Lipton Trophy Pursuit Race at Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club - Preview
by RHKYC Media 12 Nov 2014 20:45 GMT
15 November 2014
Lipton Trophy 2013 © RHKYC / Guy Nowell
The Old Mutual Top Dog Trophy Series 2014-2015 kicks off on 15 November 2014 with the first of four constituent events, the Lipton Trophy Pursuit Race.
The other three events that make up the series are the Around the Island Race on 16 November 2014, the Tomes Cup on 10 January 2015 and the HKRNVR Memorial Vase on 1 May 2015.
International investment, savings, insurance and banking group, Old Mutual has pledged its support to the 2014-2015 Series, in addition to its continued contribution to adult and youth sail training at the Club.
Supporting sponsors include the British fashion brand, Thomas Pink, boutique hotel operator, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and an array of beverages to complement the post-racing festivities including Mount Gay Rum, Peroni beer and Jax Coco juice.
All of the races are of the pursuit variety meaning each boat or class of boats is given staggered start times based on its assigned handicap rating (RHKATI number) which, in a perfect race, should result in all boats finishing at around the same time.
The Lipton Trophy will take place in the Eastern Harbour, with the first start scheduled at 1400hrs. The start times for each class have been calculated to give everyone a chance to be first over the line at the target time of 1630hrs.
The event is open to all boats of the IRC Big Boat, Dragon, Etchells, Flying Fifteen, Impala, J/80, Pandora, Ruffian and Sportsboat classes. Boats from other classes may also be considered by the Race Committee on prior application.
Eligible boats shall enter the race on Race Day itself by completing the sign-on form in the RHKYC Course Room at least 15 minutes before their warning signal, or no later than 1430 hours, whichever is earlier.
Last year 48 boats signed on before racing, when the breeze was around 10kts, By the time competitors reached the start line however, the winds were a steady 18 to 20kts gusting to 25, leading to many boats declining to start or retiring during the race, leaving only 28 boats to record a finish.
The prizegiving for Lipton Trophy presented by Old Mutual will be held at Kellett Island after racing at approximately 1830hrs.