San Fernando Race – 40th Anniversary

by RHKYC Media on 5 Dec 2016 The Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club has issued the Notice of Race and online registration is now open for the 2017 San Fernando Race which will start in Hong Kong on 12 April, 2017.

This will be the 40th anniversary of the iconic San Fernando 480nm Category one Offshore race. This event is run biennially under the auspices of RORC and attracts many competitors from Hong Kong and overseas; including Australia, Philippines, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Singapore.

Around 35 boats will compete under IRC (or performance handicaps), with the fleet pushing to smash the 2001 monohull record of 49h 55m 12s set by Sam Chan’s 71’ ULBD Sled, FfreeFire.

One of the first blue water classics in Asia, the first San Fernando Race came about when a group of sailors decided it was a shame to spend time and money preparing a yacht for the China Sea Race and then have to wait two years before sailing to the Philippines again.

“I remember asking why we didn’t race to the Philippines every year and being told that the wives wouldn’t like it,” recalled the late Vic Locke who took part in the first Luzon Race in his S&S 34 Doonaree. “Some of us, however, did not have such restrictions and liked going to the Philippines, but not necessarily Manila. San Fernando offered a very good anchorage, and customs and immigration facilities. It was also totally different in atmosphere from Manila.”

The 1977 race brought together six yachts for the rough passage to the Philippines, who then raced from San Fernando to Hong Kong, the opposite direction to the subsequent events. The winner was Berry Byrne in his yacht Drogheda.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnson, the first man to perform a single-handed non-stop circumnavigation of the globe in 1969 and also the oldest yachtsman at age 67 to complete an around the world solo voyage in 2006, sailed in the San Fernando Race in 1989, 1995 and returned to fire the start gun for the 1999 edition. His fleet of eight Clipper boats also took part in the 2001 race as one of their legs in their around the world yacht race. Lawrie Smith’s Maxi Rothmans which was built for the 1989/90 Whitbread Around the World Race took part in 1991 taking line honours in 2d 2h 2m.

The 2017 edition of the San Fernando race may bring about the similar tactical challenges the race is known for with seasonal north easterly winds affecting the fleet as they leave Hong Kong followed by fairer tropical conditions as they approach the Philippines. The race starts from the ‘Club Line’ off the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club’s Kellett Island headquarters in Victoria Harbour. The fleet is then taken past Waglan Island and towards the northern Philippines.

The Race not only gives sailors the opportunity to take part in an offshore sailing classic but supports the San Fernando Foundation which provides support to a local children’s home. Events for fundraising include a dinner and charity auction will take place in the lead up to the Race.