Volvo China Coast Regatta - Tropical Cyclone Haima looms

by RHKYC on 20 Oct 2016 The Volvo China Coast Regatta Race Committee together with the Sailing Office are keeping a beady eye on the weather as we near the start of the Volvo China Coast Regatta.

Tropical Cyclone Haima is forecasted to be closest to Hong Kong on Friday forcing race organisers to put together a backup racing plan in case a signal three or eight is still in force during the first scheduled day of racing on Saturday – which at this rate is looking quite likely.

The original plan sees the IRC Racer Class competing in three windward/leewards on Saturday, one long islands course on the Sunday and finishing on the Monday with a windward/leeward followed by an islands course. All of the other classes will have a windward/leeward and an island course on Saturday, a long islands course on Sunday and a windward/leeward and island course on Monday.

However, Race Officer Inge Strompf-Jepsen said, “Saturday is looking more and more unlikely to become a race day, we therefore plan to move the day of geometric courses to Sunday and then see what the wind conditions are - of course hoping the typhoon has not sucked all the wind out of the area on it’s departure!”

The Race Committee has continued last year’s programme of developing new courses that create race tracks that challenge boat and team capabilities whilst enjoying the beauty and diversity of Hong Kong’s islands.

A quality fleet of 36 boats across six divisions will compete in this year’s Volvo China Coast Regatta. Returning this year under a new name and owner the 100ft super maxi Scallywag Seng Huang Lee is sure to be a site on the race course against the many boats which are less then half her size. Other boats to make the journey to Hong Kong are the TP52 Standard Insurance Centennial from the Philippines who will compete in IRC0 against Hong Kong’s Sam Chan’s TP52 FreeFire.

The Volvo China Coast Regatta is book-ended by the Welcome Drinks on Friday 21 October (weather permitting) and a Prizegiving Dinner on Monday 24 October – both at the Club’s Kellett Island clubhouse.