There was some debate as to whether the day’s racing should be inside or outside Port Shelter but, in the end, the ‘insiders’ won. The committee boat dropped anchor in the middle of the bay and, at 1155 the starting sequence for Race 7, IRC A & B, of the Ming Hing Waterworks Typhoon Series 2025, began. Seawolf, Unicorn and Kikukie’s Dream II led the two fleets to the top mark while a furious battle between the five Cape 31s took place in their wake.
Josephine Cheng’s Vixen and Dexter II put in a competitive display in the second of five starts while the spirited J/80s even tried to sail over one another in all the excitement.
Two Cape 31s drop their kites
The PHS A start at 1215 was something to behold as big boats and small boats vied for dominance. PHS B & C were the last to start. The race officer was looking to finish all 48 entries in 45 minutes and he just about got it dead right.
Unicorn was the first boat home but had to settle for a 2nd on handicap in IRC A. William Liu and Seawolf scored a 1st. The top four places were taken by Cape 31s in IRC B – Out of Africa, Capitano, Rampage38 and Tai Chi in 4th.
Rampage 38 rounds the top mark
Bits & Pieces was victorious in IRC C leaving Saturday Again in 2nd and Dexter II in 3rd. Shenzhen Future Sailing (Jelik 7) won the J/80s ahead of Black Pearl – Nansha Sailing Association (Baring Asia 2). Jibulai, scored a 1st in PHS A ahead of Tornado and Blu. Ichiban won PHS B and Gecko, won PHS C
After a windshift of some 40 degrees and a re-positioning of the top marks, Race 8 started at 1335. Again, Unicorn put in a stunning performance to take line honours but could only manage 2nd on handicap. Seawolf was the winner on handicap. IRC B was won by Rampage38 leaving Capitano in 2nd and Out of Africa in 3rd.
Calm before the storm
Line and handicap honours went to Xpresso in IRC C while Black Pearl – Nansha Sailing Association (Baring Asia 2) sailed well to win the J/80s.
The PHS A start was chaotic as the orange C marks were too close. So, the RO raised the AP over A flags and abandoned the race. At 1407, the restart began in 14 knots of easterly breeze. The Magic 25, Merlin, surfed to line and handicap honours while Blu took 2nd and Jibulai, 3rd. Harpseal, No One Else and Scrumpy filled the top three slots in PHS B while PHS C was won by Raptor.
A J80 crosses Tornado and Simplicity GS
Overall
There were 74 entries for the series and the average attendance per race was 45.25 boats.
Winner of the IRC A division Overall was Seawolf, winner of IRC B was Rampage 38 and winner of IRCC was Saturday Again.
Shenzhen Future Racing (Jelik 7) won the J/80s and Rampage 008 won PHS A Overall. Harpseal won PHS B Overall and Raptor won PHS C.
