Please select your home edition
Edition
C-Tech 2021 (Spars-QFX Racer) 728x90 TOP

Geoff Hill, Matt Humphries, and racing in Asia

by Guy Nowell, Sail-World Asia on 28 Mar 2013
Antipodes, Matt Humphries on the wheel and Geoff Hill standing by - San Fernando Race 2013 RHKYC/Guy Nowell http://www.guynowell.com/
The 2013 San Fernando Race started yesterday tomorrow, and the weather in Hong Kong was characteristically miserable. It’s the time of year, and it the oft-repeated reason why 24 crews are only too happy to head for the Philippines, a bit of warmth, and some ‘fun in the sun’ as the race has long been advertised.

Biggest boat in the fleet is Antipodes, Geoff Hill’s Santa Cruz 72. Hill has been very visible on the Asian circuit over a number of years, campaigning his Lyons 49 Strewth, and then a TP52 of the same name. Last year a buying trip to the US ended up with him acquiring not only the Dubois 90, Genuine Risk, but also Antipodes, and promptly cleaning up at Antigua Week with the latter.

Before the start, Hill was very much geared up for this, his third San Fernando Race. 'It’s a good race, just as good as the Rolex China Sea Race,' he says. 'And like the CSR, it’s going to be hard. With the scratch boat in the fleet, we know very well that we have to make our time out of Hong Kong while there’s breeze, so as to be in a usable position before we hit the lighter breezes and the familiar ‘Luzon lottery’ as we close the Philippines’ coast. It’s 'Yacht Racing 101' – maximum boatspeed in the right direction.'

Right beside him and working hard to find ‘the right direction’ will be Matt Humphries, a 20-year veteran of the global racing circuit, with five Whitbread/VORs to his name as well as a full deck of Fastnets, Hobarts, and all the other major ocean races. Humphries was on board Syd Fischer’s Ragamuffin Loyal for the 2012 race to Hobart, sailed with Neil Pryde on board HiFi for this year’s Royal Langkawi International Regatta, and then joined Antipodes for the recent Subic-Boracay Series in the Philippines. 'Since then we’ve been working on optimising a few things, and we hope the attention is going to pay off. Big overlapping genoas carry a huge penalty, so among other things we’ve taken a long hard look at our sail inventory. We really need a good runway to stretch our legs, so were hoping for a good blow out of Hong Kong, and taking advantage of it as best we can.'

Hill shares a ‘core crew’ and boat management arrangement with well-known Australian sailor Syd Fischer, with the intention that the three boats owned between them (Ragamuffin Loyal, 100’; Genuine Risk, 90’; and Antipodes, 72’) benefit from seasonally differences in regattas and racing schedules. 'Our recent racing in the Philippines has allowed us to further develop and strengthen the core crew, and a number of the lads based in Australia are keen to be up in Asia as it’s pretty much 'off season' down there at the moment.'

Asked about racing in Asia as compared to elsewhere, Humphries said, 'a race is a race, never mind where it takes place. You have to approach them all the same way, whether it is the San Fernando of the Newport-Bermuda. Never be complacent, and always anticipate a challenge – you’re really competing against Mother Nature!' Hill adds, 'it's the start of the season for us. We're planning on the Koh Samui Regatta (May) and the China Coast (October), and maybe something in China. And most importantly the Hong Kong-Vietnam Race - that really is a world-class event, and we are expecting to have Genuine Risk up in Hong Kong for that as well as a couple of other big boats from Down Under - before we go south for the Raja Muda and the Phuket King's Cup. There's no shortage of racing in Asia, and a lot of it is first class. Good race management, good racing, good locations, and a good social scene! And the Vietnam Race is truly exceptional.'

At press time, Antipodes was leading the San Fernando fleet across the China Sea with 286 nm to go to the finish.

Rooster 2025Palm Beach Motor YachtsV-DRY-X

Related Articles

Sailing's Glitterati prepare for the Admiral's Cup
The depth and quality of talent is truly breathtaking. The 2025 Admiral's Cup is shaping up to be one of the most compelling editions in the event's storied history, featuring a glittering constellation of the sport's elite.
Posted today at 9:55 am
British Dragon South West Championship
A spectacular warm-up for the 2025 Edinburgh Cup Torquay delivered a spectacular warm-up for the 2025 Edinburgh Cup, as 13 Dragon teams took to the waters of Tor Bay for the South West Championship, a two-day regatta packed with shifting breezes, tactical gambles, and top-class racing.
Posted today at 8:59 am
Foiling Sport Congress gathers global players
To shape the Future of Foiling Last week, Malcesine hosted the first-ever Foiling Sport Congress — a by-invitation event organised to foster an in-depth discussion on the current state and future developments of foiling across all disciplines.
Posted today at 5:59 am
Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup Day 3
The best female wave sailors in the world showcase their skills on the global stage After the men had taken centre stage for the opening two days of the 2025 Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup, today was the day for the best female wave sailors in the world to showcase their skills on the global stage.
Posted today at 4:11 am
Transpac Onboard Episode 4
Anything Can Happen at Sea All Transpac 2025 competitors are now at sea and actively racing to Hawaii. We take a look at the Pasha Live Race Tracker and talk about the significant wind hole confronting a contingent of competitors.
Posted today at 3:06 am
Stops & re-starts in first two legs of AEGEAN 600
A tough first night and early morning spent fighting zephyrs getting through the Cyclades After a beautiful breezy start yesterday, but a tough first night and early morning spent fighting zephyrs getting through the Cyclades, at the end of today's daylight the AEGEAN 600 fleet is back on the move.
Posted on 7 Jul
Marblehead to Halifax Race Update
The front-runners are pushing hard toward the finish After nearly 24 hours at sea, the front-runners of the Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race are pushing hard toward the finish. Temptation/Oakcliff leads the fleet in both elapsed and corrected time, with Boudicca – Gill Race Team close behind.
Posted on 7 Jul
British Classic Week Day 1
Northerly winds gusting 22 knots make for a brisk start Day one at British Classic Week in Cowes saw fast-paced racing around the cans sponsored by Spirit Yachts for over 50 classic and modern classic yachts.
Posted on 7 Jul
International Moth Worlds Opening Ceremony
137 sailors from 25 nations have gathered, featuring some of the biggest names in sailing After weeks of preparation and an intense lead-up, the 2025 Moth World Championship is ready to get under way. Official racing begins tomorrow, 8 July, on the waters of Lake Garda, with the event hosted by Fraglia Vela Malcesine.
Posted on 7 Jul
iQFOiL Worlds a Aarhus day 2
No racing, but spirits stay high in Aarhus Day 2 of the iQFOiL World Championship in Aarhus tested the patience of sailors, coaches, and the Race Committee alike, as the wind refused to settle across the bay.
Posted on 7 Jul