Total Lubmarine China Coast Regatta 2008 - Day 2
by RHKYC Event Media on 12 Oct 2008
Plenty of bounce on Jaywalker. RHKYC China Coast Regatta 2008. Guy Nowell
http://www.guynowell.com
Day two of the Total Lubmarine China Coast Regatta (North Sails Day) was billed as three windward/ leeward races to take the regatta total to five. As Race Officer Inge Strompf-Jepsen reached the start area, it was apparent that the sailors were in for a treat (or a challenge, depending which way you viewed it) with a 25-knot northeasterly greeting them off Lamma Island.
Setting a six-leg course of 1.6nm for Divisions A and B and a four-leg course for Divisions C and D, Strompf-Jepsen hoped to make the most of the breeze before a forecast lull in the afternoon, but with 26 knots on the first start it became obvious that lack of wind was not going to be a problem.
FfreeFire 52, Orient Xpress and Full Metal Jacket were called over, and while they were making their way back to the line, Jelik tried to find a space between the Committee Boat and Fortis Mandrake, catching both and losing her bowsprit in the process. To add to their woes, Jelik was disqualified at the subsequent protest, but in the meantime managed to soldier on through the day and complete the three races.
Elsewhere, fleet numbers were falling faster than the FTSE, with Impala Moll suffering rudder damage and Impala 1 deciding that discretion was the better part of valour, returning to base before they suffered any damage themselves.
In Division B, Ambush continued her winning ways, with a double first on race three, while yesterday’s Div C winner, Men at Work, ended up retiring as they tried to extricate their keel from their kite. This allowed Dexter to triumph ahead of Whiskey Jack and the smallest boat in the division, Contention 30, Sex Drive, who were definitely punching above their weight in spite of the testing conditions.
Several boats completed race three, only to retire for the remainder of the day, leaving 26 boats out of 35 on the start line for Race 4. With a slight easterly shift in wind, and a move of the windward mark, Race 4 got underway in 22 knots. Clearly chastened by the previous start, all classes were clear at the start and enjoyed a more gentle race, although not without the usual knocks and scrapes expected in strong breeze.
Island Fling enjoyed a perfect day, with three firsts, while Ambush slipped for the first time in the regatta to third place in race 4. Men at Work came back from their fishing trip to win the double for races 4 and 5, with Whiskey Jack winning the Division C day prize for a consistent display of 2-2-3 for the day. In Division D, Ling Yuan finally dropped a place to Boss Hogg in the final race of the day, but still hold a commanding lead going into the final day.
Sunday offers two races, one windward/ leeward and an Islands Course to round out the regatta - none of the divisional leaders can yet rest easy, so it should be an entertaining day on the water!
Full results at http://www.rhkyc.org.hk/chinacoastraceweek/results08.htm
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