Audi Hong Kong to Vietnam Race 2013

by RHKYC Media on 27 Aug 2013 The 2013 edition of the Hong Kong to Vietnam Race will start on Thursday 17 October at 1210hrs. Offering 656nm of sheer exhilaration, this Category 1 Offshore race has been a biennial calendar fixture since 2004, typhoons notwithstanding.

The race is not for the faint-hearted, with challenging downhill conditions of 15 to 30kts often leading to gear failure on even the best-prepared boats. Entrants must pass strict scrutineering and safety checks, and are required to have a minimum of 50% of their crew to have undergone Safety at Sea Survival training, and 30% to hold First Aid/ CPR qualifications.

Grant Wharington’s 2004 monohull record of 42h 45m 41s may be under threat this year from the maxis making preparations for the race, including Ragamuffin Loyal and Maserati. Ludde Ingvall has yet to decide whether or not Audi Ultra, which came so close to setting a new record in 2011, will come back for another bite at the cherry.

However it’s not all about who crosses the finish line in Nha Trang first.

A strong IRC fleet, ranging from 35 feet to the maxis, has indicated their intention to contest this classic offshore race and they promise a highly competitive battle for the IRC Overall title. Competing in the Hong Kong to Vietnam Race for the first time, on board his new Sydney GTS 43, Walawala 2, Steve Manning is one of the first owner/skippers to throw his hat in the ring, on the basis that the race

'will be the first opportunity to enter a long distance race since new, and where the boat will really be able to stretch her legs … We race for the excitement of close competition and camaraderie on board… The boat is designed to take advantage of a good downhill blow and it will be a great opportunity to see how sailing in this mode plays out both for the boat and on the crew.'

Entries are still being accepted from other aspiring offshore racers to take up Manning’s challenge! Full details are available at www.hkvietnamrace.com.