Aloha Round Hainan Regatta 2015 - Big boats leave for Haikou
by Carla Anselmi on 22 Mar 2015
Sixth Round Hainan Regatta offshore racing - Aloha Round Hainan Regatta 2015 Juerg Kaufmann Round Hainan Regatta
Today, much patience was needed by both the organizers and the crews of the sixth Aloha Round Hainan Regatta, as the wind in the Bay of Sanya took its time to build up. But the wait was worthwhile, and when the first starting signal was fired the breeze reached a good 10 knots and kept increasing topping 18/20 knots. The IRC 1&2 set off for the 300nm first offshore leg to Haikou whilst the IRC 3/4/5 and Fareast18 one-design classes scored two and three races respectively.
The 43- strong fleet docked out the Serenity Marina’s pontoons on time to be ready for a 10:00 start but the local thermal breeze was not. Crews and race officials were forced to stand-by until after noon to be able to set the line and get racing underway.
The IRC One and Two division took the start for the first 300nm leg to Haikou, along Hainan’s western coastline that is expected to last around three days. At mid-afternoon the position report showed that the fleet was fast sailing off Ledong City and was led by Swan 82’ UBOX, the biggest boat in the fleet and 2014 reigning champion, that will obviously fight for line honours. She was followed by the two Dubois 50’ Linshui and Sanya, having their own offshore match-race. In the smaller IRC2 class Seawolf was in the lead, with Yomovo in second and Han Jia Yi Lan in third.
Back in the Sanya Bay as the day progressed, the good north-easterly breeze and short chop brought about close and exciting racing and with more points the overall leaderboards are becoming clearer. In the competitive IRC3 class the Mills 41 Ambush had another clean score with two wins and leads with a five point margin on Shangai e ATC.
Lianchuang, a Grand Soleil 46, occupies the top spot in the IRC4 class thanks to a double second whilst in second tied at points are HNA sailing and Hainan Luke.
Finally in the IRC5 class Banshanbandao, skippered by French Laurence Nicolas, is leading but will have to fend off the attack from all Chinese crews from Hongzhou and Lan Jing to be crowned winner of the RHN regatta inshore series tomorrow.
The one-design Fareast 18 had three fought for races today, taking advantage of the good wind conditions. The first step of the podium is still occupied by TSU Primary school with seven points, in second is Black Fox while, thanks to a positive day with a first and a second, Jess climbed up to third.
Racing in Sanya resumes tomorrow, Monday 23rd, with more in-port races. The day will conclude the event’s inshore section before the IRC 3/4/5 boats leave for their own offshore leg along the Easterly coast of Hainan bound to Wanning.
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