this division. Boats like Noah, Coral Harbour and Marmalade are ones to watch.


The VX One, Pawley, and James Ford's Ocean's Five, romped around Course 2 to finish in that order in PHS A / ORC, with Team Hebe Dragons in 3rd.

 The J/80s saw some interesting duels but in the final tally it was Nansha Sailing (Jive) in 1st, followed by Blue Water Sailing Club (Jazz) in 2nd and First Order (Baring Asia 2) bringing up the rear.

The promising and competitive PHS B division saw Noah take the honours. In 2nd place, from Kwun Tong, came Voyages 53 helmed by Zheng Xiaoling and in 3rd, Ming Lou's Coral Harbour.

Not wanting to waste any time, at 1345, the RO and event support manager, Rob Allen, decided on the J/80s and PHS A / ORC starting together at 1410. But because they'd sailed a shorter course and finished earlier, PHS B were sent off earlier at 1350. What's more, they would be doing two laps of Course 1. The wind at this point was 18 knots with gusts in the mid 20s.

Both starts were clean and, apart from a Dragon wandering onto the course near the C mark, all three divisions enjoyed competitive racing in some of the most exhilarating conditions.


In 1st place on handicap in the J/80s was Blue Water Sailing Club (Jazz), ahead of Nansha Marine (Jive) and MNOG Sailing (Jelik 6), 3rd.

The PHS A / ORC division was again claimed by Eliot Cargile and crew on the VX One, Pawley. The determined keelboat entry, Ocean's Five, recorded a 2nd and Bucephalus, 3rd. Sadly, Zoe's Guard retired.

In a surprising change of order, Marmalade beat off all opposition to claim victory in the PHS B division. Noah placed 2nd and, another surprise, Spaceship, placed 3rd.

Last boat home was Stingray at 15:08:33. And that concluded the Monsoon Winter Series for this year.

Back in the Garden Bar, the prize-giving saw Overall awards made for achievement in the six-race series. After discarding Race 4, Jason Chan and crew in Baring Asia 2 won the J/80 division. The club's rear commodore sailing, Bridget Chan, and her polished crew in Minnie the Moocher, won PHS A / ORC with a tally of 17 points, ahead of Ocean's Five with 18 points. PHS B division Overall was won by up-and-coming sailors Frank Tan and Gary Leung in Noah.

The award presentations were followed by a buffet, wrapping up a well-organised Monsoon Winter Series 2024. Roll on 2025.

 
   
 
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