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| Rampage 38, victorious in IRC Racer 2 | ||
China Coast Regatta The China Coast Regatta, the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club’s premier big boat event since 1993, once again delivered a legendary experience, featuring three days of exhilarating racing, well-managed race courses, and a memorable post-race party at Middle Island. Thirty-three top-tier boats featured in six competitive divisions: IRC Racer 0, IRC 1, IRC 2, IRC 3, IRC Premier and PHS. Sailors were pushed to their limits in a mix of geometric and island courses, including a new set of island routes offering varied lengths and directions. Day 1 of racing kicked off under ideal conditions with a steady 10 knots of easterly breeze, building to 15 knots through the day. After intense windward / leeward racing, race officer Inge Strompf kept competitors on their toes by sending everyone on scenic island courses ranging from 8.5 to 19.5 nautical miles, passing landmarks like Sung Kong and Po Toi. Day 2 saw the regatta reach full momentum as the PHS fleet joined the competition, adding depth and diversity to the fleet. The IRC Racer divisions faced a demanding schedule of three windward / leeward races, putting their tactical decision-making and boat handling skills to the test. In sailing, consistency is key — minimising errors and avoiding equipment failures often makes the difference between victory and defeat. |
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| IRC Racer 0 start | ||
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Meanwhile, the PHS boats completed one windward / leeward race followed by a 14-nautical-mile islands course, offering a mix of scenic beauty and tactical challenges. The IRC Premier Division tackled two islands courses, navigating around Hong Kong’s southern landmarks in a showcase of endurance and strategy. The final day, Day 3, brought dramatic weather shifts — rain over Hong Kong Island, sunshine near Lamma, and even sightings of a rainbow and waterspout! Despite the challenges, the race management team adapted swiftly. The IRC Division 0 managed to start their 18-nautical-mile course but, during the start sequence for IRC Division 1, the AP flag was raised due to fading wind. The RO changed to a windward / leeward race, which went well. Incidentally, the regatta continues to attract top international talent with sailors flying in from Sweden, Australia, Thailand and the UK for the event. After three days of racing and seven completed races, all IRC divisions were granted one discard. |
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| Out of Africa struggles with its kite | ||
This division delivered some of the most exciting action with the scoreboard being shaken up after each race. Capitano took the lead in Day 1 with two bullets, Rampage 38 climbed up the scoreboard after Day 2 with Capitano and Out of Africa both tied in 2nd place. The final day saw a strong comeback from the Olympian-studded Rampage 38, which overcame a poor start in Race 7 to finish 1st, lifting the trophy. Capitano finished three points behind, with Out of Africa in 3rd. IRC Racer 3 was another tightly contested division, featuring three strong teams. Returning to defend his title was Nick Southward with his J-109 Admiralty Harbour Whiskey Jack. He was joined by Andrew Pidden’s J-99 Juice and Rita Yau’s A35 Dexter II. Although Juice took 1st place in the final race, it was Whiskey Jack that topped the leaderboard with six wins. This year’s IRC Premier Division featured a mix of performance cruisers, including Carl Wilkinson’s Lisa Elaine, Thomas Wong’s DBX2, Tom Attenborough’s Parnassus, and Franco Cutrupia’s Fenice. These yachts brought a blend of elegance and competitiveness to the regatta. The division sailed four scenic islands courses, rounding landmarks such as Sung Kong, Po Toi and Beaufort Island in Hong Kong’s southern waters, or as far as the Nine Pins in the east. Parnassus dominated the class with four wins, followed by DBX2 in 2nd and Fenice in 3rd. The PHS Division featured the largest fleet of the regatta, with nine entries showcasing a range of boat designs and crew experience. The line-up included Eddy Lee’s Generations, Sunny Leung’s Jibulai, Chris Li’s Kiasu!, Raymond Wu’s Tornado, Bradly Wilkins’ blowers daughter, Dean Chisholm’s Darling, Terence So’s Doris, Johnson Yuen’s Zoe, and Yiu Kwai Szeto’s Grand Soleil 50, Glory, making its debut at the China Coast Regatta. |
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| Water spout on the course -- a good omen | ||
After two days of racing, Darling and Generations finished tied on 4 points, but Generations was awarded the trophy on countback, Kiasu! took 3rd on countback. As part of the China Coast Regatta, IRC yachts had the opportunity to form teams and compete for the prestigious Hong Kong Kettle Trophy. Each team consisted of two boats from different IRC divisions, with the winner determined by the lowest combined score across the regatta. This year, the trophy was awarded to the formidable pairing of Witchcraft and Out of Africa, whose consistent performances across their respective divisions secured them the top spot. Race Officer Inge Strompf concluded, “It’s great to see such tight racing in this regatta, with top sailing talent participating. Hopefully, the event will grow in popularity and attract more boats in the future.” Renowned for its challenging conditions, competitive fleets, and stunning coastal scenery, the China Coast Regatta once again proved itself as a stand-out event in Hong Kong’s big boat racing scene. photos Guy Nowell / RHKYC For more information regarding the China Coast Race Week visit https://www.chinacoastraceweek.com/news |
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| Glory approaches the finish | ||
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