Summer 1

"We've got 8 knots from the east, 105 degrees to be exact," said assistant race officer, Jono Slattery. He was reading his wind vane on the top deck of Shun Fung, the committee boat. There were clouds over Repulse Bay and further south towards Chung Hom Kok but, directly overhead, large patches of blue gave hope for Sunday, the 1st of June. Would it turn out to be the perfect day for the first race of the Aberdeen Boat Club's Summer Series? Twelve boats were about to find out.

The keelboat races for the club's summer sailing programme have been designed to end near popular seafood restaurants. "Works perfectly," said one veteran. "Race hard, sweat buckets and top it all with piles of steamed prawns, deep fried squid and plenty of Tsingtao beer. Way to go!" According to many, the favoured restaurants are some of the best in the Greater Bay Area – Ming Kee on Po Toi, Lamma Hilton in Sok Kwu Wan, New Baccarat on Cheung Chau's waterfront and Fat Kee in Po Toi O. Furthermore, they're yachtie-friendly with some even providing ferry services.

Lunches usually include an informal prize-giving, with lots of banter, cheering and laughter as bottles of wine are presented to winners and achievers by the race officer of the day.

As the start of Race 1 approached, race officer Alex Johnston gave his welcome on VHF. "Today, the IRC divisions will be doing Course 34 (L) and the PHS divisions, Course 34 (S). Once finished, make your ways to Ming Kee Restaurant on Po Toi – eight tables have been reserved."

At 1020, the orange flag was raised and Johnston reflected on his choice of courses. "At 12.2 nautical miles, that's the longest I've got to get them to Po Toi for lunch. With an incoming tide, that should be three hours of racing. I'm sure they'll be happy with that."

The countdown for IRC began at 1025 and a gun at 1030 saw five boats in two divisions glide across a  start line shorter than usual. Five minutes later, seven boats in two PHS divisions, set off in another clean start, heading directly for the gap between Round Island and the Cheshire Home. No windward mark.

Chesterman Gate up next as the fleets made their ways towards Beaufort Island in the easterly breeze. Back with a flourish, was the Banner 41, Intrigue. Readers may remember this regular campaigner in club events lost its rudder not long after the start of Race 2 in the Waglan Series last year.

Sadly, still struggling to reach the start line was the unfortunate Shun Shui. Felix Mak and crew were not having a good day and the 34-foot Bavaria only started racing at 1040. Later, Mak sensibly retired from the race.

Shun Fung upped anchor at 1050 and caught up with the leaders off Bluff Head. IRC entries Witchcraft and Next were about to tack through Lo Chau Mun between Beaufort and Po Toi islands. Their next mark was Sung Kong and then back through the gap.

Not far behind, Triple A and Sea Eagle were putting in a good performance as they chased the IRC boats, leaving Beaufort to port and rounding Fury Rocks, before returning through Lo Chau Mun.

At 1215, club support staff laid a finish line just to the south of Castle Rock. Shun Fung dropped anchor and, at 1230, raised a blue flag. Sai Fuk was sent off in the club's sampan to get wind readings along the northern side of Po Toi. "Eight to nine knots from 100 degrees," was his VHF reply. Strangely, the ARO's online readings were 2 knots at Waglan.

Nevertheless, at precisely 1300, four spinnakers appeared at the northeast entrance to the gap, Intrigue and Next in the lead. Barely 15 minutes later, Intrigue took line honours and 1st in IRC 2. In quick succession, Witchcraft finished to claim in 1st in IRC 2, ahead of Redeye and Next. Nightshift, on handicap, scored a 2nd in IRC 2.

In the PHS A division, the winner was the plucky Jahoo! in an elapsed time of 2 hours, 37 minutes and 26 seconds. Andy Leung's Triple A scored a deserved 2nd and JeNaPaBe filled the 3rd slot. Sea Eagle comfortably won PHS B, ahead of Scallywag and Water Rabbit.

Ashore, in the happy atmosphere of Ming Kee Seafood Restaurant, RO Johnston presented prizes and thus was the first race of this year's Summer Series concluded.