Match Racing 2

Sunday, the second day of the Hong Kong Match Racing Championships 2025, saw two races carried over from Saturday before the semi-finals, Petit Finals and finals could be sailed. Race officer, Ewan McEwan, had set the course in a patch of the South China Sea west of Bluff Island and south of Tiu Chung Chau. The wind varied between 4 and 7 knots from the northeast and the swells, at 2-3 metres, were going to be a challenge.

Racing started with Flight 9 and Backe beating Boag in Match 1. In Flight 10, Match 1, Pavlin beat Fujii.

Then came the semifinals. In the first, Backe beat Pavlin twice and, in the second, Boag beat Xu twice.

After the completion of the semis and the Petit Finals, the excitement began to build as the RO announced the finals – Backe vs Boag and Boag vs Backe! Who would it be?

After six hours of racing in challenging conditions, the finals proved the ultimate for Peter Backe of Sweden who claimed victory in the Hong Kong Match Racing Championships 2025. In 2nd place came Jamie Boag of Ireland and 3rd, Vladimir Pavlin of Moscow, sailing as an AIN.

Towards nightfall, the prize-giving began back at the club in a crowded Garden Bar with Rob Allen from the Sailing Centre acting as Master of Ceremonies. “Thanks also to our International Race Management Team for flying to Hong Kong to help us run this year’s event,” said Allen. “David Fan our Hong Kong Local International Umpire did a great job assisting the Umpire Team on and off the water all weekend.

“Ewan McEwan from the UK, residing in Singapore was our Event Race Officer,” he continued. “He was ably assisted by our two International Umpires who flew from Japan. Both Masa and Kotan took part in their third Hong Kong Match Racing Nationals at Hebe Haven Yacht Club and it’s been great to build up a good relationship with these international umpires and race officers.”

Following the awards, a sumptuous buffet was laid on for all to enjoy.

This international match racing event was a welcome addition to the Hebe Haven Yacht Club’s racing calendar and demonstrates the continuing popularity of keelboat racing. The race officer and a selection of umpires were flown in from abroad and greatly enjoyed the weekend of competition and hospitality provided by the club. They worked together with a support team of more than 20 officials on the water.

Here’s a quick summary of the final standings :