29er Hong Kong Open - Day 1
by Nikki Claringbold 27 Dec 2017 10:29 GMT
27-29 December 2017
29er Hong Kong Open Day 1 © RHKYC / Naomi Rebecca
Lewis Anderson with crew Pat Morgan NZL 2390, took two bullets in the last two races of the day putting them in first position followed by NZL 5 Sebastian Lardies and Scott McKenzie. With a bullet in the first race putting them in third overall the first Hong Kong boat, HKG 2532 sailed by Calum Gregor and Jon Crawford.
Racing was initially delayed due to the race committee finding gusts of 32 to 34kts in the Beaufort Channel. The race track was eventually laid off Stanley Bay with a few competitors opting to stay on land to avoid any breakages before the Zhik 29er World Championships to be held from 2 to 8 January 2018. Four quick races were held in a mid-20s north easterly breeze and it was a tough, albeit exciting, first day on the water with many capsizes and a few retirements throughout the day.
In 13th overall, Peter Backe, the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club's Zhik 29er World Championship Race Chairman crewing for Duncan Gregor remarked on the racing, "It was a great first day; four good races, very windy and good competition. When we came out there was a lot of wind - it was on the edge really; at least definitely for us. But the start went off and we had a good race. I'm very happy as Race Chairman; good to see all the boats out there, it was a great day."
With 33 teams from seven countries signed up for the Hong Kong Open and similar conditions forecasted for tomorrow the lead up for the Zhik 29er World Championships promises to be exhilarating.
2018.29erworlds.org