Wall Street Journal Typhoon series races 8-9

by HK Sportsboats Association on 12 Aug 2008 There was a look of shock and horror as the warning flag went up at 11.05 for the Sportsboats as the RO had picked one of the longest possible courses, and many boats hadn’t even made the start and others were drifting at a full 0.2 of a knot. “This will only take 438 hours“ said one wag, staring incredulously at the GPS.

Arch rivals Merlin and Wild at Heart were actually at the very favored pin end and pulled away evenly until Merlin got bagged and had to back up. By East Nine Pins the Longtze onslaught started with Chrisargo the first to go through. Thierry finally got past Merlin at Shek O mark but kindly waited at Fury Rocks perched on a small reef waving his arms frantically to warn of the danger.

However it was a Longtze 123 with Exocet 3rd after starting some 20 minutes late. Merlin just pipped Wild at Heart for 4th after some devious jibes in the last mile.

The race back was delayed for some time but the sea breeze filled in and we got away ½ an hour late. Once again Chisargo pulled away to win but this time with Exocet in hot pursuit. Merlin and Wild at Heart once again locked horns but Merlin read the holes better getting thro Shek O and taking R2B2 with her.

So the last race is set to be a humdinger as Chrisargo, Merlin and Wild at Heart are all pretty even on points, and basically the boat that wins will take the series.