Sail-World.com : Round Hainan Regatta - Microlab claims early lead in race to Sanya

News Home

Cruising

Photo Gallery

Video Gallery

Sail-World.com : Round Hainan Regatta - Microlab claims early lead in race to Sanya

Round Hainan Regatta - Microlab claims early lead in race to Sanya

'Round Hainan Regatta - Microlab, Racing day 6 Start Offshore Haiku - Sanya' ©Juerg Kaufmann Round Hainan Regatta Click Here to view large photo

In the Round Hainan Regatta, Aloha and Team Wanning made the most of a light-air day and scored commanding victories in Wednesday's in-port race in Haikou. As the breeze increased, Microlab took the early lead in the offshore race to Sanya, setting the stage for the grand finale on Friday.

The 8-strong fleet of the IRC-A and Beneteau Oceanis 40 divisions battled it out on Wednesday, off Haikou, with one in-port race and the start of the final leg of their offshore race to Sanya. A light breeze and fog was in store early in the morning, making the in-port race a difficult one.

In the IRC-A division, Aloha took the upper hand in the in-port race thanks to their tactical choice in the first beat. With a breeze blowing at about 5-6 knots, Aloha found more pressure on the right-hand side of the course while Microlab struggled on the left. They rounded the first weather mark in the lead and held on to it until the finish line.

As the fog dissipated and the breeze picked up to 10 knots, Microlab, a 52-footer, was, obviously, more advantaged than Aloha, a 45-footer. They sailed ahead in the first long beat that took the fleet out of the Haikou gulf and into the South China Sea, towards Sanya.

Team Wanning, entirely crewed by Russian sailors and skippered by Sergey Amelichev, showed once again to be in a league of their own. Their tactics and crew work set them apart from the remaining four Beneteau Oceanis 40's. In the in-port race, they had a perfect start in the middle of the line, opted for the more favorable right-hand side of the course and crossed the finish line with a comfortable lead.

Their domination continued again in the start of the offshore leg, as they took the lead from the outset and stretched it as the boats sailed east towards Sanya.

The IRC-B1 and IRC-B2 divisions had a layday on Wednesday in Wanning, and will hold their in-port race on Thursday, before heading back to Sanya for their final offshore leg. The entire fleet is expected to arrive in Sanya in the early morning hours of Friday for the grand finale of the fifth edition of the Aloha Cup Round Hainan Regatta.

Round Hainan Regatta - Racing day 6 Start Offshore Haiku - Sanya - ©Juerg Kaufmann Round Hainan Regatta

Round Hainan Regatta - Racing day 6 Start Offshore Haiku - Sanya - ©Juerg Kaufmann Round Hainan Regatta Click Here to view large photo

by Pierre Orphanidis

Click on the FB Like link to post this story to your FB wall

http://www.sail-world.com/index.cfm?nid=120455

6:08 PM Wed 26 Mar 2014GMT

Click here for printer friendly version
Click here to send us feedback or comments about this story.

News - USA and the World

The first annual WetaFresh is a big success by Tim Wieringa, Muskegon, MI

The final results are in. WetaFest Was a huge success. We had two sailors from Cleveland, Ohio, one from Detroit, MI, four made the trip from the Chicago area and two locals from Grand Rapids.... [more]

America's Cup - Ben Ainslie Racing strengthens British Challenge by Sarah Alexander,

Ben Ainslie Racing (BAR) have today revealed six additions to their British America’s Cup Challenge. The new team members will significantly strengthen BAR’s bid to bring the Cup back home to British waters. Britain’s Paul Campbell-James has joined the sailing team and brings a great deal of technical knowledge, combined with a solid record as both a mono and multi-hull racer.... [more]

Etchells Invitational Cup – Overall result decided in dramatic race by Rupert Holmes,

The Etchells Invitational Cup’s final day delivered more stunning, high adrenaline and incredibly close racing, with the three leading boats all in contention for the 140-year-old Gertrude Cup at the start of the final race. Jeremy Thorp of Antigua YC led the fleet on 26 points, with Shannon Bush of New York YC on 34, and Jeanne-Claude Strong of Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron on 36.... [more]

Volvo Ocean Race crews to battle in Round Britain test by Volvo Ocean Race,

Iker Martinez’s Spanish team will put to the test potential new crew members as they make their way to the UK for the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race this week. The event, which starts on August 9 and is preceded by Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week, will see five of the new, one-design Volvo Ocean 65 boats navigate Britain’s 1,800 miles of notoriously tricky coastline.... [more]

Sopot Match Race - Canfield tops leaderboard after day 1 by Alpari World Match Racing Tour,

The Alpari World Match Racing Tour’s newest event, Sopot Match Race, commenced today. Eleven flights of Qualifying were sailed in a light to moderate north-westerly wind. At the close of play Alpari World Match Racing Tour champion Taylor Canfield tops the leaderboard unbeaten on 5-0, ahead of Phil Robertson’s WAKA Racing on 5-1 and local Polish legend Karol Jablonski on 4-1.... [more]

ISAF Sailing World Cup - Hyeres and Weymouth named 2015 venues + Video by ISAF,

Hyères, France and Weymouth, Great Britain have been named as the European venues for the 2015 ISAF Sailing World Cup series. Bids to host the two European regattas of the ISAF Sailing World Cup were carefully considered by the International Sailing Federation with key criteria including a compact venue, first class sailing areas and facilities.... [more]

Anna Tunnicliffe: Final two days of the 2014 Reebok CrossFit Games by Anna Tunnicliffe, Carson, CA.

Anna Tunnicliffe: We finished up the 2014 CrossFit Games with the final 3 events. I gave it my all, made the final cut and finally finished 22nd overall. The 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist in the Laser Radial class describes the final two days of the competition.... [more]

Techno 293 Worlds - France and Italy claim titles by International Windsurfing Association,

Fifteen year old Carlo Ciabatti from Cagliari, Italy, is the 2014 Techno 293 Youth Boys World Champion. With an unassuming start, 23rd on the leaderboard at the end of the first championship race, Carlo clawed his way up day by day - 13th . . . fifth . . .first! beating European Champion Tom Monnet into second place by four points.... [more]

Allen RS Feva World Championships, Day 4 - Nations Cup and lay day by Golly Tucker,

At the Allen RS Feva Worlds, the fleet racing took a break today while a well deserved break was taken from the very physically demanding conditions in Quiberon Bay. The two boat team racing Nations Cup took place during the afternoon with 11 nations participating.... [more]

29er World Championships 2014 - Finals start tomorrow by 29er World Championships,

After a stormy start to the day, the rain cleared and the breeze filled in from the South-South West with a steady 10-12 knots. All the sailors were excited to get racing today, with both fleets starting the day with general recalls. The black flag was raised on both courses and pushed sailors behind the line allowing both fleets to start qualifying race nine.... [more]

ISAF Youth Worlds Champions lead 29er Worlds by Jerelyn Biehl,

On course 2, the French ISAF Youth Worlds 29er champions Brice Yrieix and Loic Fischer Guillou (FRA) had a steady day of racing.... [more]

Help clean up the sailing water at Rio - Image Gallery by Juerg Kaufmann,

Top international sailing photographer, Juerg Kaufmann (SUI) is in Rio for the first of two Olympic Test events. Like many others in the sailing community he is most unhappy about the quality of the water at the Olympic venue. Sailing has always prided itself on being an environmentally proud sport.... [more]

2014 Etchells Invitational Cup - Day 3 by Rupert Holmes,

After another stunning day with bright sun and a solid south-south westerly afternoon sea breeze, the top of the leaderboard could hardly be closer.... [more]

29er World Championship - Finals start tomorrow by 29er Worlds,

2014 29er World Championship - Another windy day on the Kingston waters to wrap up the third and last day of the qualification series. After a stormy start to the day, the rain cleared and the breeze filled in from the South-South West with a steady 10-12 knots.... [more]

420 World Championship - Singapore and Spain out front by 420 International Class Association,

Racing got underway on day three of the 420 Worlds in a 12-15 knot breeze from the north, perfect conditions to complete the final two races of the race qualification series. With the discard kicking in after race 5, some shuffling on the leaderboard as teams discarded their worst score in the 420 Open and 420 Ladies fleets.... [more]

Lido 14 National Class Championship to take place at Alamitos Bay by Rich Roberts,

The boats have only one modest hull and certainly don't foil, and the crews are mostly friends or family, including only a pro or two sailing for fun, not finances, in the 2014 Lido 14 National Class Championship at Alamitos Bay Yacht Club this weekend. Racing Friday through Sunday will be on the namesake bay fronting the club at the end of Ocean Blvd.... [more]

Glide Free Foils - the dinghy foiling break thru is on the market *Feature by David Schmidt,

In 2006, the sailing world was stunned with the speed and performance of the foiling Moth, and the genie forever escaped the bottle. Flash-forward just a few short years, and the Moth Worlds were being were contested on foils; jump-forward a bit further still, and the 34th America’s Cup was won using foils.... [more]

Ida Lewis Distance Race - Entry deadline fast approaching by Kirsten Ferguson,

Next month, the Ida Lewis Distance Race will celebrate a decade of offshore fun with its 10th edition of the popular overnighter that starts and finishes in Newport, R.I.... [more]

Largest Olympic Class Regatta ever to take place in Rio by ISAF,

Over 320 sailors from 34 nations will compete at the first test event of the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games from 2-9 August from the Marina da Gloria. The Aquece Rio – International Sailing Regatta 2014 is set to be the largest Olympic classes sailing competition ever held in Brazil and many of the world's top competitors are ready for the test.... [more]

Lake Ontario 300 Challenge is now complete by Brian Townsend,

The 25th running of the Lake Ontario 300 Challenge is now complete and proved to be a classic race similar to the first race held in 1990. This year just over 110 yachts competed with 87% finishing. Every type of wind was experienced coming from just about every direction with a spell of no winds to make things interesting.... [more]

Guinness World Record criteria finalised for the Largest Sailing Race by Irene Corosu, Weymouth

The Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation is pleased to announce the finalised Guinness World Record criteria which sailing clubs have to comply with to count towards the world record attempt, and for participants to be ratified as world record holders.... [more]

Allen RS Feva World Championships - Day 3: Final series starts by Bill Tucker,

Allen RS Feva World Championships 2014 - This was where the serious racing really notched up another couple of gears with the talent pools fully concentrated after the qualification series finished. The forecast had a sunny moderate day of 12knots or so lined up. The reality was that the sea breeze kicked up in full with the third race concluding in 20 to 22knots average.... [more]

Round Britain and Ireland Race 2014 - Tactics, endurance, achievement by Louay Habib,

Organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club, the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race is undoubtedly one of the toughest yacht races in the world. While other ocean races are longer, racing 1,800 miles around a coastline notorious for highly changeable weather and wicked tides and currents, puts the race amongst the most difficult to complete, let alone win.... [more]

Alpari World Match Racing Tour moves on to Poland + Video by Alpari World Match Racing Tour,

One of the most exciting developments in the Alpari World Match Racing Tour for 2014 is the addition of Sopot Match Race into its roster of events. This year will be the 11th edition of Sopot Match Race, taking place on the Baltic in the Polish holiday resort close to Gdansk.... [more]

2014 ISAF Sailing World Cup final qualification system published by ISAF,

Fleets of twenty boats in the Olympic events and Open Kiteboarding will race in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in and around Lulu Island off the UAE capital's stunning Corniche from 27-30 November 2014. The first qualification places will be awarded at the Santander 2014 ISAF Sailing World Championships which takes place in the Spanish city from 8-21 September.... [more]

Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac - Karma Sailing Group wins by Alison Vallas, Lake Michigan

2014 Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac - For the past ten years the month of July has brought a steady stream of preparation for Karma Sailing Group, a sailboat racing program owned by Martin Sandoval and Karma Yacht Sales Co-owners Jack Buoscio and Lou Sandoval.... [more]

Red Bull 49erFX: Easing into the Olympic scene at Rio by Molly Meech and Alex Maloney,

Red Bull 49erFX team of Molly Meech and Alex Maloney report on how things are shaping up at the 2016 Olympic venue. Week one in Rio was a whirlwind. We have only a quick impression of the city, and it seems that Rio is so many things at once. Bustling. Intimidating. Enticing. Exciting.... [more]

Kempe thrilled to invite himself to Gold Cup party by Colin Thompson,

Having secured qualification to this year’s Gold Cup, Kempe is now looking forward to mixing it up with the world’s elite match-race sailors. 'I just sent myself an invite, ironically,' he said. 'I am looking forward to sailing in the Gold Cup as a skipper, which should be fun.'... [more]

2014 420 World Championships - Singapore wins Day 2 race by 420 Sailing,

2014 420 World Championships - Top performance of the day goes to Singapore’s Kimberly Lim/Savannah Siew who knocked out back to back race wins from the two races, in a fleet containing some of their closest rivals and leap to the front of the 420 Ladies leaderboard. No wonder the pair were honoured as Singapore’s National Sports Team of the Year just a few months back.... [more]

Lightning strikes cut short CFJ Nationals by Andy Kopetzky, Santa Monica Bay

Del Rey Yacht Club hosted the series, which featured over sixty boats. With Cal Yacht Club hosting the Optimist Nationals close by, there were over three hundred fifty kids on the water and close to three hundred dinghies off Santa Monica Beach. The racing was cut short on Sunday when rain and thunderstorms appeared and all races were abandoned about two o'clock.... [more]

Etchells Invitational Cup - Girls on top in Cowes by Rupert Holmes,

Day two of the inaugural Etchells Invitational Cup in Cowes delivered four tight races in sparkling conditions, with a 10-knot north westerly breeze. The racing saw plenty of adrenaline fuelled boat-on-boat action, with the four on-water umpires handing out numerous penalties.... [more]

National Sailing Hall of Fame reveals inductees by Jan Harley,

The National Sailing Hall of Fame (NSHOF) today revealed the eight people who will make up its 2014 class of inductees into the National Sailing Hall of Fame.... [more]

J/111 North American Championship - Wind Czar victorious by Liz Smith,

The J/111 North American Championship was hosted this weekend, July 24-27 at the Little Traverse Yacht Club in Harbor Springs, MI. Thirteen J/111 boats attended the event in beautiful Northern Michigan ready to race during the LTYC annual Ugotta Regatta, including local boat Wind Czar who won the inaugural NAs in Chicago in 2013.... [more]