SPRING REGATTA 2021 sponsored by HSBC EXPAT
by RHKYC Media 25 May 2021 05:38 BST
22-23 May 2021
RHKYC SPRING REGATTA 2021 sponsored by HSBC EXPAT © RHKYC / Guy Nowell
Last weekend 22-23 May was RHKYC’s last major event of the official sailing season, the Spring Regatta sponsored by HSBC Expat.
A record 118 boats signed up for a programme of three races over two days. The first race was held on Saturday with 10 starts across 12 divisions and classes. The race fleet included 33 Big Boats split into four divisions, as well as the Sportsboats and the OD classes - Dragons, Etchells, Flying Fifteens, Impalas, J/80s, Ruffians and Pandoras - all of whom gathered and filled the start area around Kowloon Bay.
Saturday kicked off with an incredible blue sky and soaring temperatures. There was a southerly breeze of around 10kts in the starting area however the breeze was shadowed by Hong Kong Island, which led to the wind softening occasionally to 3kts at the eastern part of the Harbour.
The highlight was the first appearance of four TP52s - Alpha+, Freefire, Phoenix and Rampage88 in a Club regatta. RO Barry Truhol sent them off, along with IRC Division 1, on a 14.6nm course out of the harbour towards Shek O Rock and back, while the other two Big Boat divisions were sent on a shorter course of 11.37nm. The Class Boats were sent on ‘laps’ around PWD, Kowloon Bay and Tai Koo Shing with course distances varying from 5nm to 11.37nm.
On the Sunday, Hong Kong turned on yet another superb day. Showcasing Hong Kong yachting at its best, over 100 yachts sailed two races in a gentle 8 to 9 kts easterly breeze. No doubt to the envy of those watching from hotel quarantine in Hung Hom, the RO started the first race of the day in the Kowloon Bay area and sent the fleet on courses within Victoria Harbour with a target time of one hour, with all boats enjoying very close competitive racing.
As the breeze continued to build up to 14kts, longer courses with a target time of two hours were set for the final race of the Regatta. The TP52s and IRC Divisions 1 and 2 were able to stretch their legs and enjoy a longer course out to Shek O Rock and Junk Bay, whilst HKPN and the class boats remained in the Harbour.
Barry Truhol hoped everyone enjoyed their sailing, commenting after racing that "when we went out to check the wind this morning, there was breeze from the east and south-east – but nothing even close to the southerly forecast. The race management team decided to pick the easterly courses, and luckily the decision worked out fine. We had a solid, stable easterly breeze for at least six hours. We had two races with good breeze and not too much tide and a fantastic backdrop. What more can you ask for?"
Almost all Big Boat divisions winners of Day 1 stayed at the top after the second day of racing. TP52 Alpha+ stayed strong with three bullets in hand to lifting the division trophy.
Ambush and Red Kite 2 both maintained their leads in IRC Division 1 and Division 2 respectively. With Saturday’s leader Jibulai retiring from both races, Baby Beluga climbed from 3rd place to 1st place with a stable performance in the HKPN Division.
Dragon Zephyr, Flying Fifteen Noisy Forefather,Pandora Windfall and Ruffian Buster kept their leads in their divisions, lifting their respective trophies.
In the biggest participating class, Etchells,Les Freaks Sont Chic hung on to their first overall, only one point ahead of Noddy. Impala Rainbow Chaser climbed from second place to overall first place just one point ahead of Taxi. J/80 Tigrina claimed a first and a second win their division. Sportsboat F.A.B helmed by Molly Highfield took three firsts and guaranteed their first place in the division.
Full results at www.rhkyc.org.hk/sailingresults.aspx#SPRING%20REGATTA%20-%20RESULTS
A full album of photos, showing off RHKYC racing and Victoria Harbour at its very best, can be found at www.guynowell.com > Galleries > Yachting & Marine > 2021 Spring Regatta, or just click here: www.guynowell.com/-/galleries/new-gallery/2021-rhktc-spring-regatta-sponsored-by-hsbc-expa