Samsung 58th Festival of Sport Open Dinghy Regatta by HKSF

by HK Sailing Federation on 16 Jun 2015 Organised by the Hong Kong Sailing Federation, this annual regatta attracted almost 120 entries in five divisions and classes. Racing took place on the 13-14 June in Port Shelter with the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club Shelter Cove facility providing the regatta headquarters.

The forecast was similar for both days, with a southerly of 8 to 14kts. That prediction came true with blue skies and scattered clouds providing close to ideal conditions all weekend.

The regatta was a ranking event for the Optimist fleet as part of the Hong Kong Optimist Dinghy Association's selections for the team to represent Hong Kong at the Asian Optimist Championships in October. It was also the first selection regatta for the HKSF selections for 29er, 420 and Laser Radial teams to the ISAF Youth Worlds that will take place in December.

Race Officer Sofia Mascia was supported by a team of volunteers including participants of the HKSF's first Level 1 Mark Layer course who were getting their practical experience after a day of training earlier in the year.

Racing on day one took place north of Shelter Island. The 29ers were the first fleet to get started with a target race time of 30 min, while other classes were on a target time of 45 min. With six separate starts including a few general recalls it was just as well a completely separate finish line was being used for the first time, as this meant there could be no unnecessary interruptions to the sequence. Although only two races were scheduled for each class on day one, the RO was able to complete three for all classes except the Optimists who completed two. This would take the pressure off for day two as there was a 1500h cut off so that the prize giving could get completed in time.

Racing on day two was set up closer to the NE of Shelter Island to take advantage of the SE’ly wind. Racing was underway on time with the Optimists starting first as they had one extra race to complete. With a steady wind the only course adjustments needed was the length of the start line as the Division B and Optimists were significantly bigger fleets, requiring a start line of over 200m.

The racing was close in all fleets and in the 29ers the first two teams were exchanging places throughout. Yann d'Argenlieu and Nathan Bradley got the final bullet to secure first place ahead of Ferdinand Heldman and Natalie Chan, while Matthew Wright and Russell Aylsworth finished in third overall.

The 420 fleet was also a close battle between the top two teams, although Calum Gregor and Hugo Christensson secured three firsts to take the win ahead of the new combinations of Su Ka Chun and Tam Yu Him in second and Wong Yam and Yan Tsz Fung in third.

Racing in the Laser Radial fleet was closer than the score sheet suggests, but at the end of each race Nicholas Bezy had found his way to the front and completed a perfect score line of five bullets. Riley Cameron was second and Christopher Bezy third, filling the podium for Team J-Asia.

Division 1 included the 470 and Laser standards. Tse Sui Lun and Chik Ho Yin also recorded a perfect score sheet of five bullets ahead of their trip to Europe and the Junior World Championships in July. Eliza Ling and Mannie Kam secured second place just one point ahead of Alex Llewllyn in the Laser Standard.

Division 2 was dominated by the Laser 4.7 sailors, and saw another perfect score sheet, this time from Marian Williams. Second and third place was won by Thomas and Stephanie Norton respectively, another J-Asia podium. Foo Yuen Wai was the first 2.4mR while George Burkett and Julian Chawla were the first 2000.

The Optimist fleet was 66 boats strong with sailors also visiting from China. At the top of the fleet Duncan Gregor sailed another impressive regatta, recording four firsts and discarding a second. Thorwen Uterwaal was second and Nancy Highfield third. This was the third regatta in the selection process for the IODA Asian Optimist Championships where 7 to 10 Hong Kong sailors are expected to compete in late October.

On behalf of the Hong Kong Sailing Federation, huge thanks to the team of volunteers, the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and Hong Kong Sea School for all their support, and the Hong Kong Optimist Dinghy Association for donating prizes for the Optimist Class winners. Thanks of course also to the competitors and coaches who took part in the regatta as well as their Clubs for supporting their participation. The weekend demonstrated the ever-improving levels of competition amongst the sailors and race management in Hong Kong, completing 30 races in two days with time to spare!

More information: www.sailing.org.hk