Summer 3

The Aberdeen Boat Club's Summer Series consists of seven races, spanning three months, and features challenging courses set among the islands of Hong Kong's southern approaches. The racing is competitive and post-event celebrations take place in some of the territory's most popular waterfront restaurants.

Race 3 of this year's series was held on Sunday, the 29th of June, and attracted six IRC and seven PHS entries to a start between Ocean Park and Round Island. Race officer, Alex Johnston, assisted by Jono Slattery and Mark Cheng, chose Course 37 for everyone, with the faster boats leaving Fury Rocks to port on their way to Steep Island. The cruisers, after rounding Cape d'Aguilar, headed northeast for Clearwater Bay, finishing inside Steep.

At 1025, conditions were overcast but the good news was an encouraging 7.5 to 8.5 knots of wind from the southeast. At 1030, a gun signaled the countdown for the IRC boats. Five minutes later, the faster boats crossed the line with Redeye and Intrigue leading the way. Gambit, with Gideon Mowser on the helm, tacked on to port in search of cleaner air.

As the PHS start approached, Triple A showed a little too much enthusiasm and, when the gun sounded at 1040, was clearly OCS. Closer to the committee boat, JeNa PaBe on starboard, called to Rising Sun on port but when, after three calls, Rising Sun didn't respond, Ben Chong called "Protest". By this time, Triple A had duly returned, and restarted, and was working hard to catch up.

No windward mark meant the two fleets were soon sheeted in and making for the gap between Round Island and the Cheshire Home. The wind angle was 120-130o and if it stayed that way the boats could expect a kite run to the finish. And, of course, a tasty seafood lunch in Po Toi O!

However, first came the rain. Visibility dropped and, as the IRC boats rounded Steep, a cooling shower swept the course. Off Tung Lung Chau, the PHS boats were making steady progress and it looked like the RO had calculated correctly in getting everyone home at the same time.

The rain stopped at 1215 and the wind swung to 90o. Better still, it had built to 10 knots!

First to finish, powering towards the line from behind Steep, came the unmistakable profile of the Neo 430, Next, recording a finish time of 12:36:01. Then PHS B entry, Sea Eagle, crossed at 12:38:16, followed seconds later by Intrigue.

A call for help came from Five O One which reported steering problems. RO Johnston asked nearby boats to help and sent Sai Fuk in the club's P4 sampan to assist. Fortunately, Five O One's crew managed to get their steering working again and headed for home. Last IRC boat to finish was Wicked and last PHS boat, Water Rabbit.

Once over the line, hungry crews headed into the bay, tied up or dropped anchor, and made for Fat Kee Seafood Restaurant – a favourite on the Po Toi O waterfront. The club gives this restaurant a lot of business and the staff are known for being 'yachtie friendly'.

Bottles of wine were presented in the restaurant to the winners of the four divisions. IRC 1 was won by Redeye with Next in 2nd. Intrigue won IRC 2 with Gambit in 2nd and Wicked, 3rd. Skywalker claimed victory in PHS 1, ahead of Triple A and JeNa PaBe. Mike Cowell and crew from Discovery Bay on Sea Eagle took 1st in PHS B.