10:55 PM Sun 18 Oct 2009 GMT
What a difference a day makes. 29 of 30 entrants reported to the start line in a meaty, bouncy 21 knots of breeze for the start to the last day of Hong Kong's favourite three day inshore series.
All Divisions were ready for a final windward leeward, followed by an Islands course to take them back to RHKYC Kellett Island for the Overall Prize-giving party.
With FfreeFire 52, Strewth and Mandrake over the line at the start, the two main contenders for Racing Div A were given a head start, with Evolution Racing taking the race on handicap, just over 90 seconds ahead of Full Metal Jacket and Jelik II taking Line Honours. After discard, this left FMJ 3 points adrift of Ray Roberts' new TP52 going into the final race of the series.
Racing Div B was remarkably well behaved, given the conditions, and it was clean starts all round as Ambush yet again drew away from the fleet on the first leg. The big battle had been shaping up between Rick and Inge Strompf's Orient Xpress and Dr. Ian Nicolson's Intrigue, but the fight ended with Intrigue losing their main halyard and goose-winging the final leg with what can only be described as a double headsail. The 'Heath Robinson' approach did the trick, and Intrigue still managed a respectable third to Orient Xpress, with Ambush on yet another double first.
The previous two days had seen Racing Division C dominated by the A35's and the first race was no exception. In a ringing of the changes, Lowell Chang's Dexter II took a double first ahead of Men at Work and Red Kite II. This left Men at Work four points clear of Red Kite II going into the final race of the series. In the Cruiser Division, Authority finally bested Cave Canem to take the race, and Moonblue II recorded her first win in this Regatta in Premier Cruising.
The final race gave all the divisions an Islands course, taking them back into Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour and RHKYC Kellett Island for the Regatta Party. Racing Div A were given 22nm and a late start, while Div B, Div C and Premier Cruising were given a 19nm figure 8 course and Cruising Division had a simple 13nm course.
A processiong of boats coasted into the finish just outside Lei Yue Mun gap, with Evolution Racing taking first in the A's ahead of Full Metal Jacket, giving them the series overall. Ambush continued her perfect scoring, with another double first - seven for Mille 41 and the Regatta. Red Kite II took Div C on handicap, but it was Helmith Hennig's Men at Work which topped the division and the A35 trio at the end of the weekend.
Cave Canem had one last blast for the regatta, taking first again, and Moonblue 2 took her second win of the day to put her in second place behind Marcel Leidts' Blauwvoet.
A great regatta all round, and at a rowdy poolside Prizegiving, Race Week Chairman Russ Parker presented the prizes.
Full results are available at
www.rhkyc.org.hk/chinacoastraceweek/results09.htm
by Lindsay Lyons - RHKYC
|
Double Is Pt, QLD
