Tomes Cup Presented by Old Mutual

by RHKYC Media on 31 Jan 2016 The omens did not look promising for the third event of the Old Mutual Top Dog Trophy Series, with Race Officer Anthony Root finding a light and unseasonal south westerly affecting Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour first thing, however by the time the first warning signal was sounded, a solid 10kt easterly had filled in which was to hold all afternoon.

In glorious sunshine, the Pandora fleet was first to go, followed by the Ruffian, Dragon and Flying Fifteen classes. Chasing them down towards the target finish time of 1630hrs were the Impala, J/80 and Etchells fleets, with five Big Boats thrown in for good measure towards the end of the start sequence.

A valiant effort by Pandora Solstice saw her hold the lead for the first lap and a half of the course, albeit with the Etchells and Big Boats making ground on her all the time. By the end of the second lap, Ruffian Schannuleke had taken over but with Dragon Mei Fei only one second adrift it was only a matter of time before the latter took a lead which she was to build on steadily until she took the finish gun at 16:30:15, only 15 seconds outside the optimum finishing time, followed by Schannuleke and Etchells Jezebel.

Big Boats Signal 8 and Ambush virtually match raced their way into the finish, with the Ker 42 finishing eighth on the water and just pipping the Mills 41 to the prize for first Big Boat.

With no protests to be heard, the prizegiving was lubricated by official beer, James Boag, and winners rewarded with Chandon and Ralph Lauren shirts provided by the supporting sponsors of the event.

Tomes Cup – Provisional Results
Boat Name Class Helm
First Place Mei Fei Dragon Karl Grebstad
Second Place Schannuleke Ruffian Bryan Tse
Third Place Jezebel Etchells Backe / Day
First Day Boat Tchaikoffsky Flying Fifteen Howard Williams
First Inshore Keelboat Solstice Pandora K W Chair
First Big Boat Signal 8 Big Boat Jacobs / McWilliam


Top Dog Trophy – Top 10 after Three Events
Boat Class Helm Pts Place
Jezebel Etchells Backe/Day 6.578 1
Full Power Flying Fifteen Sam Chan 13.451 2
Tchaikoffsky Flying Fifteen Howard Williams 17.438 3
Ambush Big Boat Isler/Taylor 29.478 4
Buster Ruffian Nick Bryan 38.307 5
Victory 9 Ruffian Li Fook Hing 47.674 6
Scallywag Ruffian Oliver Cully 58.588 7
Taxi Impala Florence Kan 64.926 8
Solstice Pandora K W Chair 74.905 9
Gambit Big Boat Mowsers 75.976 10