Simpson Marine Four Peaks Race 2015 - Whiskey Jack makes it four
by Sipmson Marine / Guy Nowell, Sail-World Asia on 10 Feb 2015
Brizo on the breeze, heading for Sai Kung. Simpson Marine Four Peaks Race 2015. Guy Nowell / Simpson Marine
Asia’s No 1 adventure race, the Simpson Marine Four Peaks Race, run (and sailed!) 31 Jan-01 Feb, once again delivered the cold blustery weather, tricky tactical challenges and gruelling physical challenges that it has become known for in its long history - 31 years to be precise. The event combines sailing and hill running, with a record 40 yachts entering the classic multi-sport event this year.
After a breezy start under lowering skies in Tai Tam Bay, the fleet enjoyed a brisk beat up to Sai Kung via Cape d’Aguilar and Shelter Island. First to the steps beside the Marine Police Station was Olivier Decamps’ Farr 40, Ramrod, executing a near-perfect drop off and waving goodbye to their runners. Media Prize for ‘Most Stylish Drop’ went to Stella, with owner Roland Buser on the helm, who swung in close enough to the wall to drop the runners without even using a dinghy.
90-something minutes later and the first runners were back, having started at sea level (obviously) and run 702m ‘up’ and 13km ‘along’.
As if to prove that much of this race is won (or lost) on the water, there was dead calm in Port Shelter by now, with incoming boats dropping off kayaks and runners a long way from the land, and outgoing boats using the paddlers to tow boats out towards the breeze.
Nick Southward, owner of J/109 Whiskey Jack, a three-time overall winner of the Four Peaks Race (is this a record?), reported that from there on 'it was an extremely functional race. We were towed out to the breeze, and then we sailed to Repulse Bay. Tick. The runners went up Violet Hill and then we sailed to Lantau. Tick. Runners away to Lantau Peak, and then a stiff (and glorious) 20-knots-on-the-nose beat back to Lamma for Mount Stenhouse. Tick, and on to the finish. Our UK Titanium sails did a magnificent job, especially on the beat to Lamma.'
Southward has a soft spot for this race. 'It’s the best race in Hong Kong. Really. It is an event that, by rights, should be attracting adventure racers from all over Asia, every year.' Olivier Decamps echoed the sentiment, saying 'It’s the best event in town. I have done it 10 times now, and it is totally addictive.'
First across the finish line 0502h next day after 19 hours sailing and running was Ramrod, closely followed by Blackjack, Stella and then Whiskey Jack, collecting the IRC ‘A’ Four Peaks Race Shield along the way – for the fourth time. Ramrod won HKPN Division A2, and Javelin (J/80) won HKPN Division B.
Full results at: http://www.abclubhk.com/Four_Peaks_Race_2015.aspx
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