Summer 5

It was one of those grey days, with drizzle included. Would it clear, and would it end under blue skies and southeasterly winds? That's what race officer, Alex Johnston, seemed to think as the committee boat, on loan from the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, searched for a place to lay the line in Tung O Wan, on the southeast side of Lamma Island.

Incidentally, the Aberdeen Boat Club's own utility vessel, Shun Fung, is still under repair after damage sustained during Race 3 of this year's Summer Series. It will be back in service shortly.

The wind reading in Tung O Wan was 3 knots from 133o and the sea state 'choppy' as it often is in these waters, referred to by sailors as the 'Lamma Patch'. Then the wind swung to 144o and became even lighter – oh dear.

Boats started arriving at 1000 on Sunday, the 28th of July 2024, but the race officer, experienced in laying courses south of Hong Kong Island, knew that a delay would be necessary.

At 1010, up went the AP flag and Johnston addressed the competitors. At that point, he said, there was not enough wind to start a race. Another wind reading would be taken at 1025. "By then, hopefully conditions will have stabilised and the breeze will have filled in from the south. Thank you all for being patient," he said.

But the waiting continued, and continued, with no sign of a breeze from any direction. At 1040, anxious to get in a race even if it needed to be shortened, Johnston kept the AP flying. Same story at 1050. "Stand by," he said to the 14 hardy crews circling the committee boat. And they did, until 1120.

"All boats, all boats," said the RO on his VHF. "IRC 1 and 2 will be starting at 1145, followed by PHS five minutes later. All divisions will be sailing Course 44 (s) and we will gather at The Sampan restaurant in Yung Shue Wan for lunch and a prize-giving." As he finished his announcement, another squall came through, drenching the committee boat and nearby competitors. Ah well, that's yachting for you.

A windward mark was laid in the direction of Repulse Bay, and the boats were required to leave it to starboard. Then came a gun to indicate the lowering of the AP and the countdown to the IRC start. There was one small problem, though. Five O One had somehow got itself stuck on the starting line and, despite loud calls from the committee boat, did not seem to register that it was in harm's way. Worse, it would affect the orderly start of IRC 1 and 2. Thankfully it drifted backwards and the six IRC boats were able to take evasive action. Phew.

Next to start were the boats from PHS A (3) and PHS B (3). Two, Crystal and Five O One, were over and the RO called them on VHF and told them to return and start again.

The wind, sadly, was not being very nice to the sailors that day and the fleet was struggling to get past Tai Kok and Ha Mei Tsui. Some went further out hoping for better winds while others, like Zesst, stayed close inshore.

Coming up the western side of Lamma Island, with everyone's tummies rumbling, the race officer decided to shorten just below Power Station. After two blasts of the horn at 1245, the S flag went up on the committee boat and Sai Fuk laid the ODM for the finish.

Line honours went to Parnassus at 12:52:53, but the big Swan was relegated to 2nd on handicap. 1st in IRC 1 was Zoe's Guard and 3rd, Eddy Lee's Next. Henning Mueller's tactics played off in IRC 2 as Zesst claimed 1st on handicap with 2 Easy in 2nd and XT in 3rd.

Crystal won the PHS A division ahead of Tipsy Easy and Triple A. In PHS B, a surprise victory went to Water Rabbit: as they say 'slow but sure wins the race'. Generations, with its forever happy crew, notched up a 2nd and Rising Sun, 3rd.

The RO repeated what he had said earlier and reminded everyone that there would be a prizegiving at The Sampan restaurant in Yung Shue Wan. The club's P4 runabout, ABC 14, was available to take crews ashore.

And so ended Race 5 of the Aberdeen Boat Club's Summer Series 2024. The penultimate race of the series – Race 6 – would be held on the 11th of August, and the final – Race 7 – on the 25th of August with the series prizegiving at ABC's Middle Island clubhouse. See you there!