Volvo China Coast Regatta – Day 2

by RHKYC Media on 15 Oct 2017 Day two turned into the final day of the Volvo China Coast Regatta due to Tropical Storm Khanun approaching Hong Kong.

Racing carried on as planned for the day, but as the last boats crossed the line in their final race it was announced that due to the likelihood of a Typhoon 3 signal being issued and still being in force tomorrow, all racing would be cancelled for the final day of the regatta.

A northerly breeze of 15-22kts greeted the racers as they reached the race track south east of Lamma Island this morning. IRC 0, 1, 2 and 3 were sent on two windward/leewards and an island course, with IRC Premier sailing one island course. The HKPN division sailed one windward/leeward and an island course.

All the leaders from day one of the regatta were able to maintain their leads in their divisions including Zannekin; Marcel Liedts' Ker 46 won the Volvo China Coast Regatta for second year running (and, for the record, won IRC 1 in 2015 as well). Zannekin was followed by Sam Chan’s TP52 FreeFire who had a great day taking home two bullets, allowing them to climb up the ladder after a frustrating first day on the water. Third in the division went to Shawn Kang’s Ker 46+ Lighthorse Alphaplus.

In the IRC Racer 1 division it was Volvo China Coast Regatta Race Chairman Fred Kinmonth and Nick Burns' GTS 43 Otonomos Mandrake who took home first place after an impressive run of three firsts out of six races. Otonomos Mandrake was followed by Tiffany Koo’s King Mills 40 Hero Racing Team who sailed her way to claim the other three firsts in the division.

There were plenty of broaches and a number of ripped kites across IRC Racer 2 and 3 today, which resulted in a few retirements. However it was Steve Manning and Paul O’Malley who took home the win after four wins from six races in their first regatta on board their new A40 Red Rum. Red Rum was followed by Simon Powell’s A40RC Sell Side Dream and Simon commented, “the regatta was fantastic; it is without doubt one of the premier regattas in Asia. Fantastic winds, shame we can't get the seventh race in tomorrow but all credit to the Race Officer for getting the races in over two days. We have had a great time and have enjoyed every minute of it, it was topped off with a bullet in the last race. We worked hard to try and chase Manning's new boat. It was very close racing and thoroughly enjoyable.”

With five wins out of six races Nick Southward’s J-109 Whiskey Jack is on top of IRC Racer 3. Nick remarked, “we had five bullets, and we got second I'm afraid in the last race. The regatta was absolutely brilliant. We had a fantastic time. Our only problem now is getting back to Kellett Island for the party against 30+ kts of wind. Overall it’s been a fantastic regatta, really brilliant!”

In IRC Premier Peter Churchouse’s Warwick Custom Moonblue 2 came out ahead of Alex Yu’s Bavaria 55 Clove Hitch, with a win in all of their races.

The regatta dinner and overall prizegiving will be held at Kellett Island Poolside tonight, as Hong Kong holds its breath with a possibility of a Typhoon 8 tomorrow.